 Garfield 's appointment of James infuriated Conkling , a factional opponent of the Postmaster General , who demanded a compensatory appointment for his faction , such as the position of Secretary of the Treasury . The resulting squabble occupied much of Garfield 's brief presidency . The feud with Conkling reached a climax when the president , at Blaine 's instigation , nominated Conkling 's enemy , Judge William H. Robertson , to be Collector of the Port of New York . This was one of the prize patronage positions below cabinet level , and was then held by Edwin A. Merritt . Conkling raised the time @-@ honored principle of senatorial courtesy in an attempt to defeat the nomination , to no avail . Garfield , who believed the practice to be corrupt , would not back down and threatened to withdraw all nominations unless Robertson was confirmed , intending to " settle the question whether the President is registering clerk of the Senate or the Executive of the United States . " Ultimately , Conkling and his New York colleague , Senator Thomas C. Platt , resigned their Senate seats to seek vindication , but found only further humiliation when the New York legislature elected others in their places . Robertson was confirmed as Collector and Garfield 's victory was clear . To Blaine 's chagrin , the victorious Garfield returned to his goal of balancing the interests of party factions , and nominated a number of Conkling 's Stalwart friends to offices . 
