The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-11-02
A CONTEST ~ THE SENATE
The First step In nm Active Campaign a rainst
Ivnxr.,s Appointments.

WASHINGTON, Nov. Hitherto the only
weapon used in checking action on Haycs's ap-
pointments has been delay. The first step In
nm nctive campaign Of different order was
taken To. day by Senator Iamln in bis capacity
as Chairman Of the Committee on Post Offices
and Post Roads. In the short executive session
which followed the regular meeting ~ the Sem
ate. Mr. Hamlin asked in behalf OF his commit
toe that all nominations to Post Ofiices made
before tho term Of the previous Postmastcrs
had expired be referred back to the committee
except whore such removals had been for cause
expressed. Tho committee wished to examine
into the reasons for the removals. senator
Hamin said As Senator lnmlin has the next
scat to Senator Conkling. and has vcrv similar
idcns about the right and duty Of oil American
citlzcns to take part in political life this ma
nuuvrc to-day is currently credited to tho
senior Senator from New York 1t fits prccise-
~ every case but onc-Mcrrit's appointment to
succeed Sharpe as Surveyor OF the Port OF New
York. the term Of the latter having expired last
March. As the Administration Is work
ing by theory. upon the principle OF n
reform Of the civil service and IL
required hy law to- make no removals except Tor
cnus". ipi opportunity exists IN nn eyamina-
iion oi this sort to meet the Administration on
its own ground and expose it, mistakes hy tho
light of its own principles. There IL the Toledo
mac, ior No Other rau-e ilan tae wish oi stan
ley Matthew'S and under the acton taken to-day
the whole subject. including Stanley Maithcws's
share Ia IL. can havethe fullest sort Of examine
tion, and n ease bee made out in which II Will be-
hard tp get any ono iO vote for tho confirmation
" Frank DOwling's successor. In Huy casa
this course secures opposition To- many nominal
tons on examination. whcrc the desire % n
single senator might not bc nhlN TO command IT,
While this "Nperm"iH II bcng tried among
the Post ONCE appointments. Senator Cons ling
has asked and eHn"d iorlnigh's d"lay in the
action to bc taken upon the nominations before
his committee. tho Committee on Commerce.
Tho informal conference held on Tuesday by
tho Repuhican members OF the COMMITTEES
shows that senator Conkling can depend upon
his party friends to follow his wishes in deaing
with the nominations: and to-day. when ho
went personally from one member of the COM
mlttee TO another. and asked delay in calling n
meeting Of the committee until nfcr the Mo-
Vcntcr election. both IN view Of the election
and the adjournment which was sure to follow
senator Mortons death. he met Il ready n-srnt.
Three weeks Of the session are now over, and
IN" Committee on CONNER senator Cunk-
ling's commtiee-has had no meeting. Upon
the understanding which was rearhed to-day. 1t
Will be four. II not I'VE. weeks from the opening
| OF tho extra session before the committee he
| gins on tho long list ~ appointments before
H., The first appointments 10 be taken up
| viii he n batch of steamboat inspectors. in the
| removal II ono Of whose predecessors Stanley
Matthews had a share. and patient cxGmina-
| tinn Of the merits and dp7ncrits NJ each case
/ Will take time. II may be- well into the regular
session before the New York appointments are
| taken up. The Admlnistration Will have DIS
| trihut"d IL patronage ut the South hy that time
! and have none of the strong influences on the
| D"nocrailc side of the chamber II now possesses
ana has had tp lars" degree. Even now as
| strong an Administration senator ~ G"n. Cor
| don says that no southern votes can be mad for
| the raniirmaiion of any c9ndila,r whose -elsc-
| tion can be shown to be due 10 other than the
| best rens0ns. In other words. party uuarrcls
! n such. VIII have no help on the Democratic
! sid" oi ths house. Nnrh contest at such a
| point viii begin with al the odds IN favor uf tho
| senior Senator from New York. and by that
time the Committee on the Electoral Count vii