Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-12-05
FitzsimmOns' Confirmation.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2-The result of the Ex.
scutive session on Saturday in the confirmation of
Fiixsimmons Is United States Marshall for Geor-
gis was great surprise to the Senate and nearly
every one else. The Committee on the Judiciary
reported him adversely, and his case was one
which the republicans had made q test in their
caucuses. As soon as the doors were closed on
Saturday. several Senators asked that particular
nominations IN which they were interested might
be taken up, but objection was made, ether SEN
ators insisting that the order OF the calendar
should be observed. Several minor nominations
were confirmed, and when Fitzsmuons' name was
reached the report OF the committee, recommend
ing his rejection, was taken up, and Senator Conk-
ling made quite long speech in support of it,
He reviewed the circumstances of the appoint
ment as follows man named Huff, Mayor of
Macon, Ca, was originally decided upon and wa,
sustained by both Senators Gordon and Hill The
President made an effort to discover the septi-
ment OF the republicans in Georgia, and secure
an expression of approval from them. Half is a
Liberal democrat, and Is very popular among the
republicans. When Gordon heard that the repub.
icsns were supporting HUFF he withdrew his rec
ommendation, writing to the President that he
had learned that Huff was not the man whom he
supposed him to be, and that if the President in
tended to appoint democrat to Office he want ed
one whose democracy was uDquestoned. Mr..
Gordon also wrote letter to HUH saving that he
withdrew bis recommendation because be under
stood that he intended to desert the democratic
party and build up the republican party in Georgia.
Mr.. Conkling had copies of both these letters and
read them 10 the Senate, making extended com
ments. MIR. Gordon got excited, and made fiery
speech, defending his course, and rebuking Mr..
Conkling Tor bringing his private correspondence
into the Senate in such way. Gordon said Uud
WAS deceiver; that he was democrat in Geor-
gis and . republican in Washington. Hill de-
Tended Gordon, and remarked that while he would
have approved Huf's nomin nation, he did no, think
be WAS any better than Fitzsmmons Hill at
democratic marshal in Georgia, on The ground
that illicit distng could not be suppressed by a
republican without q war between the parties
Senator Edmunds made one of his characteri.tif
speeches, commenting upon the fact, which Hill
had admitted, that illicit distilng in Georgia wa,
carried on only by democrats, and made the same
sarcastic illusions to Gordon. which prov okeC
the latter into making another speech. Mr. Ed.
muuds then replied, referring to the papers il
the case which had been furnished the Comm lite,
on the Judiciary by the Attorney General an,
read the letter from WI AIDE Hampton to the Presi
dent ailudiDg TO the fact that Fitzsimmons was hi
fHamptoD'sl nephew. His comments on Hamp
tons letter, and his desire to folst his relative
upon . republican administration, are described
~ very witty, and 81 the same time severe III,
argued that Ftzsimmons was not fit man be
cause he did not believe in the constitutions
amendments, and would not enforce them. Mr.
Cbristisney made . short speech, in which he saiC
that he had examined this case with great care
and while he did not object to the President nomi
mating democrats to Office, provided they wer,
good men, be did not think that Ftzsmmons wa
the proper person. and could not vote for his con
frmation. Mr.. Hoar spoke 10 about the sam,
strain. saying that be would have voted to confirm
Huff had he been nominated. lie believed witt
Mr.. Edmunds that Fiizsimmons position on IL
constitutional amendments, and the legislation TO
their enforcement, made him unfit for SO impor
tAnt On Office. He thought the President had
right 10 nominate democrats to Office IL be saw
6t, but in this case be had undoubtedly acted un
der aisapprehension. The debate lasted owe
two hoars. Messrs Gordon and Hill were the on