Morning appeal. [volume] (Carson City, Nev.) 1877-1906, 1877-12-14

DECEMBER Ii. 1877
CONKLING'S VICTORY.

We learn by yesterday dispatches that af-
ter a six hours fight the valiant Senator from
New York was nobly sustained, in his opposi-
ton to the Presidents assumption of power
under the name of Civil Service Reform, The
entire session of Wednesday was devoted the
consideration of and decision upon the New
which, namely: those of Theodore Roosevelt,
to be Collector in place of Arthur, to be re-
moved, and S. Bradford Prince as Naval Off
Ger, vice Cornell, to be removed, were repor-
ted from the Committee on Commerce unfa-
vorably. The discussion seems to have been
very animated and to have involved the ques-
ton of the Presidents power to remove from
and appoint to office. Senator Conkling,
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce,
opened the debate with a brief statement of
the reasons why, in the opinion of the major
ity of that committee, the two first named
nominations should not be confirmed. These
we're, in brief, that no charges of either cor
ruption or inefficiency had been made against
the present incumbents, but, on the contrary,
they were conceded to be faithful, honest, ex-
perienced and able officers. Bayard and ker
non made lengthy speech defending the action
of the President. Gordon also warmly COM
mended the Civil Service policy Of Hayes and
regarding the pending nominations asserted
emphatically, that the removals which they
contemplated were demanded by proper re-
gard for the purity of the service. Hoar and
Matthews spoke upon the affirmative as was
to have been expected. Teller and others
spoke briefly in reply, arguing that in the
present instances, at least, the President had
departed from the principles of civil service
which he himself had announced, namely
That faithful and efficient services should pro
tect the officer from removal, etc Conkling
then closed the debate in his usual earnest
and vigorous manner He replied in detail
to the various arguments advanced by the
supporters of the nominations, and repealed
with the utmost emphasis the charges that
had been made against the official character
and conduct of the officers whom the Presi
dent proposed to remove. He insisted that
they had been faithful, honest and efficient in
every particular, and challenged proof that
single charge had ever been made against
them, either by the mercantile community or
by the Secretary of the Treasury or the Presi-
dent himself. He also detied any one to show
or to assert that his (Conkling's) action in this
whole matter had been otherwise than fair,
open, courteous and above board. In concu-
sion, he claimed that the Senate would be
alike just to faithful officers, careless of its
own prerogatiyes and duties, and unmindful
of the dictates of true civil service policy if it
failed to vote that these nominations should
be rejected. The vote of yeas and nays result |
ted in their rejection by a majority of Z. Sen |
stors Eaton, Dennis, Whyte and Maxey |
,Democrats) united with the great body of |
he Republicans against confirmation, and |
Christiancy, Conover, Dawes, Hoar
md Matthews Republicans sided with the
mass of the Democrats in favor of confrma-
ion This is a splendid victory for Mr..
Jonkling and the friends OF Republicanism
throughout the country. A special to the
Inter-O Ocean says:
1t is a question if the President will accept
he lesson Conkling's victory should teach
lin. Had he adhered strictly to his new civil
ervice rules, he would not have found him
elf in his present humiliating attitude of de-
eat, and of being compelled to call upon his
olitical enemies for defense and support
he reasons why Cornell and Arthur should
e suspended are not such as can be put into
tangible shape. Cornell was only lately
lected a new member of the New York State
republican Committee. OF course it would
e nonsense to assign this as a reason for his
emoval, but had it been assigned at first his I
nccessor would have been confirmed. The {
uestion is, What will the result be? Some of i
he Presidents friends say that in January he ,
i'll nominate men to replace the old incum
ents. In case he does Conkling will prevent
leir confirmation as fast as sent in.
Says an Exchange: "Russian hospitality is :
azzling. The entertainments which are given
1. L, L.. |