New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-02-08
WASHINGTON.
THE SENATE GOING ON WITH BUSINESS.


PACIFIC DISCUSSION IN CoMMIrTEE-GENhHAL
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
~-The Senate spent three hours and hall III
executive session, yesterday. Mr.. Hiillaio
nomination as Minister to Brazil was confirmed
among others. Mr.. Wllliamson's as Collector
at New-Orleans, was rejected. Judge Northrop
COS ,bot no has not replied to the attacks
mon him because he has been too busy with
the affairs of his Office. Colonel Scott argued
the case of the Texas and Pacific before a
Senate committee yesterday. The sale Oh
ner cent bonds amounts to about $3,0OO,OOO.
HARD AT WORK ON NOMINATIONS
THE SENATE DEvoTEs SEVERAL HOURS TO THE
MATTER-FoUR REPUBLICANS VOTE WITH The
pEMOCRATs-IMPORTANT CASES DISPOSED OF.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIDUNE.I
WASHINGTON Feb. 1.-THE Senate devoted itself
TO business in its Executive Session to-day for three
hours and half, disposing of some nominations and
beginning the consideration of Others The cases
on the calendar were taken up in their order.
A slight impeachment in Montana case caused
same delay and the report of the Committee on
Foreign Relations in favor of the confirmation of
Mr. billiard, of Georgia, to be Minister to Brazil,
was reached. This appointment was opposed by
many Republicans, especially by Messrs. Conkling,
Edmunds and Hann. 1t defended by the
leading Democrats, among whom were Messrs. La
mar. Hill and Butler of South Carolina. and also by
Senators Matthews and Burnside. The point of the
affection made by Senators Conklng and Edmunds
was that Mr.. billiard is Democrat, and has never
been Republican. They had no difficulty in es-
tabshing this fact, for the Democrats admitted 1t,
but they replied that he had never
been an extreme partisan. To this the Republicans
reioined that Mr.. billiard had not only urged bis
own State to secede but had been sent as delegate
to Tennessee TO influence that state also 10
90 out of the Union. The Republicans also
endeayored to show that Mr.. billiard was not
the most capable man in the country nor
a man of the highest character and that he
could not have been chosen for his peculiar
fitness for the position. Having put forward these
points with considerable force, they rested their
case. their object being to commit Senators Mat
thews Hoar Burnside and Christiancy. who favored
the nomination, to the policy of voting for Demo-
cratanda an ex-Confederat T.Hllliardsnomination
was finally confirmed by small majority, the four
Republicans already named voting with the Demo-
Gratis. Scarcely a quorum was present, and many
Senators paired
The case of Northrop, nominated for the district
attorneyship Of South Carolina, next taken M,
but was soon laid aside at the request of Senator
Patterson, who was too weak to remain.
The Alabama cases were debated at some length.
The Presidents policy, in making these appoint
ments was earnestly sustained by Senators Mat
thews and Burnside, bat senator Spencer
seemed determined to defeat the nominations.
As far as can be learned the Presidents
selections for the Federal offices of Alabama have
been good. In making the appointments he has fol-
lowed the advice of ex-senator Willard Warner and
other Republicans of his class, and has appointed
some of the respectable Republicans of the State.
I.1ato 1nfan fIaga
nominations all of the Democrats show dlSposi-
ton to vote for their confirmation.
The Senate Committee on Commerce is not yet
satisfied with the Presidents selection of collector
for the Port Of New-Oreans. AT its meeting to-
day il took up the nomination of Mr.. Williamson
for that place, and promptly decided to report al
versely upon it. This report was submitted to
the Senate this evening The reasons given are
that Mr.. Williamson, who is now United States
Minister to the Central American States,
cannot reach his new post of duty IN less
than ninety days; that the New-Orleans
Custom House has been in charge of General Ander-
son, who has given nc bonds since early in Novem-
her that General Anderson is III jail and on trial
for alleged crimes and Is using the Office to shield
himself from the penalties of the law and that IN
consequence of these facts it is necessary to have
collector for the Port of New-Orlcans who can
assume the duties of his Office soon as possible
Mr.. Williamson not even granted leave OF alb.
sence to come here until the I'd INST Members OF
the committee add that he is only nall hepuDllcah
at best.
The President viii now have an opportunity to
consider once more the recommendations of ex-
Governor Packard for this place. No applicant for
an Office since President Hayes's Inauguration has
been able to present papers numerousy signed by
influential Republicans as the friends of exGOver-
por Packard have taken to the President i'll bis
behalf. The support of such men as Vlce-President
Wheeler, Senator Blaine, General Garfield. and
scores of other leading Republicans, has not thus far
induced the President to consider this appointment
favOrably.
Mr. Peixotto who had been nominated for the
consulship ut Lyons, aud one two other appoint
ments of lesser Importance, were favorably acted