Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1894-02-22

Supreme Court, the same position for
which William b. Hornblower, also of
New York, was rejected January 10th last.
MIR. Feckhams rejection was brought
about by an almost solid Republican
phalanx, aided by Democrats some OF
whom do not think they have been treated
by the administration with that courtesy
due them as Senators. Mr.. Hill. the most
virulcnt, the most active and the most ag-
gressive opponent of the administration,
is supremely happy over the result. though
no one familiar with the causes which led
mp to Mr.. Peckham's rejection or the re-
lection of Mr.. Hornblower is disposed to
give him credit or praise for it. Senators
are human. They had grievances, and in
order to wreak their petty spites, because
they had not received everything they
wanted, they took this opportunity to vote
against the administration.
REASONS FOR Mr.. HILLS OPPOSITION.
Some Of the Democratic Senators, how.
ever. were sincere in their opposition to
Mr.. Peckham because they did not believe
him qualified for seat OH the Supreme
Bench. They thought. too, as they state
it, that the President should not have so
deliberately invited contest with Senator
Hill by nominating Mr.. Peckham, who
was personally objectionable to the New
York Senator, and yet if the inside history
Supreme Bench were known, il would be
clearly shown that he tried to avoid a con-
test with Mr.. Hill. Mr.. Frederick A.
COudert, the distinguished New York law
yer, was Mr.. Cleyeland's first choice, but
Mr.. CUudert would not accept 1t, being
luath to relinquish the very lucrative
practice he enjoys in New York. Mr..
Peckham was the Presidents SECOND
choice, but, appreciating Mr.. Hilps
opposition to him, he would not
send his name to the Senate, thereby
assuming he would avoid q contest.
Instead he selected Mr.. Hornblower, who
had always consistently supported the
Democratic ticket. That was before Judge
Maynard was nominated in New YORK.
After Judge Maynard's nomination Mr..
Hornblower examined closely into the
charges brought against him, and arrived
at the conclusion that he could not con-
scientiously support him, and so he OPP
posed him. In retaliation Senator Hill OPP
posed MIR. Hornblowers confirmation,
then pending before the Senate. The result
is known, though Senator Hill Is not en-
titled to all the credit he has resolved for
that rejection. President Cleveland made
no further efforts to select a man who
might be friendly to MIR. Hill. He took
the bull by the horns. named Mr.. Peck ham
and has abided by the result.
The President has placed Senator Hill in
the attitude of an incorporating oppo-
nent of an administration which he
assisted in placing in power. The Presi-
dent has made Mr.. Hill reveal his political
ambition, and that ambition, as shown, is
that he is willing to subordinate every
other ambition TO the qualification Of a
personal revenge. How long such q politi-
cal course will last remains to be seen. 1t
is not an experiment in politics. 1t has
ueen tried before. There is no case ON
record where it has succeeded.
ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE REJECTION.
But for Mr.. Hills activity against Mr..
Peckham, the probability is tho vo5e
against Mr.. PeclSham would have been
even larger MIR. Hills tactics, his self
assumed leadership, actually drove Senators
to the support OF Mr.. Peckham against
their personal wishes. One senator even
refused to vote. The Democratic friends OF
Mr.. Peckham tried TO rally the Democratic
Senators to his support by pointing out
that the Republicans were making his
| confirmation q partisan question. Last
night it seemed they had carried their
point, but their personal grievances, dis.
appointments and dislikes got the better
OF their wavering party allegiance, and
they Rugged the little idols to their oNn
bosoms TO the expense of their party and
its adherents.
The announcement of Mr.. Peckhams
rejection shortly after 4 o'clock was not
much OF surprise to the crowded Hobbies
| which eagerly awaited the returns. There
| had been some missionary work by both
sides during the morning, but before the
Senate went into executive session Senator
Faulkner of West Virginia, who hGd
| charge of MIR. Peckhum's forces, was sat
| isiied that confirmation was out of the
| question. During the morning the Re
publican leaders mad drawn into line sew
cral members Of their faith who hac
! shown disposition to vote for coniirma
| ton, and they frankly explained theil
position TO Mr.. Faulkner SO also il wa,
with three or four Democrats who had in
dictated their willingness to support Mr.
Peckham il it should be shown that hC
was qualified for the position. rheil
wavering attitude OF last night was thi:
morning transposed into positive opposi
ton. They seemed to have been con
| WINGED that Mr.. Peckhain was not properly
qualified.
LETTERS IHpoRsING MR. PEcRHAM.
1t was about 1879 p. III. when the Senate
went into executive session. Mr.. Villas o
the judiciary committee was the frs
speaker. The other speakers were Sena
tors George, Gray, Mitchell OF Oregon ant
White OF California, the three forme
speaking for anu the last against con
| l4tbkGIo lAOlA JuuRt5 VI tI'
| New York State and city courts highly
complimentary to Mr.. Peckham wer
read, and there was nothing to prove tina
| MIR. peckhanl was not qualified for TIL
place. Mr.. Peckhams Democracy wa
questioned-that he had opposed certain
Democratic nominations in New York
The reply was hurled back that Samuel
Iilden, the supposed idol of the Hill
| Democracy of New York, had committed
| the ga mo pniitipal nrifnA II In worn "A nrimp
and admitting MIR. Peckham's guilt he wa
none the less guilty than Mr.. rllden. Sena
tor Hill had nothing to say.
THE VOTE.
The vote began shortly after o'clocl
and required half All hour for its compile
ton. IL was as follows:
For confirmation: Democrats - Bate
Blackburn, Brice, Butler, Gallery, Faux
ner, Gray, Harris, Hunton, Lindsay, Nc
Pherson, Martin, Mills, Mitchell OF Wis
consin, Palmer. Pasco, Ransom, Roach
Turpie, Villas. Voorhees, and White o
Louisiana. Experimentation, Hale
Mitchell Of Oregon, pettigrew, Plat, Pros
tor Squire, Stockbridge. Populist-Kyle
Total 81.
Against confirmation: Republicans
Aldrlch, Allison, Cameron, Carey Chandler
Cullon, Davis, Dolph, Frye, Gallinger
Hansbrough, Hawley, Higgins, HOaI
LOuBet halluerSon, hoTrllli fetkllSi IOWel
Shoup, Stewart, Teller, Washburn, Wilson
Democrats-Berry, Cali, Cockrell, Cokt
Daniel, Gibson, German. lrby, Jones q
Arkansas. McLaurin, Murphy, Hill, Pugl
Vest, White of California;; Populists-
Allen, PETER. Total Al.
This shows % Democrats, Republican
and POpulist voting for confirmation, an
10 Democrats, "A Republicans and Popt
lists voting against.
Paired Tor Peckham-Messrs. Camder
Gordon, Mcmillan, Morgan, Smitl
Total, ..
Paired against Peckham-Messrs. d.
, bois.. Jones of Nevada, Quay, Vanc
Total, 5.