Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-03-01
THE WEBB NOMINATION.
An Executive Session of the Senate
District Committee.

The Senate District committee was in execu-
tive session this morning from 1910 until II .S5
The committee lacked but one. Mr.. Chace, OF
being complete. 1t was not the intention OF
the committe to give any time to legislative
business. So as soon quorum developed,
the nomination of Mr. Webb, which was lifted
from the table week ago, was taken up and
discussed. 1t was at once evident that the
opponents of Mr.. Webb were in minority, but
it was vigorous minority. 1t met the argu-
ments of the majority with promptness
that was rather obstructive to the
smooth course which Mr.. Riddleberger and
Mr.. Farwell had laid out for the nomination.
At times the debate become warm but those
periods were exceptional. 1t was finally moved
by Mr.. Riddleberger that the committee report
the nomination to the Senate with favorable
report, and this motion was carried by q vote
OF to 2. Those who voted in the affirmative
were Riddleberger, Vance, Daniel, Faulkner,
Harris. and Farwell. The negative votes were
cast by Messrs. Spooner and Ingalls,
There will probably be an executive session
this afternoon, and if there is, Mr.. Riddleber-
ger will endeaver to report the nomination.
AN IMPRESSION THAT TIE NOMINATION WILL NOT
GO THROUGH.
The general impression is the Senate seems
to be adverse to the confirmation, and this
opinion comes from democrats and republicans
alike. The session is so near its close that OBJ
structive tactics of the simplest kind would
effectually shut off the joint hopes of Riddle
berger and Webb; and there is every reason
Tor supposing that the necessary obstruction
VIII make Its appearance at the proper time.
RENEWED DEAL.
Every endeavor is being made to fix up a last
ing combination between the friends of Com
missioner Webb and the devoted followers OF
Tr
summated, the probabilities would seem to be
in favor of the confirmation of both. To the
proposed trade there is. however, a very pow
erfuI opposition, minority in fact, but it is
one of those minorities which is more powerful
than the average majority.
IF MR. VERBS NOMINATION IS REPORTED TO-DAY,
as it undoubtedly will be, if there is an execu-
tive session, then the commissioners opponents
will object to its consideration. That action
will throw the matter over for one day. and il
Is extremely dubious as to whether there will be
any executive business transacted tomorrow,
for the claims of neglected legislation are
pressing the Senate heavily just now and will
continue to do so until the end is reached. If.
however, there should be an executive session
on Saturday then the opposition will be more
vigorous than ever and no deal" nor compro-
mise will receive any consideration whatever.
THREE OF THE MOST PROMINENT DEMOCRATIC
SENATORS
this morning expressed their feelings on the
subject with considerable force, they being un-
anilnously of the opinion that the democratic
party should not burden itself with the confr-
nation of Mr.. Webb.
Mr.. Farwelrs course in the matter has ex-
cited good deal of comment on the republi-
can side of the chamber, but it is understood
that the Senator excuses himself by stating
that he is under certain political obligations TO
RiGdleberger, and that Riddleberger has asked
hlm to receprOcate by aiding Webb.
A BOOMERANG.
The fact has just developed this morning
that when Senators Cameron and Quay at
tempted to combine with the democrats last
night, in executive session. they found that the
sword they proposed to use was double-edged
weapon. The question sefore the Senate was
shall we discharge the District committee
from further consideration Of the Webb nomi-
nation?' and on this the pennsylvania Senators
sgniied their willingness 10 vote AYE" Three
or four republicans at once gathered
around them and tried to get them to reverse
the decision, but the outlook did not seem to
be at all hopeful. Suddenly one of the more
prominent said, well, if you want to vote aye
you can do 1t, but 1t is poor rule that won't
work both ways. We have, hung up in our
committee, the nominations of some apprais-
ers of merchandise at Philadelphia, and as
surely you vote to relieve the
committee in this Webb case so surely will
move to do the same thing for the benefit of
the appraisers, &C."
That was knock-down argument. and the
Pennsylyanians saw its force. They succumbed
promptly.
COMMISSIONER WEBB AT THE CAPITOL.
Commissioner Webb was at the capitol to-
day and spent most of his time in the Senate
wing consulting with Senators known to be ia
vorabie to his confirmation.