New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-05-10
GENERAL WASHINGTON NEWS.
MIR. WoRTHINGTON NOT YET CONFIRMED

MR. WORTHINGTON NOT YET CONFIRMED.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THR TRlBUNE-l
WASHINGTON May 9.-The nomination of Mr..
Worthingon to be Collector of Boston was reached
in executive session by the Senate today and was
discussed at considerable length. but vote was
not reached. The Massachusetts, Senators we're the
chief speakers and set forth in greater detail than
they did before the Commerce Committee the
grounds of their opposition.
They did not invoke the Courtesy of the Senate
of course. but placed their objections upon the
ground that Worthington was machine POLITICIAN
and that under him the patronage of the Custom
House would be used to promote the interests of "a
political faction. He represented an element IN
Massachusetts against which all that respect
able was arIayed. With the exception of the term
OF Simmons, the Boston Custom House had been
conducted during recent years upon Civil Service
and bu mess principles Reference was made to the
condition of affairs IN the NewYork Custom House
before the appointment of General Merritt and it
was said there was evident intention to establish
q similar system in Boston They said that the
nomination had been secured by the influence of
two persons, whom they did not name, but of
whom they said belonged to 10 party and had no
politics This was undoubtedly reference to
General Benjamin +. Butler who has been lobbying
with the Democrats for the last ten days in behalf
OF Worthngton. and who was IN the lobby during
the executive session of this afternoon, and two
three times sent his card III and called Senators
ont.
The strongest point made by the Massachusetts
Senators was in relation to the treatment of the
present Collector Mr. Beard, by Mr.. WorthingtOn
In his paper. On the 1th of July, they said, Mr..
Beard was at his home the country and
called on for a speech. There was widespread
feeling Of depression, in consequence OF the mo-
of Con- oil nd
the accession Of General Arthur about whom com
paratvely little was known. to the Presidency.
Mr. Beard periodically undertook to allay the feel
ing OF alarm, and spoke in complimentary terms of
General Arthur whom he knew. He assured his
hearers that their fears groundcsS Mr..
Beard made other speeches of the sam
general character about that time When
Mr. Boards term had nearly expired The
RostoD JrerclIcr attacked him Indirectly saving
in substance that If MI. Beard had spoken dis1arag
ingly OF General Arthur IN his pubic speeches, and
il he went to Albany and lobbied against the re-
turn of COnklIng to the Senate, he could hardly OK
pect denomination from General Arthur.
Although it was not stated positively that
OF the mind of the reader. few days aiterward,
MI Beard met MIR. NOrthIngton IN one of the
clubs of Boston and asked what he meont by max
ing such statements
Il did not say you did So" rejoined Mr.. Worth
ingtOn. " | said lyon did so you ought not TO ex-
peCt reappolnf menL
M. Beard thoreupon pronounced the act that of
liar" and " a sneak" which terms he applied
70 Nj. Worthington. This story made
strong impression upon the minds of
Senators one of whom, at least declared
that he had Intended TO vote for the continuation.
but had changed his mind lie believed that 90 liar
and sneak lit terms 10 apply to who
would adopt such a course.
Senator Conger made speech in favor of confirm
ation, saying in effect that nothing had been
brought to the attention Of the committee which
had been thought sufficient to warrant adverse
report. Senator Mcmillan read extracts from
number of Massaehusctt papers favorable to
continuation wheIeuDOn senator liOar SAID there
was not u single leading Republican, paper in the
list Senator Hale spoke IN favor OF, and Senator
Haw,cy against confirmation Two Democratic
Senators are said to have made brief speeches adj
verse " confirmation.