New-York tribune., 1878-04-05
lDY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRIBuYE.I

A WRONG REPORT CORRECTED-THURMAN's
PROMISE
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WAsHINGToX, April 4.-The Senate Committee on
Commerce has UNANIMOUSLY reached the conclusion
that it is necessary to have more definite infOrma-
tion In order that it may act ntelligently on nom
nations made by the President For instance, the
committee desires to know in every instance
where the candidate for office actually resldes
what his official record, il he has one Isl whether he
is reapponted or not; and in case vacancy has
been caused by the removal of an officer whose
term has not expired that the reasons for such re-
moval should be set forth. The committee will
probably request the President in making executive
communications to convey to the Senate the infor
nation thus outlined.
The committee to-day selected a subcommittee
to investigate the facts which led the President to
appoint as neutrality-suspicious. the New-York
Custom House, J. B. rockingham. j. Q. Howard,
and VIM. Kent, in the places Of VIM. Allen. VIM.
Day, and Thomas w. Gibson. Mr.. Gibson. it ap-
pears is the gentleman whose resignation was COM
pulsory instead of Mr. Allen, as mentioned in dis
patch to-day. Mr. Gibson has had fourteen years,
experience in the Appraisers Office in NewYOrk,
seven in the position he lately held and
aniner. The committee also reviewed that portion of
the report of the Jay Commission which referred
10 the Appraisers Department of the Custom House; ;
and the general sentiment in the committee seemed
10 be that these new appointments are not "re-
organization in the interest of greater efficiency"
From present indications there would seem to be
danger that Mr.. Frothingham's nomination will be
rejected and the confirmation of the other two is
by no means certain.
Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce
say that an erroneous impression has gone out that
all nominations rejected by that committee
whenever the least excuse can be found for such
acton. ms, 1t Is said is not true. The committee
has reported iavoraby many nominations which its
most influential members, If they were governed by
personal considerations, would have attempted 10
defeat. One recent instance is the case ot the
nomination of Ernest Ockenheim to be eonsul ~
Gottenburg. He was credited TO Ncw-York. but
neither of the Senators from that State had ever
heard of him. The committee. after consider
able inquiry. at length discovered an article
in New-York German paper, and from that and
other sources 1t was learned that Mr.. Ockenheim
was Democrat and that he had been nominated
upon the recommendation of Senator Burnside.
Notwithstanding that such an interference in regard
10 the appointments of another State Is violation
Of senatorial courtesy and usage, as il appeared
that MIR. Ockenheim is man OF good character
and that he had the ndOrsement OF one or two busi
ness men of New-York and of the Deputy-Sherif of
klngs County, his case was fayorably reported
upon.
Much amusement was caused by the reported re-
mark of Senator Gordon the other day, when nOn-
ination from Ohio was sent TO the Committee on
Sommerce. The Senator from Georgia remarked
mat he had an understanding with Mr.. Thurman
nss II the latter should ever be President oil the