Gold Hill Daily News

The Rule of Senatorial Courtesy

NEW YORK, April 19.—Herald Washington special, after describing what is known as "Senatorial courtesy" and the long-timed efficacy of it, says: If this report, which comes from Southern Senators, is correct, as it probably is, it would seem that it will insure the rejection, among others, of Robertson to the Collectorship of New York, whose confirmation has been hitherto considered certain by the Administration. It is held by the Senators who favor and are part of this combination that the President, while he can nominate to office, can appoint only "by and with the advice and consent of the Senate," and that the Senate may, if the majority chooses, reject a nomination at the request of the two Senators from the State in which the nominee is to act, even without reference to a committee or any further question raised. They add that the power over appointments given to the Senate, in co-operation with the President, may be rightly referred to the two Senators from the State, because they are supposed to be most familiar with the residents of their own States and with the wishes of their people.

In nominating Robertson for Collector at New York the President gave him to understand that the Custom House must not be used to create discord in the Republican ranks, but to contribute to Democratic defeat.