The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-01-28
THE NEW YORK NOMINA TIoNs.
Serious Defeat OF the AdministratiOn In the
senhte's Executive sessIon.

WASHINGTON, Jan. N.--The Admnistra-
ton met with serious defeat to-day in the ex-
ecutve session Of the Senate. In the refusal OF
that body to give John Sherman a chance to an
swer Gen. Arthur's letter before charges against
the Collector and his reply were given to the
public. This was the real struggle OF to-day
and the vote by yeas and nays. nearly four to
one in favor Of immediate publication. showed
that only eight or ten Senators could be de-
pended upon to support the Administration un-
der all circumstances and upon all issues.
The proceedings in executive session opened
with the report on the nomination OF Collector
Merritt made by Senator Conkling. who an
nounced the decision as unanimously adverse
to the confirmation. In support OF this report.
he presented Gen. Arthur's reply. and the long
document was read. taking nearly an hour. 1t
was currently known around the Senate that
Mr.. Sherman. in his anxiety 10 meet the asser-
tions made by Gen. Arthur. had addressed
note TO the Chairman Of the Committee. asking
for copy Of the reply. Auson WAS made to
this by Senator HoaI. who acted to-day rs the
spokesman OF the Administration Mr.. Hoar re-
marking in addition. that the removal OF Arthur
and Cornell IN act within the Executive
discretion and prompted by the best motives.
senator Conkling replied sharply TO this that
he would refer the Senator TO Arthur's reply,
which showed the contrary-a reply prepared
In twetty-four hours 10y an officer Of the Gov
tire resources ola department. with u Commis-
siuE sitting Tor SIX months 10 collect facts in re-
gard TO his official administration. and detec-
tiNes searching after his personal habits. Sena-
tor Conklnc then moved. alter a brief debate.
that the correspondents. in the case -Shermans
charges md Arthur's reply-be given to the
public. To tho surprise Of those present Sena-
tor Hoar objected 10 this, but a vote being taken
the publication was ordered.
Senator Thurman now rose, and referring TO
n suggestion he made four or five days ago that
the entire proceedlngs upon this subject should
TO say appeared at that time 10 meet with the
approval OF the senator from New York lMr.
Conklingl. moved that tho entire proceedings
be made public The nrsi and Immediate OBJ
Jections 10 this came from two or three Demo-
Gratis. Messrs. Hoar and Dawes opposing 1t
later.
Senator Maxey Of Texas rose to n point Of
order, and objected 10 the adoption OF any such
motion as very serious breach OF precedent
Senator Eaton OF Connecticut expressed him
self rs extremely doubtful of the eject Of such
action on the future proceedings OF the Senate
senator Edmuuds. IL is understood. raised the
point that rs this wns change In the rules Of
the Senate. "A days notice was neated before Il
could he considered. Senators NadleiGh and
Ferry both took what appears 10 have been the
anti Admin stration side ia favor of publicity.
Senator HOar took the floor with al extremely
vigorous speech, In which no attacked the mo-
tion as in large measure a personal attack
aimed at member OF the Administration. and
an effort 10 bring before the country debate full of
personal abuse, for no reason save the public
effect which such personal attack might have,
To make such proceedings public he declared
was neither for the public interest nor con-
sonAnt with the dignity OF the Senate. senator
Dawes followed in a similar vein. and some
sharp reJonders were made in various quar-
ters. but the debate was closed 10y the numerous
points of order and objections in detail which
had been raised. These remained undecided.
and the whole subject went over at adjourn
m"nt. and the motion made by senator Thur
man remains the pending question tomorrow
in the exc cutVe session.
II seems TO be generally understood that tho
Democratic Senators will vote to make the pro-
ceedings public. but II would be "A mistake 10
suppose that all the votes cast In favor of pub
reject the nominations The general impress
sion Is that Grahnm. Naval Onicer may be con-
lrmed and Merritt rejected.