Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1892-07-23
CAMERON CONTROL
OF the Senate Is Such as
to Give Him Great
Influence in the
CONFIRMATION OF SHIRAS.
He May Withdraw opposition After
Exhibiting His Power.
THE POSITION TAKEN BY QUAY.
Thinks Harrison Tried to Snub Him, but
Will Not Retaliate.
CONFIRMATION OF SHIRAS.
THE POSITION TAKEN BY QUAY.
ATTITUDE OF DEMOCRATIC MEMBERS
rFRoM A STAFF CORRESPONDENT,

WASHINGTON, July 22.-There was a
mere pretense of meeting of the Judiciary
Committee of the Senate to-day. Less than
q aquorum was present, and there WAS a ma
jority of Democrats. The appointment OF
Mr.. Shiras to the Supreme Bench was not
acted upon finally, and, as 1 said last
evening, may not be for several days. 1t is
claimed to-day that Senatorial courtesy will
have more influence in this affair than was
apparent yesterday, and that Senator Cam
eron can control a majority if he desires to
chang up" the nomination.
Leaving his Republican friends out of the
question, Cameron is very strong with the
leading Democrats of the Senate, and
through them could probably control almost
the entire Democratic vote against Shiras,
with at least enough Republicans to defeat
confirmation. This was not thought to be
the fact yesterday. Democratic Senators
were not disposed to join in the feeling
against confirmation beyond few warm
personal friends of Senator Cameron.
In Return for Former Favors.
They had in other days asked favors Of
Republican Senators in the way of votes for
Chief Justice Fuller and Justice Lamar,
when the confirmation of both of those gen.
tlemen might have been defeated on par
tisan grounds, and they were not disposed
to join in crusade against Shiras, whom,
they we'll know, is not by any means vio-
lent partisan. To-day, however, the situa-
tion is changed, and Cameron is apparently
master of it.
The onlv question seems to be whether
he will exercise his power 1 am assured
by an authority little short of the Senator's
own word that he will not. Mr.. Shiras will
be confirmed, and in all probability with
out the opposition and with the vote of
Senator Cameron. The Senator has really
no feeling against Shiras, but he wants to
emphasize his protest against the manner
of the appointment. If the President
when he had decided TO appoint person
not recommended by the Pennsylvania Sem
ators, had sent for Mr.. Cameron and Mr..
Quay and frankly told them that he had de-
termined upon the appointment of one not
recommended by them, they say they would
have acquiesced in the choice of Shiras at
once.
Shiras Was Ouay's Second Choice.
Senator Quay, in fact, had told the Presi-
dent that if he could not appoint Judge
Brown, who was the choice of Cameron, he
(Quav) would prefer nc -one before Shiras.
But when the time came for the appoint
ment no notice was sent to the Pennsyl-
vania Senators, and this is claimed to be an
almost unprecedented affront. Senators of
all parties are personally interested in such
an action. 1t is precedent, hioh If Endorsed
and encouraged, would destroy to great
extent their power with the Executive.
Every Senator of the Chamber feels that in
his approval of such an act he may be in
viting some President to absolutely ignore
him in connection with the most important
appointments.
But, repeat, 1 am in a position to say
that Senator Cameron will not carry the war
TO the extent Of insisting on the rejection of
Mr. Shiras. He will show his influence
with the Senate, his ability to command the
rejection, and then will offer no further op-
position in the matter.
Senator Quay, as has been said, is not
opposed to the nomination. When the
vacancy occurred on the Supreme Bench he
had no personal choice for the place, and
Joined with Senator Cameron solely out of
courtesy to the latter, in the recommends
tion of Judge Brown.
viii Not Come to a Crisis.
If Senator Cameron were to make per-
sonal matter OF his opposition Senator Quay
could not do otherwise than unite with him.
But II will not come to that. Senator Quay
is using every possible argument with
Cameron to induce him to abandon the fight
and permit the confirmation of Shiras, and
be will undoubtedly be successful.
AT the same time Quay is not less indig-
nant than Cameron at the treatment the
two have received at the hands of the Presi-
dent, and the opposition to the latter has
been urged on both by host of letters from
working Republicans in Pennsylvania who
say that such a policy should be rebuked
even if the vote Of the State is to be thrown
against the Republican candidate. That is
the position of the disg-untled practical
politicians. LIGHTNER.