Evening star., 1894-02-16
THE FIGHT is ON
The Senate Considering the Peckham
Case in Executive Session.
Mr.. Villas DEFENDS THE NOMINATION
The Opposition Still Confident of
Securing Rejection.
SOME INTERESTING RUMORS

The Senate went into executive session
alncst Immediately after the reading of the
Journal this morning. The situation this
morning can only be described as
hot" The lines of the battle over the
PeckhSm nomination have been consider
ably frightened over night, and the leaders
of both sides were in a condition of great
strain this morning. Mr.. Hill arrived at
the Capitol at O'Clock, and was on a con-
tinuous move here, there and everywhere
about the building from that time until the
Senate met. Rumors of changes in the
probable vote of the Senate that had reach
ed his ears since the adjournment of last
Eight made him nervous. 1t was announc-
ed on excellent authority this morning that
beth Senators Cockrel and Colquitt who,
last night, were paired against Mr.. Peck
ham. were today on the side of the admin
lstration. Their votes have been won by
MIR. Villas since the adjournment.
II was asserted today by one who was in a
position to know the truth that the situa-
ton this afternoon is much more favorable
to Mr.. Peckham than IL was at this time
yesterday and that change of three votes
now from one side to the other would
change the result This indicates that yes
terday's adjournment had helped the side of
the administration more than that of the
opposition.
A RumOr as to Hill.
The announcement made this morning
that Mr.. Hill had promised to keep mis-
hands OF OF the Supreme Court nominations
IN the future, If Mr.. Peckham should be re-
Jected now, Is not generally accepted as the
truth by those who know the situation.
While it may be true that Mr. Hill will not
lght another Supreme Court nomination he
effect.
The fact that he will not make such a
night is assumed on the ground that the
PRESIDENT viii make no more nominat tons
OF the same character as those of Horn
blower and Peckham. Should Mr. Peck
nam be rejected it is accepted that the
President will take the hint offered by two
successive reflections, and will make
nomination against which no objection can
be raised He could not have selected two
men from New York city or state quite so
offensive to the New York Senators as
those whom he has made. There is prob
ably no other man available today against
whom MIR. Hill would care TO organize an
opposition. For these reasons IL is thought
Mr.. Hill will make no further fight against
the administration in this matter in case
Peckham is rejected but he has made no
promises and begged no votes on any such.
basis
senator Georges Position.
The friends of Senator George are anxious
that IL should be understood that he Is
working for Mr. Peckham, not because of
favors received or expected from the ad-
ministration. but because he believes that
Mr.. Peckham would be a good man for the
democratic party on the Supreme bench.
They assert that Mr. George will vote for
Mr.. Peckham for the same reason that Mr..
Hoar will vote against him. namely, because
IL is understood that Mr.. Peckham is
states rights man and believes in the un-
constitutionality of protection. Mr.. George
is a radical tariff reformer, and, in fact.
almost a free trader. He declares that on
broad questions he may differ from the ad-
ministration and antagonize It, as was the
case in the silver debate last autumn. but
on small matters, such the Peckham
nomina ton, he desires to he in harmony
with the administration as representing
the democratic party.
The Opposition Receivers.
Shortly after o'clock this afternoon IT
became apparent that the anti-Peckham
forces had recovered from their fright OF
this morning. They were much more con-
fdent of the vote being in their favor and
declared that the majority against Peck
ham would not be less than six, and might
run as high as twelve. Certain changes
and announcements contributed to their
confidence Senator ColQuitt was confident
ly claimed once more by Mr.. Hills friends.
When he left the Senate last evening ne
was paired in favor of Peckham. Today
he announced himself to be once more in
favor OF rejection. Senators Morrill, and
Dolph, who have been classed doubtful,
of rejection.
An Effort to Postpone.
At . o'clock Mr.. Villas was still talking
bat was showing signs Of drawing to a
close. AS soon as he finishes Senator White
of California, who has recently been con-
verted from the view of the admnistra-
ton. is to take the floor for a brief speech
against Mr.. Peckham. Then Mr. Teller is
to make short speech in favor of rciec-
tion and then II is expected a vote may he
tration's efforts to postpone the vote an
other day has not succeeded, aud Mr.. Hin
Will undoubtedly secure vote early this
afternoon.
Mr. Villas Defends Peckham.
Senator Villas speech was devoted largely
to a denial of the statements that We're
made against Peckham by those who op-
posed him. He read large number Of
letters from different parts OF the country
from prominent lawyers. who reported that
ton. Some of the letters were especially
bitter against Senator Hill. and Senator
Villas emphasized these points.
He also asserted that Il man should not
he rejected because he was opposed by a
faction of his party in New York. and that
the attempt to defeat n man because he
was not in harmony with the Senators
from that state was a preposterous propo-
sition and one which should be rebuked Ly
the Senate.