The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1881-05-21
Mr. CONKLING,s RESIGNATION.

The resignation of the two New York
Senators, on Monday last, says the n, Y.
Sun, is highly sensational proceeding
There are two arguments which may be
offered 10 justify this manifestation; and
which is the truer one we shall not attempt
to conjecture.
The first is that, after tour years Of con-
Aict with one Republican Administration
which he despised, Mr. Conkling finds an
other four years of similar conflict forced
upon him by another Republican admins
trstion which he especially elected, and
r which he is also compelled to despise. Such
conflict, if pursued, can only destroy the
Republican party; and for catastrophe so
grave he is not willing in any degree to be
responsible. Accordingly, filled with sor-
row aud disgust, he turns his back on ac-
tive politics, and returns to the practice of
his profession, leaving to others, who think
themselves more competent. the work Of
legislation and of party leadership.
The other argument is equally startling
i, and equally original. According to this
second view Of the case,,a the Republican
Administration and the Republican ma
jority of the Senate have resolved to ap-
point TO thatefice in that State which con-
trolls the opinions and the votes of the
greatest number of men, determined and
uncomnromising antagonist of Mr.. Conk-
ling and his followers, an antagonist who
is az thesa time the most cunning and
the most pertinaclous Of politicians and as
this seems to involve policy of unsparng
hostility toward the two Senators, it becomes
proper for them to return their trusts into
the hands Of the Legislature in order that
II may either adopt and commend this poll
oy; or, on the other hand, may condemn
the policy, and set the seal of its approba-
tiNn upon the two Senators by re electing
them once more to the Offices which they
have now resigned
This last argument is the one that i:
made prominent in the remarkable letter
sent with the resignation ofsenators Conk.
ling and Piatt to Gov. Cornell. This letter
deals almost wholly with the conduct o
Garfield respecting the nomination of Mr.
Robertson to the Collectorship. That con
duet is regarded by the two Senators from
this Stale as an unwarranted assumption o
executive power, as an attempt to reduc
the Senate to servility, and as an ntsrfer
enee with their own proper responsibility
Among its interesting features rs letter G
remonstranee addressed 10 Garfield over tn
signatures of Vice President Arthur, Post
master-G General James, and the two Reput
liean Senators IRON New York. After eS
posing the Presidents action, and defcndin
their own, in the letter to Gov. Cornell
Senators Conkling aud Platt announce the
resignation, saying they Submit the who
matter 10 the power 10 which alone we Al
bound and ever ready TO bow"
According TO the terms Of the law, Il
bslloting for successors to the two Senate
must begin in the Legislature on TueSds
Of next week. The Republican majority
that august body viii then hsye an oppo
tunity 10 express themselves in the me
solemn manner upon the interesting que
tios. II they approve OF Garfield and
his course, they will decline to re-elect N
Conkling aud Mr.. Plat. II, on the 9th
hand, they disapprove of Garfield and a
prove Of Mr.. Conklng and Mr.. Plat th
will say so by sending them back to I
Senate in triumph.
Il is a novel, as well as a very far-reae
ing complication, which Mr.. Conkling
SOW added to the previous difficulties of I
Republiean situationi and all ntelligc