New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-22
CONTESTED NOMINATIONS.
THREE PERPLEXING CASES DISPOSED OF-NORTHROT
AND r. II. SMITH CONFIRMED.

AND r. H. SMITH CONFIRMED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.l
WASHINGTON, Feb. 21.-There was another great
contest in the secret session of the Senate to-day.
which lasted from o'clock until 6. The nomna-
tons of Northrop to be DstrictAttorney for South
Carolina, Williamson to be Collector at New-Orleans,
and Smith to be Collector at Mobile, had been on
the calendar for several weeks and all had been re-
ported upon adversely 1t was decided yesterday
that the Senate should go into executive session at
o'clock to-day, and sit until these cases. which had
INSTRUCTED the calendar, were disposed of.
Judge Northrops nomination was the first consid-
cred. Mr. Edmunds said that the nominee was
wholly unfit for the office, and should never have
been thought of. He asserted that the man had no
principles and party, besides being in every way
unfit for and unworthy of the office. Mr.. Nortrop
had he said been admitted to the bar of the United
States Court after his appointment as DistrictAttor
ney, and the whole Judiciary Committee, including
Judge Davis, had become convinced that this was
true Several letters were read from Mr. Northrop
to show his unftness. Attention was called TO the
alleged fact that since he has been in office he has
only attended to minor and insignificant cases and
has left the Eenton and other rioters for the great
future.
General NJ C. Butler defended Mr.. Northrop,
and Senator Patterson said he had consented to the
appointment.
Messrs. Hoar, Thurman, Matthews and others
spoke but said little Oh the merits of the case. The
discussion ran into Louisiana affairs Mr.. Matthews,
as usual speaking for the President. Mr.. Thurman
attacked Ex-Governor j. Madison Wells furiously,
and Mr. Hoar defended him and announced his in
tention of doing so in the open Senate.
Mr.. Northrop was confirmed by the Democrats by
about eight majority, Messrs. Matthews, Chris
tiancy, Burnside, Patterson. Conover and one other
Wit fhom HImunds ~
so disguised with the result that lie left the Cham
Der.
The next case taken up was that OF Mr.. William
son to be Collector of the Port of Now-Orleans on
which the discussion was shorter The Republicans
had little TO say, the fight being all on one side.
Mr. Eustis was opposed to Wlliamson's conirna-
ton, and gave his reasons. Mr. RANSOM member
of the Commerce Committee, also made speech.
He said nothing against the nominee personally, but
he pictured the condition of the public business i'll
the New -Oreads Custom House. and called attention
10 the fact that Mr.. Williamson was in South
America being now the United States Minister
10 the Central American States) and could not as
sumo the duties of the Office for many weeks ana,
perhaps, months even, II lie should be confirmed
Some of the Republican Senators opposed the contir
nation for the same reason.e Nothing was said
against the integrity or competency OF General VIII
hanson. but the fact that he could not return IN
time to serve the country satisfactorily seemed n
fifteen votes more than thirty being cast against
him. Those voting for him were mostly Republ-
cans. - 80
the Port of Mobile attacked furiously by
Senators Conkling, Spencer aud other Republicans
Mr.. Conkling made very strong speech. asserting
that the removals in Alabama were In direct aud
shameless violation of the Civil Service policy, so
often and so loudly proclaimed by the President
and that the removals were not for the purpose of
securing better officers, but TO humiliate and defeat
the Senator from Alabama, Mr.. Spencer. de said
all the men removed in Alabama were good officers
and were so known TO he by the Administration
The persons nominated were not suitable men. For
his part he thought it no longer worth while
for committees of the Senate to examine patiently
and investigate nominations unless the Senate
would treat the reports of committees with
respect. 81,
Mr. Spencer made violent speech, attacking the
President, but II had little effect.
The nomination was confirmed by good ma
jorty.
In making appointments in Alabama the Pres-
dent has recognized that organization of the Repub-
hcan party in that State which was recognized by
the Cincinnati Convention, while the men removed
belong to the other Spencer. wing OF the party.
The friends of Governor Packard express good
deal Of hope tonight that his name Will finally
come in as Collector of New-Orleans.