Democratic Sentinel, Volume 5, Number 14, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 May 1881 — GARFIELD—CONKLING [ARTICLE]

GARFIELD—CONKLING

Political Circle* in Washington Excited Over the Withdrawal of the New York Nomination*. [ Associated Press Telegram. ] Tho message of (he President withdrawing the New York nominations which are regarded as belonging to tho stalwart wing of the party is the only subject of public interest here. Everybody is talking and speculating about it. A Western Associated Press reporter, in seeking reliable information, saw representative mor of both sides. The President is firm and determined. He has been urged by close friends for some time to take aggressive measures, but hesitated, hoping that some way of maintaining harmony in the party, consistent with his honor and dignity, might be found. Herould not surrender any particle of his executive prerogative, so he has held, by withdrawing Robertson or consenting to eny compromise. He expressed himself on all occasions as anxious to do full justice to both wings of the New York Republicans. When Senator Conkling carried through the Republican caurfus his policy, which was directly antagonistic to that of the administration, with regard to Robertson, the President felt compelled to take some action. Vice President Arthur and Senator Platt were at the White House this morning, by the President’s request, and he talked frankly to them. When the President learned positively that nothing short of permitting Robertson’s nomination to lie unacted upon would Satisfy Senator Conkling, he informed Mr. Arthur what be intended to do. When tbe me ssage was opened in the Senate Mr. Arthur was in tbe Vice President’s room, in the rear of the Senate chamber. A Senator went in and told him of the message. Arthur replied that he had been expecting that message. Senator Hale said to-night that the President ought to have taken this step several weeks ago. The President’s purpose is declared to be to fill all the New York Federal offices with, men who will not fight the administration for Conkling. He does not intend to make war on Conkling in New York, but at the same time he will not put power in Conkling’s hands for him to use against the administration. When the message was read in the Senate Conkling was reading a paper and did not look up. He knew beforehand what it was. His friendSj who have talked with him to-night, say he is not dismayed ; that he is confident tho stalwarts will rally closer around ; that he considers the message as an implied warning to Republican Senators that if they don’t vote for Robertson their patronage will be cut off, and that “honorable Republican Senators can’t be bulldozed in that way.” Senators generally agree that this forces the fight on Robertson's nomination, and tho» who are for Robertson claim he will be confirmed next week and that he will get not lest than forty-five votes. The Presideut’s aggrossive stand has had the effect of bringing wave£ ing Democratic Senators to hit side. Toe Dem ocrats all applaud the President’s course, and one of the most experienced Senators on that tide said to-night that not over three Demo cratic votes will be cast against Robertson. Another effect has been to make Republican Senators speak out more freely, as each feels that he mu'at support his side' of this issue. Republicans who warmly espouse one side or the other talk of the injury the fight will do to the party in New York, but cooler heids point to the former contest with the Now York Custom House, and predict that this one will terminate similarly ; that the defeated side will submit, and po great break in the party will be caused. [Telegram to Chicago Inter Ocean.] Henceforward Mr. Conkling and his followers may be relied upon to fight the administration, and the President has thrown down tbe gage of battle. In conversation with a"n intimate friend of the President, who speaks by authority, the reasons which impelled the President to withdraw the nominations were given. This gentleman said: “ The President has not taken this step without deliberation. It is in no spirit of revenge that he has recalled the names of Mr. Conkling’s friends. The caucus had decided not to consider the nomination of Mr. Robertson. He alone of all the New York nominations was singled out for destruction. It is no secret that as soon as the present executive business is disposed of the Senate will adjourn sine die, or the members will go away and leave the Senate without a quorum. Mr. Conkling would have had his friends installed in office and the one man representing the independent element in State politics would have been laid aside until next winter. The question was one of Senatorial courtesy versus executive right. By withdrawing the nominations of Mr. Conkling’s friends the President has put .all the vacant offices in the State on an even footing. All Conkling’s men will go in th* same boat with Mr. Robertson.”