Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-05
Over the Nomination of Mr.. Peck
ham to the Supreme Court.
Mr. HILL and THE ADMINISTRATION
A Hot Fight is Expected in the
Judiciary Committee.
BOTH SIDES CONFIDENT

The Senate judiciary committee took no
action on the Peckham nomination today.
They were in session from 1880 until after
II O'Clock discussing the case and then ad-
Journed until 10 tomorrow for its further
consideration. There was no definite indi-
cation of the temper Of the committee, and
the administration people regarded the Do
sition Of Messrs. George and Mitchell as
doubtful. Both of these Senators have been
regarded as supporters of HILL ana II Is
generally believed that both will vote
against confirmation. but IL either vote that
way 1t is said the majority report will be
adverse.
The friends of the administration in the
Juoiciary committee this morning proposed
20 MI Hill that the nomination OF Peck
nam be reported back without recommended
uoh Ihls was, of course, to avoid an ad-
verse report. Mr.. Hill promptly declined
thls proposition. having no lack or conn.,
port.
Mr.. Cleveland's Message,
Mr.. Cleveland has sent word to the New
YORK Senators that If Mr.. Peckham is re-
jected by the Senate he will not send in
the name of another man from New York
and that the responsibility for that state
not being represented on the Supreme
bench would lie with the two New York
~>0sNASs "A meIlDeE OF the
House quotes Mr.. Cleveland as having
made similar statement to him. An
other member Of Congress states that Mr..
Cleveland said that 1t was not improbable
that II Peckham were defeated Senator
Gray OF Delaware would be nominated for
the place. Should Gray's name be sent in
ne would be confirmed Instantly without
reference to committee.
Both Mr. Hill and Mr.. Villas, representing
the antagonizing elements in the matter
II Is said. are telling their friends that
they will win. Mr.. Villas is more earnest
In his predictions today, however, than he
was last week. although he has no assur-
ances as to the action Of the committee,
1t Is said. His increased hope is under
stood to be based on the fact that the
President has determined to secure the
confirmation of Mr.. Peckham at all haz-
ards. There are well-founded rumors that
cvertures have been made during the past
week from the White House in the direc-
tion of number of democratic Senators
who have hitherto held themselves aloof
from the interests Of the administration.
Among them are Senators Cockrell, Martin.
Harris and Vest
Mr.. Cockrell, at a personal request went
to the White House recently for the nrst
time in many months. Mr.. Vest has so far
refused to accept an Invitation rendered to
him In the same manner.
How the Committee Stands.
In the committee itself 1t is thought that
the question will be settled by the republi-
can members. Senators Pugh. Hill. George
and Coke are regarded as almost sure to
vote. they voted in the Hornblower
case. for rejection, while Senators Villas and
Lindsay are expected again to support the
nominee. although the latter has been in
structed" by the Kentucky legislature to
antagonize the nomination. OF the repub-
hcans Senators Hoar and Platt are regarded
as friendly to Mr.. Peckham, while Senators
Mitchell. Teller and Wilson are looked upon
a doubtful
Platt vote for confirmation. there would be
four in favor and four against, with three
republican votes in the balance. The win
ner must gain two of these doubtful votes.
Said to Significant.
Two Of the nominations submitted by
the President to the Senate this after
noon are said to have been made with a
special bearing on the coming fight over
the Peckham nomination in the Senate.
These are John R. Walker. to be United
States attorney. and Joseph o. Shelby, to
be marshal Of the western district Of Mis-
souri,.
Ccckrell and Shelby was Senator Vests
commander in the confederate army during
the late war and close personal friend.
These nominations are generally taken to
have been made by the President with q
view to conciliating the two Missouri Sem
ators
They are both personally acceptable to
the Senators. There Is rumor, however,
that Senator Cockrell. while personally
gratifled by the nomination of his relative,
had some time ago indorsed an application
of another candidate. The story goes that
he has thus been placed in an embarrass-
ing position. Senator Vest has recently
been quoted as in 1ignantly saying that he
was not ION SALE" and that he would not
barter his vote in the Senate on any Ques-
tion OF nominations for any amount Of pa
tronage.