The Waco daily examiner. [volume] (Waco, Tex.) 187?-1888, 1882-03-09
CoNKLTNGs DECLINATION.

Ex-senator ConklIng has formally
rendered his declinatiop of the place on
the supreme bench offered by the Presi-
dent and the senate. Twice has Mr..
Conkljng refused an honor that almost
any lawyer in the United States would
consider well worth the best exertions of
lifetime. In 1874 General Grant
found the chief justiceship vacant by
reason of the death of Salmon P.
+. Chase. He nominated Conkling, and
the then senator declined. In that in
stance the country was not greatly as
/ tonished. Conkling had Just been re-
/ elected to the senate after an honorable
service of six years. He bad won the
leadership Of his party in the senate
and at the very least had brilliant leg
Islative career assured. More than this,
Grants second term was closing, and it
was hardly year until the meeting Of
the republican national convention.
Who knew what might happen then
Blaine was beset with troubles and
Hayes was certainly not thought Of.
There were many cogent reasons-as
politics go-why Conkling should de-
cline. This time the situation was
changed. Left out by the national con-
vention of '75; routed Through Grant, |
at Chicago in 1880; refused vindication
by his own state in 16S1-there were
many who believed Conkling would |
accept the honorable retirement from /
active political life offered by place on
The supr, me bench and accept the
iudgeship. Again he has declined and |
the public is left to draw its own con-
clusions. Two theories, and only two, |
are open to conjecture. Mr.. Conkiing
really desires to build up his pri-
vate fortune through his professional
efforts, or he is biding his time to re-
enter political life and has no idea Of
being hampered by the Jude al ermine
Very naturally there Is criticism Of the
President for nominating man to such
an important position without knowing
whether he would accept the place. ,
Critics recall the nomination of Morgan .
10 the treasury portfolio, only to be |
Y tLdrawn on his Geclination, and re- t
placed by Folger 1t is fair to presume l
however, that the President acted in
rood faith There IS an utter lack of
Udence to the contrary. 1t will be t
Irged, too, that Mr.. Conkling, knowing J
lis ultimate determination, should have I
Ieclined at the outset aud spared the !
enate the useless formality of confirma- L
ION. It should be remembered that t
is a man who has never feared L
o measure his strength. He has never =
hrank from judgment on his acts OF his j
bility. A declinatiOn prior TO the action L
+ the senate would have carried with it >
suspicion that lie feared defeat and "
le onus Of such a procedure would have {,
cen just about as heavy as though he II
ad actually failed to secure contirma- II
on. In abiding tho test he did as any n
lucky man would hive done and he W
on, He gets as much honor as though -
q had gone on the bench and is left free
pursue hls OWL plans, whatever they ,
ay be. The country viii not be bereft
yer his declinatiou. There is still
bod judicial material left and it
to be hoped the President will
'lect a capable lawyer, who is also
n honest and well-balanced man, will
lg to go on the supreme bench and send
l his name to the senate with as little
clay as practicable. This ConkIing
pisode has not done any damage and
as been rather interesting than other :
Use, but it is sufficient in the way of
'enic and sentimental entertainment {
nd business should succeed it. The
lpreme court needs the associate JUS
ce and it is the Presidents duty to fur
sh him. -