New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-28
TIE BOSTON COLLECTORSHTP.
THE FIGHT ENDED.

HE
SIMMONS FINALLY CoNFIRMED-GEN. BUFFERS
ANALOGOUS LOBBYING WINS THE DAY-sENAToR
BOUTWELL, DEFEATED AND DIsHEARTENED-CoL-
IECToR SIMMONS CONGRATULATED.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
W.s4IyGroN. Feb 27.-The result of the Simmons
FIGHT il at last known and Gen. Butler adds another
mime to his cap Of victory His success was not
the result of accident, but the fruit of deliberate,
prolonged exhaustless, reckless. courageous, and
well directed work. Yesterday when the Executive
session closed Mr. Butler was virtually defeated
and the responsibility of New-Engand politics was
still in the ascendant Nobody. not even Simmons
himself who has been on the ground and working
with great sagacty, pretended to believe that there
was any hope for his continuation. HIS friends
smoke of the possibility Of the return of his name
by the President in case he was rejected; but even
this was urged with sort Of assurance which for
bodies a defeat.
Butler, however, followed out his instincts and
his policy to the last He never admits that fight
s lost until the battle has taken place. and he re-
Taxed none of his nerve, bis impudence, or his de-
termination until the Executive session called at
4 o'clock to-day No criminal in search of bail was
more busy dnring the long hours Of the night than
was Simmons his friends and supporters, yester-
day. His carriage was the last to seek
its shelter last night and the first
to start the echoes Of the streets this morning As
early as o'clock Gen. Butler was at the residences
of Senators, and if he had seen hundred thousand
dollar fee at the close Of to-days contest he could
not have worked with moro diligence An hour
before the Senate met his anxious face was per-
spring in the Senate Chamber, and it was the most
prominent il not the most pleasing sight that
met the gaze of the galleries until the session was
closed.
The country might be in barter at the House end
Of the CAPITOL, the Geneva Award might be in dan
GER the Frankng bill might want support, and even
the Sanbom contracts might be annulled-it was all
the same to Mr.. Butler. He was deyotng himself to
the Simmons business. He was not without assist
ance, slight as it was. Mr.. Samuel Hooper was his
faithful SQUIRE and he at least worked as faithfully
as his master if not as efectuay.
Mr. Butler after the assembling Of the Senate
first assaulted the honest yeoman of Kentucky. Mr.
McCreery whom he led into corner OF the chamber
and talked into his ear sweet words In Slmmonss
praise. Next be took Mr. Sherman into the cloak
room. and soon after led Mr.. Hamilton of Texas
willing captive Next he beseged Mr. Buck
,ngham, then Mr.. Fenton, then Mr.. West.
and 80 followed nearly every Senator
upon the floor. So yigilant and 80 earnest
was he in the prosecution of his task that he forgot
alike the dignity of the Senate Chamber and tho
was twice called to order for loud talking. When
the time came for the Senate to 20 into secret ses
sion he turned his back upon the presiding officer
with regret and silently passed into the corridor.
He seemed sure Of his victory.
Every deceit subterfuge, and pretense had been
resorted to; every lobbyist who could control
vote had been set at work, and such shameless
lobbying had never shamed the Senate a. was
apparent to the most innocent OF Observers. Never
since the personal efforts Of the Senate in behalf OF
the Santo Domingo job, by the President was such
an exhibition as that of Messrs Butler and Hooper.
in taking advantage Of their privileges OF the foor
to beg barter and fight for the votes OF Senators.
The contest was directed with wonderful sagacity
and precision, and il is needless to say that it won,
with Gen. Grant at one end Of tho avenue and Gen.
Butler at the other. Massachusetts, people begin to
think that there is little need to enter the lists on
behalf of reform and responsibility. The discussion
to-day was not long, but very decided. The
opponents Of Simmons early saw that the job had
been set up against them. Mr.. Boutwell,,
who has favored and opposed Simmons by
turns was in great fever. He regretted that the
subject had not been disposed Of yesterday, for hs
feared the power OF the Essex statesman. He op-
posed adjournment yesterday for be knew that il
he could get the vote of quorum Simmons would
be beaten, and he uncertain of to-day. At the
discussion this afternoon he weakened. There
was no stalwart fighting, and all dur
ing the session he seemed broken and
defeated. There were two or three who joined him
in speaking against the confirmation. and all allowed
heartier disposition for fight than he. He had
trusted too much 10 his position - the only Admin
istYAtioa Senator from Massachusetts, and - Gen-