The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1889-04-04
Heiect,on o, surat Halssesd.


The Senate. on Saturday last, refused
to reconsider the vote OF that body re-
jecting the nomination of Murat Hal
stead as United States Minister TO Gers
many. This ends the matter so far as
this appointment is concerned, but it will
not end it so far as MI. Halstead is con.
cernd, as he is a fighter from way back
The reason Of the votes of several of the
Republican Senators averse to bis con.
ilrmation. is found in the severe stric-
lures OF the Cincinnati Commercials Ga
sefte on those Republican Senators who
refused to vote for the investigation of
the manner in which Senator Payne, of
Ohio, was elected. Gen. John A. Logan
was one of them, as were Senator Gull
lOm, Teller. Evarts, and probably others.
The articles of the Gozette were read in
executive session and warm debate was
had on the nomination, Messrs. Sherman
and Blackburn being among the most
earnest supporters of the nomination.
and Messrs Teller, Eyarts and Payne the
bltterest opponents, Mr.. Halstead him
self, sick in bed, has preserved an EARNED
neutrality" ony insisting that there
should be no compromise by withdrawal.
The final rejection of the nomination by
vote of 10 ayes to 25 noes, was sur
prise to many, and met with imne-
date aud rather rough denunciation
| from those who admire Mr.. Halstead's
ability and are willing to forgive and
forget the indiscretions growing out OF
his high spirit and aggressive nature.
The defeat of Mr.. Halls cad will not af-
feet his standing as one of the great
editors Of the age. His power will be felt
with as much force as ever in the past,
/ and it is OF too much to say that it will
be used in no tame or grudging manner
| A later statement is to the effect that the
President is determined to recognize Mr..
Halstead's great services to the party
and country as a journalist. aud will APP
point him minister to Germany in the
| interim of the Senate, and give that body
another chance at its next session to pass
judgment upon it.
Mr. ClarksOn Defends the Removals.
WASHINGTON, March 2s.-Gen. Clark
son, the First Assistant Postmaster Gen.
eral. was questioned today concerning GER
tain newspaper criticisms directed against
his policy in the appointment Of fourth
class postmasters. In answer he said that
practically all of the changes thus far have
been made for other than political reasons
A large number of the appointments made
during the last administration were noto-
riously bad. considerable number had
been found to be delinquent in their &C.
counts; other changes had been made in
order to secure better locations for the
offices, and in many cases appoint.
ments had been made with a view to the
removal of the offices from the vicinity OF
saloons. In every case of removal there
had been good and sufficient cau'e there
for. perhaps. Z" he added. lit is not gen
orally known that my predecessor. within
the month or six weeks prior to the fourth
of March. made over thousand appoints
ments of fonrth-class pOstmasters, for the
purpose. apparently, Of forcing them upon
this administration. This course had
never been pursued. to my knowledge. by
any previous administration. During the
last several weeks of President Arthur's
term not single fourth-class postmaster
was appointed except in rare instances.
where the exigeneies of the service de
manded it; and when Postmaster-G General
1900 designations on file in his office. The
commissions of the thousand appointees
of my predecessor were, OF course, with
held, and these vacancies. with other, are
now being filled as rapidly as possible.