New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-05
SCENES At THE CUSTOM HOUSE.
DISCUSSIONS on TIRE DAY AFTER TnF BA1TLE-COf
LEOInE MERRIII's NIsTORs.

LECToR MERRUT's VISITORS.
The action OF the United States Senate in
confirming General Merritt and Colonel Burt was
freely discussed yesterday by Custom House employees
and brokers' aud politicians. The general opinion was
that the Introduction into the cone. OF private CORE
spondence received by General Arthur soliciting APP
p0ntmeuts turned the scale nearly every Senator nav
iug written such letters ut some Time.
vcllknown city politician. who has taken deep
interest in the contest. SAID yesterday Nj Cornell
long ago made Up his mind 10 relieve the Administration
Of IT. embarrassment in hs case by rc-snlng ms posi-
tion rs Naval Oflcer. General Arthur de-
INJURED, and Senator Conklng recommended that
hc should sand by General Arthur IN the fight thar was
being made Nj. Cornell yielded To their wishes. re-
marking that he supposed he would have Ia b. made
martyr OF Tor The benefit OF others during TIE long
contest ~ Washington over the Custom House appoint
mcnts NJ. Cornell took no active part declaring INA.
a. charges had been made AGAINST him, United
States Senators able 10 decide the matter without
any diclatIOn from HIM. There j. very general 'ethS
or sympathy with Mr. Cornell, who Is popular win
all classes Of Republicans"
Rccrrug 10 the rcported remarks Of Senator Kern'n
IN executive session rejecting upon the business qua-
cations OF General Merritt a prominent Custom House
officer said Euowmg senator Herman rs well a. do.
must believe that he has been msrepreScntcd lie sat
with General Merritt IN The constitutional Convention
and it, conclusion he volunteered the remark ihat ne
REGARDED him as one of the most praGlcal
aud businesskc men IN the convention Nlrn
General Merritt was confirmed surveyor. : nator
Herman congratulated him, and remarked that IN casting
his vote for niIn nc felt that he could assure his con
>titutut that he had voted for WHO possessed al
the necessary bu>iu, qHacaolS to make an erctnt
( and capable officer. Senator Herman has always
claimed that his rule in public life has been 10 vote Tor
confirmation of name sent IN by fhc Prcsl3cht
unless there good reason for contrary course.
With record il X difficult 10 reconcile senator
Herman, reported remarks on Monday
Collector Merritt was at office at early hour yes
tcrday morning. Congra'ulatory dispatches were re-
celyed IN large numbers from al parts of the country
one was ftom Collector W II. smith. OF Chicago.
| \ dispatch from prominent Washington TREND
said: In presenting my coneIatu.4tionS. permit
me say that honesty of character official INTEGRITY.
devotion OF friend, and true merit won the victory
Daring the day personal calls made on the COlrc
tor by many Wrll-6nown Ic-ld,n among whom we're
the Hon. Levi +. Morton, John Jas. william Walter
Pl,.us. Hugh Allen. OF the Collectors hond,ueh
George j. Forrest cX-CoilcctUr Hiram Barnc' JullN
D. Drckkcr urc-GcutO OF Roanoke COLLEGE. virginia H.
H. Peek. OF Rmghdmton. y. y Juan y Navarro MeAl-
can Consul General Y. +. Curtis and others
John JAY said: regard the confirmation" As great
triumph for tho Administrations when reminded mat
perhaps was Endorsement or the report MADE
by me Cu.tom, C1mmIs> sion which ne presided.
Mr.. Jay ,.Id: in measure that j. uHc II ever %
commission acted from pure motives aud wlh q lire
bring only The facts aS they were presented we
did We had axes 10 grind aud no personal enGs 10