The morning news., 1892-02-09
A BAD DEFEAT FOR HILL.
THE SENATE CONFIRMS ELMIRA'S
NEW POSTMASTER.

IaH SnNATB CONFIRMS ELMIRA'S
NEW POSTMASTER.
Bill Wanted Action Further POST
poned Until After His Snap Conven-
ton in New York-several of the
Democratic Senators Inclined to Re-
sent Els Rsquest-The Vote Far From
Close
WASHINGTON. Feb. s.-Senator Hill was
routed in the Senate to-day, horse, foot and
dragons. His opposition 10 the Presidents
nominee for postmaster at Elmira did not
even secure a roll call and senatorial
courtesy" was of no avail to keep the case
open. Senator Hill was not present in the
Senate, being busily engaged at Albany in
scheming for the New York delegation 10
the democratic national convention. The
Elmira case, where the President has nomi-
mated Louis G. Rathbun as successor to
Postmaster Flood, came up some weeks ago.
but successive postponements have been
made for Senator Hills benefit.
n CHEEKY REQUEST.
When the case camo up to-day Senator
Colquitt Of Georgia, a member OK the DEM
ocratic minority of the committee on post
offices, rose and said that Senator Hill had
requested that the subject be held open
until Feb. "A. This was too much for the
gravity Of the senators on either side.
Senator Hills snap convention is called for
Feb. %, and with the proceedings cut aud
dried, it was evident TO everybody that tho
governor expected to rush through Hill
slate In single day, and take the train the
next day for Washington. The senators
did not seem disposed TO fall into Senator
Hills plan of making the Senate mere ten
der to the Hill machine in New York. One
OF the republican senators made
the point that If Senator Hill
objected to the new postmaster
because he was personally offensive senator
ial courtesy must compel his rejection, but
Senator Hill had repeatedly said that his
objection was not, to Mr.. Rathbun, but to
the manner in which Mr.. Flood was driven
from the service
VOORHEES, AGAINST HILL
Senator voorhees, of Indiana, who is about
as strong democratic partisan as there is
In the Senate, rather surprised some of his
associates by taking ground against Senator
Hill. He had in mind, perhaps the annoy
ance to which democratic President might
be subjected year hence il tue precedent
set up by Senator Hill prevailed. He said
that it was not the business OF the Senate to
AubO bhO IllbfNco VI luo pTbhlubub
in nominating candidates for office unless
the men were Objectionable. 1t did not lie
with the senators to attempt to shape the
mind OF the President to their wishes.
HIsCoCK DEFENDS RATHBUN.
Senator Hiscock of New York referred to
the effort which had been made to injure
Mr.. Rathbun by representing him as labor
ing to secure the removal of Postmaster
Flood. The fact was, Senator Hiscock said,
that Mr.. Flood had been so conducting him
self that Mr.. Rathbun, who was on his bond,
thought it prudent to be relieved. His re-
quest to be taken off the bond probably led
the postofice officials to begin their investi-
CATION, but this was all the part that Mr..
Rathbun had in the matter aud he was not
a seeker for the place to which the Pres-
dent had nominated him. After this ex-
planation Mr.. Rathbun was confirmed by
a viva voce vote and none Of Senator Hills
friends had the courage TO call for a count.
TOOK AN HOUR AND A HALF.
By the Associated tress.
WASHINGTON, Feb. S.-The Senate has
confirmed the nomination of Louis G. Rath-
bun to be postmaster at Elmira, N. Y. 1t
required an hour and half Of the time of
the Senate to accomplish this result, not
that the contest was close, for the oppon-
ents of the nomination realized from
beaten, but the usual length
OF the time spent In its consideration was
diversified with much discussion of ''sena-
torlal courtesy and by some political
references. Senator Hill, who first lodged
an objection to Mr.. Rathbun's confirmation
was absent and his fight was made by Sena-
tor Colquitt, who is member of the post
office committee. The subject came
up Immediately after the Senate, on
motion of Senator Hiscock, had gone
into executive session. Senator Hiscock
recited the fact that he had given due
notice of his intention to ask the Senate to
act upon the nomination to-day, after it
had been postponed for many days at the
request of the gentlemen who had stated
that they wished an opportunity to ex-
anime the case. This statement led to a
long discussion of the propriety of passing
upon nomination in the absence Of sena-
tor who was directly affected by it (Mr.
Rathbun' Office is at Senator Hills home).
and also upon the propriety Of an inquiry
by the Senate into the Presidents reasons
for removing Mr.. Flood, the old post
master.
CULLoM DEFENDS THE PRESIDENT.
Senator Cullom defended the Presidents
course and found an able assistant In the
person of Senator Teller. Not few o. the
democratic senators also were Of the opin-
ion that the Senate should confne itself to
an inquiry into the character OF the nominee
and should not undertake to question the
Presidents action In removing Mr.. Flood,
iuasmuch as no reasons we're assigned by
him for the removal. This sentiment was
80 strong that when the question was put
to vote the nays were so few in number
that there was no call for the yeas and nays
and the nomination was confirmed with un-
expected ease. Inasmuch as the President
had not been notified of the action Of the
Senate the fact Of the confirmation was
not officially made public with the other
combinations announced to-day.