New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-17
NO WITHDRAWAL OF DOUGLASS.
HE WILL BE CONFIRMED AND BY DEMOCRATIC
voTEs-COLUMBUs ALEXANDER HIS BONDsMAN.
lBY TELEGRAPH To THE TRIBUNE

yoTEs-COLUMBUs ALEXANDER HIS BONDsMAN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, March 16.-The opposition to the
appointment of Frederick Douglass to be L. 5. Mar
shall of the District of Columbia as strong to-day
as it was yesterday, but the prospect of his conir-
nation is better than it appeared to he when the
nominal on was first announced. The feeling
against him is very strong among many of the Dem
ocratic citizens of the District, and the feeling is
shared by not few Republicans. On the other
hand it has been seen to-day that the of the
Southern policy of the Administration may be en-
dangered by his rejection. On tins account some OF
the Southern Democratic Senator'S are reported TO
have intimated that they should vote for him. In
any event. if he is confirmed he will owe it to Demo-
cratic votes, and if he is rejected the Democratic
party cannot escape the responsibility for it, they
have numerical majority of the Senate now and
will have until the end of the executive session.
EX-Gov WaTmOth of Louisiana, a member OF the
Packard Legislature, now here says that the defeat
of Mr.. Douglass would be a serious blow to Mr.
Hayes's Southern policy and that its effect upon
the colored men South would be almost lncalcuable
He predicts that if Mr. Douglass shall be defeated
there will not be cOored representative Ill the
Nichols Legislature in two days after the fact be-
comes known i'll New-Orleans. President Hayes has
emphaticay declared that he shall not withdraw
the nomination except at the request of Mr. Douglass
himself Some Southern Democrats have said that
if the Senate should refuse to confirm Mr. Douglass
the colored men South might very properly make
the inquiry, "What cOlOred men would the Senate
confirmP
A curious incident in connection with the nomina-
ton is that Columbus Alexander, a noted opponent
of the District Ring and the most Jealous of District
Democrats, voluntarily appeared III court this morn
ing and rendered himself as a security on Mi.
DOuglasss bond. In reply to a question whether or
not he was in earnest he said, "Yes, am. desire
to be consistent 1t is a legitimate result OF this
campaign, and will go on his bond to show that l
accept the situation and am consistent"
The chief grounds of opposition to Mr.. Douglass
outside of those mentioned last night are, that he
has been in sympathy with the old District Ring;
that he made a speech i'll its defense year or two
ago. and has offered to appoint Arthur Shepherd,
brother of the eX Governor and a man VIGOROUSLY
unfit for the position to be his deputy. Mr.. Doug
lass never had any pecunlary connection with the
District Ring That is shown by Investigations
made by Congress. He never had any contracts or
appeared TO be interested in any. lie OWNS home
stead in Washington, and has always conducted
himself in a dlgnifcd and honorable manner. 1t is
probable that he and eX-Ciov. Shepherd have been
and good friends, and it is true that in speech
made after the District Ring was broken up he men,
toned Mr.. Shepherd in very complimentary terms
as the man who had the honor of having bcautificd
the city. 1t is positively denied for Mr.. Douglass
that he has offered position to Arthur Shepherd if
lie is confirmed.
The objection to Mr. Douglass is strongest among
Democratic members of the bar number of them
to-day visited the Committee on the District ito
whom the nomination was referred yesterday to
express the wishes of the association. They claim
that Mr.. Douglass does not fully comprehend the
duties of the Office and they even think that when lie
fully studies the situation he may consent to with
drawal of his name. At the same time his integrity
and his general ability Oh matters other than cxecu
tive are conceded Oh all sides.