New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-08-05
AT THE NATIONAL CAPITAL

THE LOWVILLE POSTMASTERsHIP. :
AN ATTEMPT TO RECONSIDER NOMINATION pD
FEATED IN THE sENATE-PLAIy TALK BY sxSl
ATOR MILLER
fBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUSE
WASHINGTON, Aug. Am attempt was made in
the executive session of the Senate to-day to re-
consider the nomination of A. NJ Lamphere con
frmed yesterday as Postmaster at Lowville
N. Y, but it signaly failed. Mr. Congei
made the motion TO reconsider but gave NJ
reason for his action. Some one said the President
desired the reversal, bu. could give the req
son for such a wish.
Senator Miller. with some indignation, expressed
the belief that the President did not inspire thu
notion but that it was the handIwork Of Assistant
Postmaster-General Hatton, whose interference in
such matters had been quito conspicuousIy ex-
hIbited for some weeks. This is reporte to have
created something of q sensation in the Senate,
even the Stawarts expressing their dslik at such
methods of procedure.
Senator Logan said the proposition was irregular
and improper. The man had been regularly nom-
mated and the Senate had performed its work in
respect 10 the nomination in its customary way,
and no opposition had been made. Now, if the Ad-
ministraton wanted the matter reversed. let them
withhold the commission.
Senator Van Wyck sarcastically expressed his
1ear tnat TIE proposed action would be interpreted
as disrespectful to the Administration and avowed
his unwillIngness to run his head against
that wall again. He further provoked Mr..
Conger by cautioning him not to
run any risks. Senator Salisbury denounced the
interference of the Administration its agents in
affairs exclusively pertaining to the Senate.
Senator Lapham said something mildly defending
the motion of Senator Conger, which brought Sem
ator Miller to his feet again. He is said to have de-
nounced the attitude of his colleague in some
what vigorous terms. He said that
Mr. Lamphcre was nominated through tho
influence of the member of the House of Represent
atiyes from his district and that his supporters
were the same men who had contributed most
largely TO the election Of his colleague and himself
to the Senate of the United States. lie showed that
Mr.. Lapham turning his back upon the
men who sent him to tho Senate, and was lending
himself su oserventy to the wishes of their enc
mics. lie alluded to the difficulty which
his colleague would find in any attempt TO explain
his course to his constituents. and sugge tied the
probability that without an explanation Mr.. Lap
ham might not again be returned.
Returning to theLamphere case, he said that tele-
grams had been received yesterday from men to
whom 1lr. Lapham was In q great measure indebted
for his election to the Senate, asking that the
nomination be contirmej and that he
lMr MIllcrl had reported the Ohe Senate, with
the know led &c and full assent of Mr. Lapham Now.
at the bidding OF someone. Mr.. Lapham, without as
signing any reasons turned squaTely about aud
sought reverse the action OF the Senate, and 10
this end had obtained the help Of the Senator from
Michigan.
Senator Cameron, of Pennsylvania moved that
the motion to reconsider be laid upon the table,
which was carried with only two dissenting voices,
those of MeSsrS Lapham and COnger. This result
is Interpreted as Expression OF dlSappr0yal OK
Mr.. Hatton's practice of lobbying Iii the Senate.