New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-02-25

passed
THE BOSTON COLLECTORSHIP.
EXCITEMENT AMONG NEw-ENGIAND PEOPLE OVER
sIMMoNs's NoMINATIoN-AS INFLUENTIAL DKLE-
CATION FROM BOSTON CALLS ON THE PRESIDENT
AND REQUESTS ITS WITHDRAWAL.
lBY TELEGRAPH THE rRIBUEE.l
WASHINGTON. Feb 24.-Probably no nomination
ever made by the President has excited more resent
ment among the people of the section interested than
that of Simmons for Collector of the Port OF Boston,
From the day it was sent TO the Senate, the hostility
against il has been very strong and it is increasing
IN power daily. At first the people of Boston con-
tented themselve with sending kilograms protesting
against the nomination, and urging the President
to withdraw it and the Senate to reject it, The
politicians began to take lively interest in it. and
delegations representing various shades OF politics
and business began to gather here some urging the
rejection of Simmons and others favorng it, Tele-
grams continued to pour in upon the President and
upon the several Senator'S and Representatives from
Massachusetts, and the excitement became almost
as strong among New-England people here as at
home.
The contest to-day is at its hight, and from its in
tensty il is plain TO see that 1t cannot last much
longer. delegation composed of about q dozen
gentlemen, representing many millions Of capital,
selected from the membership of the Commercial
Club of Boston, rived here this morning to oppose
the confirmation. Among the number were the fol-
lowing who stand at the head Of business in Boston,
viz: Ex-GOv VIM. Clailin, j. NJ Forbes w. V.
Hutohlns, T. Albert Taylor Isaac Taylor, VIM 2.
Kennard Edward Page, George p. Dewey,
and Edward w. Kinsey. The first duty of
this delegation was to call the
President. They represented to him that they rep
resented every commercial interest in Boston, all of
which were opposed to Mr.. Simmons. They felt it
their duty to give the President true understand
ing of the condition of the public mind, and hoped
he would see the pTopriety of recalling the nOmina
ton The President informed the delegation that II
he had thought the nomination would have pro-
voked so much opposition he should not have made
il, but il having been made On wha' he regarded
as suitable recommendations, he did not feel at lib
ery TO recall 1t except upon the request of those re-
commencing it.
The delegation are very indignant at the fact that
the nomination is kept in the Senate by four MEM
hers of the Massachusetts, delegation in Congress for
the benefit Of in spite of the opposition of nine
1t is claimed that the only members of the delega
ton in favor of Smmons's confirmation are
Messrs Boutwell,, Butler, Hooper and Burlington, and
that the remaining nine are either actively hostile
OF quietly opposed TO the confirmation. MI Pierce,
one of the Boston members Is very fierce in bis hos
tility and nearly all think that Mr. Butler has I'M
warrantably interiered in district with which be
has nothing to do Mr.. Croker has been portion
Of the time neutral il is claimed by some OF his
friends that he has been alternately on both sides.
The members of the Commercial Club were at the
Capitol soon after the opening Of the session. and
called on the several Massachusetts members, In
Guiding Senator Boutwell, They seemed 10 have
learned early in the day that the whole of the re-
sponsibility rested, not with the members of the
House. with the Senate a body, but with Sen
ator Boutwell,. They were soon informed of what
is indeed true that if Mr.. Boutwell, favors the nOm-
nation of Mr. Simmons he will be promptly confirmed,
and that if he opposes the nomination it will be
rejected Therefore the Boston gentlemen made
formidable effort on the Administration Senator,
but it is not ascertained that any effect was pro-
duoed They subsequently called Gen. Butler,
who took them to his ,the Judiciary Committee
rpom and q long conference followed. He did not
express sorrow for what no had done, nor did
he offer any compromise or Withdrawal. DE
was very polite and friendly in bis CONVEX
sation and expressed great surprise that the
nomination was not received in more friendly
spirit The Committee were gwen no reason TO
hone that any change would he made and. having
done all they could do in presenting the case to the
President and Mr.. Boutwell,, they Will return to
Boston tomorrow night.
A suggestion IL made 10y a certain very Influential
gentleman outside OF public life, that compromise
Clafin to the COllectOrship, and VIM. E. Chandler
of New Hampshire TO be Naval Officer III place of
ex- Gov. Hartman of New Hampshire, who has been
several years III office.