The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1871-01-14
WASHINGTON.
The Question OF Confirming Ad.
miral Porter Hangs Fire.

WASHINGTON, Jan 13.-The Senate
held an executive session Yesterday,
lasting over an hour, for the con.idera-
tion Of the nomination of Admiral
Porter. Nothing new in the early part
Of the session, and the same old argu-
ments for aud against his confirmation
were made by his friends and opponents.
Mr.. Morton, Mr.. Ryan, Mr.. Abbott
and others advocated the confirmation
as an act OF justice to brave officer,
holding that if the President could
afford to nominate Admiral Porter, the
Senate could afford to confirm him,
and that personal consideration ought
not TO influence the members. Towards
the close OF the session, the question
was raised that if the Senate failed to
confirm Admiral Porter he would be out
OF the service, as he had been
constitutionally appointed, and his
previous commission as vice
Admiral had been vacated by the
appointment of Mr.. Rowan. This
was new view Of the case, and it was
decided by the best lawyers In the Sen
ate to be very clear that the af.
frmative Of the question is the right
one, as Rowan has been nomina-
ted for Vice Admiral, and if he
should be confirmed to Porter's
old position before the case OF Por-
ter should be acted upon, and Porter
subsequently rejected, he could not 90
is back to his former rank, which has
been constitutionally filled by Rowan.
lie would thus be out of service. 1t
was not unusual for the Senate to lay
aside one nomination and take up an
other lower down on the calendar.
This view of the case will operate in
Porter favor, as Senators are not dis
posed to legislate him out Of office.
Were it not for this question he would
be rejected by large vote. When the
subject had been discussed for some
time, Porters friends suggested an ad
iournment but his opponents refused
until vote was taken, and his friends,
by small majority, carried their point.
II is understood vote will be taken to-
day, and the opinion is general that he
will be confirmed by small majority.
The San Domingo Commission.
Bishop Simpson, who was rendered
position on the commission to San Do
mingo, is forced to decline on account
OF the suit in which he is interested re-
lating to the Methodist Book Concern.
II is believed Hon. VIM. E. Dodge has
declined, and the third member of the
commission is in doubt. 1t is said that
it has been rendered to Bishop Ames.
Frederick Douglas was with the Presi-
dent more than an hour yesterday.
Rumor again couples his name with
the commission. 1t is yet possible that
Dodge may accept The question will
he decided to-day.
General seigel Won't Accept.
a letter has been received from Gen.
eral Seigel Withdrawing his acceptance
of the appointment Of secretary to the
Commissioners to Dominica on the
ground, it is said. that he is not as suf-
fciently versed in the Spanish language
as is required by the joint resolution.
Admiral Porter Confirmed.
The Senate was in executive session
for four hours this evening on the nom
ination Of Vice Admiral Porter to be
Admiral, and confirmed it by vote of
80 to 10. The Senate also confirmed
the following nomination: Mortimer
D. Leggett, Ohio, Commissioner of
Patents.