The weekly Floridian. [volume] (Tallahassee, Fla.) 1867-19??, 1881-06-07
Albany Correspondent My Tribune.l
COmkllmg,s "Reminiscences.

In all the conversations the ex-senator has
had since lie came here a great deal has been
said which is stale and great deal also which
is not worth setting down. Some of his state
ments, however, have the interest of novelty,
and one or two may be thought surprising. He
has told the story of the nomination of Robert
son and Of the designations many times. 1t is in
substance as follows: He called at the White
House with Mr.. Plat shortly after the Inaugural
ton. They found the President overwhelmed
with people, but they had a talk over matters in
general The President said: 81 shall stand
this rabbe for week. but then shall stop it,
settle down and 60 to work." The question of
the New York customhouse was then raised,
and the President was asked whether he pro-
posed to make any change there. The Presi-
dent said mo. General Merritt has but one
year TO serve, and think he may as well serve
it out" Senator Conkling replied, =" think you
are mistaken; think you will find it is two
years" They then canvassed the dates of Gen.
Arthur's supercedure, &c. and found that there
were two years yet. This seemed 10 bring q
change in the Presidents mind They parted
with an understanding, as Mr.. Conkling and
Mr. Platt regarded 1t, that if any change was
contemplated they should be informed The
next thing Mr. Conkling knew of the collector
ship matter was paper laid on his desk bearing
the words: For Collector, William H. Rob.
ertson" He went over to Mr.. Plat and asked
if he had been consulted. He had not neither
had Mr.. James Then the representations de-
tailed in the letter of resignation were made
Mr.. Conkling has also made the statement,
which will perhaps surprise some, that he did
not approve OF the union of the Republican Sen
ators with Malone. He has stated here in the most
positive terms that be advised against the ALI
ance as unwise and likely to prove troublesome,
but the Administration favored il and he yielded
his opposition. Yet when the Robertson matter
came up the Administration apparently did all
in its power 10 embarrass the Republicans in
their union with Mr.. Malone by constantly
sending nominations and giving the Democrats
every few days fresh excuses for their demand
10 go into executive session. Mr.. Conkling said
that If there had been clean docket the dead
lock need not have lasted and the organization
Of the Senate could have been completed.
But the most unexpected statement of all is
that il was Mr.. Plat who originated the policy
ofresignation. Mr.. Conkling has told his friends
that shortly before Judge Robertson was con-
flrmed Mr.. Plat assured him that an adjust
ment of the whole matter was near at hand
Mr.. Conkling gave no hint as to what the pro-
posed adjustment was, But soon afler and on
the day on which, at later hour, the letter of
resignation was written, Mr.. Plat came into his
room looking, as he said, "all gone" The prom
Used adjustment had fallen through the Presi-
dent had reced,d. Then Mr.. Plat said, II
shall resign and state my side Of this case in the
Senate next Wednesday" Ny Informant states
that Mr.. Conkllng said, II, has entered my
head before 10 resign If you resign I'll resign,
too Mr.. Conkling added after moment, ''but
you can't resign now and state your case next
Wednesday In The election Of Senators Tuesdays
count. The Legislature might have adjourned
Thursday, and II would be too late to fill the
vacancy the better way will DO 10 write q
letter and forward II at once" This was agreed
upon and Mr.. Conkling shut himself In his room
and then and there rapidly wrote the letter ad-
dressed TO Governor Cornell. This, according
to Mr. Conkling himself. 10 the history Of the
famous designations