Messrs. Conkling and Platt, the Senators from New York. who
resigued rather than allow the President to distribute his New York patronage without their consent, have sustained a severe defeat. The ultimate ballot has not yet been reached,. but it is known that the State Legislature refuses by two to one to re-elect them to the Senate, and will send up two friends of the President. The conjoined vote amoug the Republicans alone is 72 to 35 against Conkling. This vote is of great importance, because it enables the President to go on with a. Civil-Service reform. Hitherto, the Senators have claimed the patronage of their States, and when opposed have com- bined to reject the President's nominees ; but this is hencefor- ward impossible, the people having declared for the President, their direct representative. The effect of this will be to make the Senators wiling to vac for appointment by competition and a permanent Civil Service, as the only guarantee against an abuse of the patronage which they are no longer to share.
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