New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-01-24

.1,v No vote was reached on the nominal
49, The Conservative Democrats OF the House
lad npch trouble yesterday to prevent re-
,,nvrol of the controversy III their party on
var claims. but tdey finally succeeded. The
AMY hin has been reported TO the House.
One of the principal topics in the House yes
terlav was the use of the proceeds of public
Land sales for public education. Dr.. Under
man is very III.
THE REPLY OF GENERAL ARTHUR.
TIE FRIEND, OF Mr.. CoNKLIHC SAY THAT 1HE TT
Ply IS A sTEoNG DoCUMENT-wHAT Is SAID
ABOUT TIE CoNTIEMATIoN OF Mr2RIrT.
10y TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBrNE.l
U,su1NGroN. Jan. Ex-senator COnkllng lald
iorore hi, committee at its meeting this morning
,be tepiv of General Arthur as to the letter
son+ 70 the senate by Secretary Sherman last
week setting forth the reasons why the Idte
Collector and Naval Officer at the port of New-1ork
wore removed. The document was very long one
and much time was consumed in reading u. MI
Co-nclrs reply had not been received, but 1t = eX-
pectcd 10 be in tie hand, Of the committee to-
morrow.
General Arthurs answer IS said 10 be a very
strong documents II shows by reference 10 letters
on file in the Treasury Department that all the re-
forms IN the Custom House worthy OF the name
were recommended ny HIM TO the Secretary OF the
Treasury before the examination made by tie
,Iay Commission or by any of Mr.. Sher-
mans agents and that he was not to blame
because the changes he had suggested bad not been
acted upon. OF the changes which he dld not re-
commend he ia understood 10 have given reasons
10 prove that they were not reforms at all lie Is
reported 10 have denied that he was lndtJeh-
tive to his official duties OF that any great
loss to the revenue occurred duung his admrniNra-
ton which was not due to the system established
by the Department, or which was due to neglect on
hi, part General Arthur does not derry that he did
differ with Secretary sherman on some Qucs-
lions affecting the admins tr,tion of the New
York Custom House. but asserts that his
personal experience in managing that institution
made him better qualified 20 Judge IN regard to the
details of the Office than the Secretary OF the treas
1rv OF any one else could possibly be, and he has
seen nothing since 20 cause him to change ms MIND
Friends OF Mr.. ConklinG and of General Arthur
who have seen tins paper declare that It Is COM
rlete answer to every accusation made against the
ltccollector and that when 1t is presented 10 the
senate IT viii destroy effect adverse to General
Arthur that may have been produced by Secretary
SLermar'- letter This Is one side of the story.
ON the other side II Is said that there IS ana can
he no attempt 10 answer the assertion made by
Secretary sherman in his letter that neither the
President nor he is wiling TO be held re-
eponsible for the proper collection Of the Gus
toms revenue at the port of New-lork through
the former agencies, or through any agen-
cics not Of their own selection and Win
which they are not IN harmony HE Trends o. the
President saw that for the Senate to coltrOyert tins
position and declare that the Administration must
administer the laws and collect the revenue through
areuces that the Senate shall select, Is 10
DESTROY al official responsibility and 10 us'Ip
for the legislative branch of the Government
functions belonging 10 the Executive. They de-
clare that one of two things must be don"-el;her
tLc President must be allowed 10 select Collector
in whom he has confidence provided the
Senate knows no constitutional or personal
reason why the candidate chosen should be
d.,0ualiiel. or lie must not be held responsible
for the faithful execution OF the Laws. senators Of
al classes agree that this Is the strongest point
AGAINST the position Mr. Conhlng has taken, and tie
only point that is likely TO have much weight And
even tbs will not probably cause the changing Of
many votes.
Republican Senators who sympath.le with Mr..
Conkhug. and some who do not, agree that he dis
posed 50 completely Of Secretary SLeruau's chief
roAtar4Iu,t NJ. Cornell IN executive session the
other dav that ply from that gentleman
j. not necessary. The assertion tAat the Naval
Office in Nev-York is q sinccnre j. one that
cuts both ways. If the place Is sine .nre. tAey
tdv. Secretary sherman ought not To have stopped
with the suspension Of Mr.. Cornell BE- ought no;
10 have appointed any u hrs place. and be- ought
20 have recommended 10 Congress that the office hc
abolished. But DEE has done nothing ol ta" kind .
There is even before ID" Senate nsriHt'1'H Co.,: .
This office and 1t j. one of those upon which tie F..
Senate i, called 90 act.
Tie current OF talk about the Cap.t"! ID regard
to thc NcV-lork appoiufmcnts as WEI. as the plil
e. General ArluT'- reply, are gwen above: hut 4
there are reports Tonight how we'll founded 10 il /
impossible 10 ascertain that one kepubi,ran mcm- (
heT Of the Commerce Committee who voted with /,
Mr. Couk ling % wear ago VIII vote 10 confirm +
General Merritt now. Tie j. sad to hold .
HAT u is couiT,, t0 sound policy for jhe senate +
90 prevent the confirmation Of nominees who, /
Pos common consent entirely 1T tor the places 10
which they have been nominated, and that the .
senate Ou-ht - consider the matter with unusual /
rtic before n votes rejection, when, IN addition
10 the selection Of mon of acknowledged ability .
AMI fitness, there are specific accusations against ,
the administration OF the suspe lded officers. The I
Change az 4 Vote lu the committee might defeat /
Nr t0uhi,nE there, hu; even II this should Occ ur, .
and = j. hardly moIr than possibility, he would .
lI"HJby sui be able TO carry his point IN the ,
senate
The Commerce Committee Will meet again to-
morrow, bat no vote Oh the nominations IN The /
senate is, expected this week. Ia the meantime /
Secretary sherman VIII not be idle. lie told mem
hcr> ot Congress to-day that ne should request a ,
opportunity 10 offer reJomdcr, and support II by !
proof lie has probably already communicated TINS /
. dc'crm nation 10 the committee.
A WAR CLAIM IN TIE SENATE.