The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1885-01-14

Gratis say that II the Administration was
determined TO make nomination at
this time McCormick's 3 success suits them,
for they seem to understand that it is dis
tasteful to majority Of Republicans.
They think it will not contribute to har-
mony in the Republican ranks.
WHY he WILL BE CONFIRMED.
There is, however, strong pressure from
West Virginia, brought by Democrats and
Republicans, to defeat McCormick's con-
tirmation. AS see the situation now l
do not think the opposition will prevail.
There may be some delay in response to
the protests pouring in, but l look for
McCormick's confirmation in afew days.
The nomination is now in the hands OF
the Finance Committee. Democratic
Senators, in addition to the reasons alrea-
dy given, hesitate to oppose confirmation
because'the chickens may come home to
roost. Their President will be confronted
by Republican Senate. II Democratic
Senator'S oppose Arthur's nominations
and get enough Republican help to defeat
them, there may be retaliation in kind.
The present disposition OF Repub-
lican Senators is to allow Cleveland to
pursue his own course without impede
ment. Democratic Senators do not de.
sire TO disturb this comfortable under
standing. Republican Senators do not
wish to get into wrangle with President
Arthur on the eve Of his retirement.
Most OF them consider themselves under
obligations to him and perhaps are willing
to be placed under more. am not able
to say whether the West Virginia Senators
will or will not oppose McCormick's con-
frmation. Inmy judgment theiropposi-
ton could only delay, it could not defeat,
confirmation.
AN OUTLINE HISTORY OF THE CASE.
The steps which have led up to this
appointment will be OF interest to West
Virginia Republicans. Ifthere be reasons
why they ought not 10 be informed do
not know. them. They have not been
taken into the confidence OF Mr.. McCor-
mick and his hackers, but possibly those
gentlemen were otherwise engaged. From
the time OF MIR. McCorniick's first appear
ance in pursuit Of the Collectorship he has
not permitted himself TO stray far from 1t.
April IS, 1884, in a letter to the lPresi.
dent, lie thought the contingency
had arisen" in which he ought
to be made Collector, and he took
the liberty 10 refer to General GoE May
| 10 he asked leave to withdraw his appli-
cation, and on June the application and
accompanying papers werereturned. June
90, with the knowledge that General
Duval was to hold the place, he wrote to
"waiye his claims" whatever that meant,
and favored General Duval. What seems
10 have been delayed letter from A. F.
Gihbens, of Kanawha, member of the
State Committee and recently appointed
Postmaster at Charleston, says, under
date Of June %, that the appointment OF
Mr.. Mccormick would be acceptable to
the active and reliable Republicans OF the
State" Mr.. Gibbens does not state where
he obtained this information.
M'coRMicK An "oRI0ISAL ARTHUR MAN."
Ifit be borne in mind that General Du-
yal's resignation was offered April u,
1854, and that 1t was offered as a protest
against Commissioner Evans intimation
that General Duval was expected to CO.
operate with President Arthurs friends to
secure him the nomination for President,
the dates already given will have addi-
tional interest. 1t will be noted that a
week alter the resignation Mccormick
thought the Contingency had arisen,
that in another month he asked
leave to Withdraw his application,
and that in two months more he was favor
ing the retention OF Duval. The whirligig
Of politics was doing some active spinning.
July II, week after the nomination OF
Blaine, Mccormick renews his applica-
ton in a rather peculiar letter to the Pres
ident, in which he says Duval is anxious
to go out and will not remain later than
March 4, and adds these very striking OBJ
servations:
"Ihe KEY to this is that it is expected
that Blaine will be elected, and alter 4th
March upon his, Duyal's retirement q
Blaine man will be appointedin his stead.
This has been stated, and Gen. Duval, am
informed, ,hasintimated thatifDu benow
removed or he insists on retiring McCor-
mick will be appointed, which must be
prevented. mother words, because NcCor-
mick has been an open friend OF President
Arthur, and espoused his cause pre-
yious TO the National Convention,
and indeed for three years past,
and now the office is to be so manipulated
as to prevent Mccormick and his friends
advancement because they were friends
OF the President. You will excuse me for
stating the case as ! have. could not
say less and explain the situation. Duval
has been Collector for about fifteen years.
During all that time he has done nothing
comparatively speaking, toward build
ing up the party. II is known that
he expresses openly the most supreme
contempt for his Chief, Commissioner
Evans.
I APPOINTMENT URGED IN NAPEcuLTARLETTRR.
For some reason the Administration
was not disposed to move in the matter.
There may or may not have been person.
al solicitation, which is not a matter Of
evidence. But near the close OF the year
the letter.writing campaign was renewed,
possibly in the hope that the Collector
ship would fall TO Mccormick
as Christmas gift. The most
entertaining OF oil the letters Is written on
three official letter heads OF the Rephbli-
can State Committee. Seeing that the
letter is signed by Mr.. Cowden as Chair
man, and Mr.. Scofield as Secretary, 1t
seems that they assumed to speak in tho
name OF the Republican party OF West
Virginia. Here Is the letter which, with
outany stretch OF fancy, may be character
lied as remarkable production:
WEsr VIRGINIA REPUBLICAN, Ex. Con-,
!. WuEEESe, w. VA, Dec. 20, 1884. J
Hon. c. A. Arthur, WdGhington, D. c.:
Mr.. PREsiDENT:-The election in this
State last October and November demon
strated the fact that West Virginia can
hereafter be relied on to 90 Republican.
We are exceedingly anxious 70 accom-,
plish this result aud 10 do II must appro.
PIRATE all legitimate means and aids within
our reach. With the results OF November
now before Us, Of course the matter Of
Federal appointments cannot be anticipat-
4 oil al nnn ~ Itnnnh aid nxnnhk "A far m