The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1877-12-14
Current Gossip Among the Politi-
clans and Quidnuncs.
MORE OPPOSITION TO NOMINATIONS.
Confirmation Of Judge Baxter and Indian
Commissioner Hayt.
THE SILVER QUESTION IN THE SENATE.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT

WASHINGTON, Dec. Is. 1871.
THE REJECTION OF THE NEW YORK APPOINT
MENTs-How THE MATTER Is REGARDED
INSIDE AND OUTSIDE OF ADMINISTRATION
CIRCLES.
"what does the administration think OF its defeats"
was asked to-day Of q friend of the President
SWELL" he replied, ssthc administration is Ii tile
disappointed that the Senate does think its New
York nominations good enough to deserve connrma-
ton The President found 1t desirable part his
public duty TO try TO improve the management Of the
biggest business establishment In the Countrywide
New York Custom House. He thought 1t could ana
ought TO be improved and selected three men-Roose-
vet Merritt and Prncs-who, he believed would carry
into effect his wish the Custom House on
the best business principles He sent their
the Senate, which, under the constitution, In to aid
him making such selections The Senate declares that
Two Of the men ne selected not good enough
men for the purpose 1t be supposed that the
Senate disapprovcs the Presidents wish and determi-
nation to improve the management OF the Custom
House. especially after the developments the Jay
investigation In effect then, the Senate by its action
yesterday said to the President We approve of your
desire for better management In the New York Gus.
tom House as . matter OF course; think one OF the
men you have nominated Mr.. Merritt, is a 1T person
to undertake the work, wo, therefore confirm him.
AZ to tho other two they are in judgment good
enough. and we return you their that you may
try again That Is literal statement OF the case"
faid this republican, 'or OF the President can
not suppose that the Senate sitting judges OATH
rejected his nominations for any other cause than that
In Its belief they were not It, Naturally the President
Will Try again. He may not agree with tho Senate's
Judgment on Messrs Roosevelt and Prince, bat OF
course Its objection is conclusivc"
That seems TO be the ADMINISTRATORS view Of tho
matter But 1t crops out to-day that tho admnistra-
ton up TO noon yesterday confidently believed the
nominations would be confirmed. One Cabinet officer
reckoned confidently six but more probably
twelve, majority for Mr. Roosevelt. Another fancted
that Mr. Blaine would support all three OF the nomina
tons Such wild guessing, of course, make the vet
eran politicians here laugh scornfuy; but It must be
said that the administration gave itself absolutely no
concern about the fate OF It's nominees, and Its
ignorance OF coming events came naturally from its
non-interferencc IN tho matter. Tho President APP
pears to hold If his friends correctly represent him.
mat II was his duty to select the best within
knowledge for these New York appoin tments;
but, having done SO, 1t also his duty
10 submit them to the judgment OF the Senate
without the least influence interference on his
part Report says that to-day, though disappointed
he Is not cast oown, and he WILL soon as be 0nds
IT convenient, send in other Names in the hope that
they will have better luck 1t Is probably the first
time within the remembrance Of the Oldest politicians
here that an administration hss entirely abstained
from Efforts to get its nominations confirmed. The
Presidents friends say that he consistently on
the theory that the Executive and the Senate being
made by the constitution bodies acting nty
,f each other in the matter OF nominations he will
not tolerate Senatorial dctation influence In regard
to appointments. and he holds himself equally bound
to refrain from influencing Senators who to Sit as
judges OF his nominations.
Meantime there noticeable here sudden outbreak
against the Secretary OF state Democrats who yes
terday helped reject Roosev Prince say to-day
that 1t was mere fight between Mr.. Conkling and
Mr. Evarts, "and In such a. fight l am with Mr..
Conking," said they to-day The Secretary of State
meantime, Is tranquil, and is understood TO say
he thinks the world big enough for several people,
and by no means believes. some others appear to-
that great State like New York is like the French
mans idea Of goose-a little big for one man but
not big enough for two.
Some OF those who have opposed the New York ap-
peintments remark that II tho Presii ion means civil
service reform In earnest why does he coDnne his
efforts TO tho New York Custom House2 Why attempt
to rsm0ve Messrs. Arthur and Cornell, but leave
In his place Simmons In Boston, Yeappont
Tiley Postmaster In st. Louis, as notori-
Gus political manipulator Simmons, or
substitute Smith for Jones In Chicago Reed for Dow
ling in Toledo, or Fzsimmons for Smythe az Marshal
In Georgia. Nor are these questions very easy for
friends OF the administration to answer. There IL
also cry that the result OF the reJscons yesterday
means perpetuaton OF the vicious system called the
'courtesy OF the Senate" but this will prove incor
rect The power OF any Senator TO con troll the nom
nations from his State broken down Tor the present
Smith was confirmed as Collector OF Chicago against
the protests OF both the Illinois Senator's and party
bonds loose majorities too slender to en-
force this custom at present.