The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-06
Now Yorkcra will DO amuaod or INDIGNANT.
arm ThfE B.tTTLE.

WASHINGTON. Fob. 5.-Ihc sudden and re-
mirkublo changes in tho votes OF several Sen
ntors ON the Now York appointments. who had
previously given assurance OF their oppoe ition
TO the Administration. IL now tho subject Of
much comment in all the political circles at
Washington. The most notable ON the R,pub-
lican side were Mcmillan. O,:csby, Conovor.
and Saunders three 81 whom will retire from
public life on the 81 Of March. with very little
prospect Of ever returning toit.
II these four patriots had stood 10y their vol
untary declarations. tho rejection OF Merritt
and Burt would. in tho language Of the late
Caleb Cushing. have been a fixed fact. Or il a
vote could have been had any day last week
tharc Ia hardly doubt on which side the ma
Iority would have leaned. There never was a
case in which delay was more fatal than this
Mr.. Conklng undoubtedly saw the point where
his urmor WAS most weak and could be pc no
tratcd. but he was unable to strengthen II. and
WIS at the mercy Of adverse circumstances.
One Republican and two Democrats stood alooi
from the Hnal struggle. who could and would
have turned the scale had their votes been de-
cis.vc. But when they snw pronounced stall
warts surrender at discretion. it was evident
the game was up. and they took no further in
tercst in the isht.
How these preIudiccs were conquered will
man ia Washington last Sunday. lie had uu-
limited power to dispose of patronage and Of
nee. and knew exactly where they could be-
placed to do tho most good for the object that
WIS nearest e. hi- heart. HIS cXprrlcnc" WIN
visiting statesmen, with the counsel for the
Fraud. and with the managers who, by forgery.
perjury. and other crimes had contributed To-
iis success. enabled him to negotiate with skill
Besides this qualification. he was in position 10
know precisely how every doubtful or depart
ing Senator could be best approached.
He turned these advantages 70 the best ne
count. between the hour % Adjournment on sat
urday and tho executive session on Monday
by seeing every Senator who might be per
suadcd personally, and boy using the arguments
most likely TO win over his vote. Any admins
tratiOn has immense resources 10 carry it, point
in a personal struggle. such as this case as-
sumed toward She end. With the Treasury the
Post Onre. the Interior. tho War. the State. the
Navy. and the Judicial Departments all enlisted
with their hundred thousand Offices syndicates
combinations. contracts. Jobs. aud enormous
expenditures. the wonder is that they do not
sweep everything before them and silence every
form Of resistance.
Nothing but the imbccilty Of the whole CON
Germ collectively. and the absence Of an real re-
spcct for il, can explain tho utter failure 20
utilize the means attained hy fraud. Grant
with all his vicious surroundings and tho APP
palling corruption OF his Administration was
able with rare exceptions like that of Snn Doc
mingo, 10 command the full vote Of the icpub-
lcan party. even for the salary grab and the
back pny st"al The few who occasionally dif-
icrcd with him. and were disposed to resent his
eAr"ssrs. were soon glad n eat humble pie
Mr.. Conhling lost votes that had aided him In
pE Il itsI