Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-14
The Senate's Conflict With the
Administration.

Especial Despatch to the Boston Daily Advertiser.
WASHINGTON, Dec. l2,.-The long pending
battle between the senate and sdministi alton is
over, and the administration is defeated. After
six hours in executive session the nominations of
Messrs. Roosevelt and Prince for collector and
surveyor respectively, of New York, were defeat
ed this evening by vote of 81 to %, six repubi-
cans OILY voting to sustain the President as fol.
lows: Hoar, Dawes, Burnside, Conover, Chris
tisncy and Matthews; while of the democrats
Messrs. Eaton, Dennis, Cockrell, White, Maxey,
Mcdonald, Mcpherson and Thurman voted with
Conklng in favor of rejecting the nomina atoms or
paired with opposing republicans A motion was
made to remove the injunction of secresy on the
vote, but it went over on objection and will
come up for action at the next executive session.
No objection having been made to General Mer-
ritts nomination as naval officer, he was confirm.
ed by substantial unanimous vote
The discussion, which was limited solely to the
two New York nominations, was at times exceed
ingy earnest and hostile, and a bitter feeling
towards the President was displayed. Bavard
opened the debate by a strong argument in sup
port of the Presidents absolute and complete
control. under the Constitution, of the whole
VI appointments anu removals, dnG urged
that the senate could not properly inquire into
his reasons, but could only confirm or reject lie
referred to former investigation Of the New
York custom house, by the committee of which
he was member, and said it was then proved that
the custom house was a gigantic political ma
chine. Senator Burnside followed in support of
the Presidents position and in favor of the pend
Jog nominations Senator Gordon also sustained
Bayard. and made the longest speech of the day
except Conklng's, lie said this was not, and
ought not to be party question that for Offices
so high and responsible the only desire of all
good citizens should be to select the best men,
and that the proper collection Of the revenue was
more important than any mere party cons dera-
tons. Furthermore, he believed the New York
officials ought 10 be changed. Corruption had
thriven under Arthur and Cornell. until the whole
republican party was infected and honeycombed.
Continuing in criticism Of the republicans, Gen.
eral Gordon's remarks were arrested by Mr.
Blaine, who made vigorous and earnest defence
of the party and Of the present officials of the
custom house
He claimed that their removal was not civl-ser-
vice reform, either in fact in spirit. They were
able, honest and efficient, and had the full conf.
dence OF the people aud the party in New York
lie spoke of his long and intimate personal rela.
tons with Messrs. Arthur and Cornell. declaring
that officials in the service were more honest or
capable. For once Blaine and Conkling forgot
old scores and joined forces against the common
enemy. Conkling did not speak until near the
close of the session, and made scathipg and
merciiess arrangement of the President and his
cvil-service reform policy. He review fully all
the circumstances attending the ATTEMPTED chang.
es in the New York custom house and endeay.
ored to show that no charges had been sustained
against the integrity or efficiency of the incum.
bepts, and that their removal during good behav.
ior and before the expiration of their official term
was square violation of all pretenson or profes.
sons OF reform in the civil service
CoDkllng had the assurance of victory IN his "a.
vor, having made that practically certain before
the session opened, and in his speech was at times
defiant IN his illusions to the administration. lie
reviewed the work of the Jay commission. 10
which reference had been made by Senator Cor
don, ard declared that the whole investigation
was inspired by hostility to him aud led by a man
who aspiied to be himself collector He showed
that the reports Of the commission were bundle
OF misstatemenss and failures, aud that ii was a
mere cover Tor promoting an advance upon his DO.
ucal fortunes. He declared that this contest was
not of his own seeking, but that, being in it, he
proposed to make the fight 10 the best of his ab-
ty, and to defend the traditions and the princ.
pies Of the republican party.
The principal defence of the President on the
republican side was by Senators Hoar (who spoke
about an hour and Matthews, though Conover
| ID lew remarks, stated that he should vote to
confirm the nominations. He kept his promise,
ana after the session was over said he was glad
that Conkling had won the fight. There is much
interest tonight to learn the next move of the ad
ministraton.
The following is the vote in detail on the con.
frmaiion OF Roosevelt as collector:
fRAs-Bailey, Bsrnum, Bsyard, Beck, Chris
tiancy, Coke Conover Dawes. Eustis.
Garland, Gordon, Harris. Hereford, Hill, Hoar,
johnson, Jones OF Fla, Herman, McCreary. Mat.
thews, Morgan, Randolph. Ransom, Salisbury
-25
NAYs-Alson, Anthony, Blaine, Booth, Bruce
Cameron of Penn. Cameron of Wis, Chaffec
ConkIinR, Davis of H., Dorsey, Eaton, Edmunds
Ferry, Hamlin, Howe, ingalls,, Jones of Nevada
Kellogg Kirkwood, Mcmillan, Mitchell, Morrill,
| Oglesby, Patterson, Plumb, Rollins Sargent
Spencer, Saunders, Teller-3l.
According to the goosebone theory as laid dowr
by Kentucky interpreters, December will be
mild month, but about the first of January W,
shall have extremely cold weather.