New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-19
AT THE STATE CAPITAL.
CONSIDERING oDoNNFLLs NOMINATION.

THE SENATE LOOKING INTO HIS CHARACTERIZE
TON on THE NOMINATION POSTPONED.
[rRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENTS OF THE rnIsuNE.l
ALBANY, Jan. 1S.-The characters OF the
men nominated for Railroad Commissioners by Governor
Cleveland receive scrutiny. One would think
that an inspection OF the lives
OF the men nominated for such hgh
Office rs Railroad Commissioner would have been the
first task TO which the Senators would have turned
after receiving the nominations No such work was
done Instead the Senators began debating among
themselves the political effect Of confirming or rejecting
John O'Donnel the candidate OF +. i. Thurbers anti
monopoly societies, for Railroad Commissioner.
Mr. O'Donne here throughout the session Of the
Legislature in 1882, lobbying for tho
passage Of the Railroad Commission law. Naturally
tho Senators became very well acquainted
with him Ia the summer they saw that his patriotic
devotion to the Of railroad reform" had been re-
warded by his election by the National Anti-Monopoly
League and the Board OF Trade and Transportation OF
NewYOIk their candidate for Railroad Commissioners
Under the Railroad Commission Law this election com
PEELED Governor Cleveland accept him Of the
men to be nominated for Railroad Commissioner. He
duly nominated. Instantly there wero rumors that
he was an unfit for commissioner. The Senators
did not investigate these rum0rs, but as stated, began
debating whether not 10 would be POLITICALLY
safe TO reject him. Both Democratic and Republican
Senators expressed dislike of the man and desire to
feared If they did that the Autobiography party Of
the State would throw its influence against their party
at the election the coming fall Most OF the Senators
candidates for reelection, and as many OF them come
from close Districts they dread exciting the hostility Of
any political faction, however small against them.
In the interval that has passed since his nOm
nation Mr. ODonDen has not been very wise. He
has been In Albany and has been constantly at the
Capitol This appearance OF seeking confirmation as
Railroad Commissioner has prejudiced some Senators
against him. The other two nominees for Railroad Com
missioner, John ID. Herman, OF Utica, and william T.
Rogers OF Garsons have had tho sagacy not TO como
here intrigue for their continuation James Shana
han. who was confirmed Superintendent OF Public
Works Tuesday, followed the same course. No one
him in Albany while the Legislature was consider
ing his character and wOrthiness for high Office
To-day tho Senate actually did consider Mr.
O,DOnnells character. IL went into secret
executive session motion OF Senator
Boyd order to consider the nominations for Railroad
Commissioners. This motion made at the sugges-
ton OF q committee OF AntlMonOposts here. who
argued that every day the Senate delays action in
ODonnes nomination the chances Of his rejection in
crease. The Committee Railroads reported favor
ably all the nominations. long debate then followed
regarding O'DOnnel. senator Boyd argued that Mr.
ODonnells character good and that the Senate
under obligations to cohhm hin, since he had
been formally chosen according TO law by the
Anti monopoly societies Senator Pitts inquired II. in
societies had nominated sullivan, the prize
II ghter. the Senate would be morally compelled To
arm him. lie argued that the senate under
obligation rather TO inquire carefully Into the character
and ability OF O'DOnneu
Senator Browning said that be had heard that some
residents OF Utica had letters 10 senator Boyd
written by ODOnncll. wncn not creditabe to hIn.
Al his demand Senator BOYD read the letters II Is
reported that in OF them O'DJnnrn warned
merchants Of Uuca against making further attacks upon
the Railroad Commission bill, declaring that they would
suner Tor their action II iAey did These letters In
the light OF bis appOin tment Railroad Commissioning
afterward deemed credtable to hun by Of
the majors.
senator Thomas stated that some residents OF Uuca
dc- rel To make further charges agans OD0Hne, ana
moved at tae turtDrr consideration OF his domination
be- postponed until Wednesday next \ conflict Ol an
hour ana "A half followed the motion. Senators
Boyd and Grady maintained. with great Nehemencr OF
manner that immediate action should be taken Senator
Mccarthy ar-ued that there ought to be delay undl
ODOnncfs character Ia thorough invest gated Final
Is by vote Of II 10 10 senator Ihouas's motion 10
pOnc action adopted The vote follows
Republicans In roman Democrats In ItHlicsl:
A. Allen, Bducus, Bowen, BIOWHitg, Jacobs
Jones, Koch, 4. Lansing. F. Lansing, Lord Macarthur
GGckIH. Mccarthy, H. 4 Nelson, Pittr, Thomas
Ttns-l7
Nays Bopd. Dlin Evans Fitzgerald, Grady Ecrnnn
Lynne, n. q. Nelson, Russell, TreanDr-lO.
NOT yOting-Bnidwln and Holmes
Acknowledgement, Ellsworth aud Roberts.
NOt ali OF tie senators vino NOted post pOuc action
hostile 10 OD0nnel but they think, in view or
Charges made against him, there should be lnyesugA
ton before a vote 10 taken On his nomination.