New-York tribune., 1879-02-04
AN OUTLINE OF THE SPEECHES.
AFFW ADDITIONAL DETAILS OF WHAT THE VARIUr
SIN ATOPS SAID,
,Gr~FPAI pgysS DisrArCHI

tGIrFEAi Pi:kS~ Di-NNCNI
WASHINGTON. Feb. SIS soon as the doors We're
closed at l 2. m, Senator Bayard submitted q mo-
ton that the doors be rcopened and that ~ proceed
iurs be conducted In public. Senator Edmunds OBJ
iocted to the present consideration of the notion
and It therefore went over under the rules.
Mr. Bayard then took he floor and made a speech
of considerable length and much earncstneSs In
favor Of confirming the nominations. lie referred
IN detail TO the testimony taken by the inves-
tigatug committee, Of which he was a member,
some years AGO, showing. he alleged, gross NAL
ad .liii,'ratlou of the New-York Custom House
under Collector Murphy, and he claimed that the
Cus.oI4 House was then, and had been since
a nero political machine, and source
Of corruption. He heartily favored the
President declaration of an intention 10 rcformits
Admini-tr -tratlon by placing It on business prinoi-
pies, ana TO this end be would vote for the removal
Of Messrs. Arthur and Cornell and the confirmation
Of the pending nominations, ~ step IN the dIrec-
ton of much-ueeded reform.
Mr. Ldmunds was the next speaker He strongly
opposed the removal of General Arthur lie III
sisted that DO sufficient cause had been
shown TO Justify it, In the course Of his
remarks he combatted the idea that in or
der to administer the affairs Of a Custom
House properly il was necessary that Tie Collector
should be personal friend OF the President OF Of
In. Secretary Of the Treasury. / was the duty Of
an officer 10 obey the law and unles. corruption or
ucflicieucy were proved, he should be retained IN
office regardless If mere personal feelings or par,i
san preferences
Nj Voorhec, opposed the confirmation Of General
Merritt. Oh the crouud that although there WeIe
abuses 10 be corrected. lie was not satisfied that
Nj Merritt va, "a fit man 10 b. entrusted with their
correction.
NJ. Herman took similar ground He said that
the New-York Custom House had been run as n
political machine. but IN his opinion there would be
no Improvement effected by placing II under con-
trol of General Merritt. who was mere politician.
with nothing I'm his record to commend him for the
appointments While, therefore, Mr.. Herman was
not wiling to vot, for Merritt. he not willing,
On the other hand 10 iudorsa Arthur. Conse-
qucntly he should decline TO vote at all.
Air Howe then made a speech Of about half
hour duration III " hICh lie TOOK up and compared
the charges and the replies, aud arrived at the con-
clasou that there was 10 good cause shown for tho
proposed removals.
Ar CockreIl. reviewing the CONTROVERSY said II ap-
peared that very grave charges had been made
aglInst General Arthur and IA return very serious
allegations were made against Secretary sherman,
the truth Of some If which the Secretary seemed to
admit. He therefore thought the only proper
way 70 deal with the subject would he
70 recommit the subject to the Committee
On Commerce. with power to send for persons aud
uapers and make a thorough investigation ot Gus
tom House affairs. etc, under General Mcrrirs ad-
lniu;str4tion. he therefore submitted motion 10
that effect.
Mr. Morgan. after making speech Of much the
same purror: q, Mr Cookrrli-. moved TO postpone
indefinitely the prudiug nomination on 'hc ground
tina, thI. would Indicate that the senate did not con-
slider General Merritt proper man for the place
and wonid open the way for the President 10 send
in another name.
The presiding officer Nr. Mitchell. who was oc-
cupyiug the chair temporarily ruled that this mo-
ton was ont Of order il involved final action. and
under the rules Of the senate, although postpone
ncpt 10 fixed date was permissible The final gues-
tlou on A nomination must always be, " Does the
Senate adyl,, and consent TO this contirrnationT
long discussion eusued on the parliamentary
question thu, raised and after eight Senators
had spoken dearly all of them supporting the de-
ci,ion Of the chair Mr.. Morgan Withdrew his mo-
ton
The question then REQUIRED on Mr. Cookrclls mo-
ton 10 rceomuit, aud NJ. Couhl.ag took the io)T
TO close Tho debate.
Mr. CouL,.ng sent TO the Clerks desk General Ar-
hur's letter To him of the 1t inst. in reply to sec
retarv SheImau's last communication. Alter II had
been read To- the Senate Ar. Conlling proceeded to
make an hours speech, very earnestly oppos-
ing confirmation, and going over the whole
ground of the charges against MeSsrs AZ
thur and Cornell 10 show that they had
been thoroughly refuted. Referring 10 the con-
ulaint Of the President and Secretary sherman tat
see finb rage.