The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1898-01-23
LONGSTREET NOT WELL, LIKED.
SOUTHERN SENATOR'S OPPOSE CON-
FIRMATION.

Messrs. Vest of Missouri and CafFery
of Louisiana the Speakers Against
the GeneraI-The Opposition Bas-
ed on His Connection with the
KeIIosg-W Faction I'M
Louisiana in the Reconstruction
Days-senator Bacon Speaks in His
Defense.
Washington, Jan. 22.-The Senate spene
two hours in executive session to-day in
discussing the nomination Of James Long,
street to be Commissioner OF Railroads,
which nomination had come over from
yesterday because Of the objection them
made by Senator Vest.
When the nomination was taken up to-
Gay Mr., Vest took the floor and opposed
the confirmation In sharp and vigorous
speech.
He was followed on the same side Of tho
argument by Senators Daniel, Berry and
CaffeTy.
The opposition was based upon tho
ground of Gen. Longstreets connection
with the Kellogg -Warmoth faction In poll
tics in Louisiana in the reconstruction
days of that state.
Mr.. Caffery was especially jealous in
his opposition, saying Gen. Longstreet had
in those days antagonized the best inter-
ests of his state, and for that reason he
was opposed TO him now. He held that
the generals position at that time indi-
Gated the want of judgment, which would
render him Incapable of filling so imports
ant position as that of railroad commis-
sioner. Mr. Vest stated that he had been
in Louisiana during the reign of the re-
constructionists and knew that party TO
have been perhdious In its disregard of
the best interests of the people, and said
Gen. Lonstreet's identification with II was
sufficient to condemn him in his (Vest'sl
eyes.
Senator Daniel, while concidIng with
these views, also expressed opposition to
Gen. Longstreet because of his criticism OF
Gen. Lee In his book on the war. He did
not go into details. but said he could not
in his capacity as an adviser to the Presi-
dent in the matter Of appointments consens
to such selection as this, and that he ut-
tered his dissent on this, as well as on oth-
er occasions.
He was replied to by Senator'S Hoar.
Chandler and Hawley (Ttepubicans); Tur-
ner PopulisD, and Bacon, Dem, of Geor-
gia.
The Republican senators who spoke
characterized the opposition as looking
very much like the waving Of the bloody
shirt
Senator Bacon said that. while Demo-
crat and southern man. he could not see
hts way clear to oppose Gen. Longstreet's
confirmation. While 1t was true that Gen.
Longstreet had identified himself with the
Republican party after the war, he had,
Senator Bacon said been a gallant Con-
federate officer, and on this account was
well regarded I'm the south. Mr. Bacon
also expressed the hope that 1t was time
that the disagreements which succeeded
the war and the friction which resulted
therefrom should be forgotten. As for
himself, he sald he did not dare to per-
petuate the memories OF that time, and on
this account he would sustain the Prcsi-
dent in his nomination OF Gen. Longstreet.
During the discussion there was some
reference to the fitness of the general for
the office, the declaration being made that
he was not competent to perform it's duties.
Senator White brought out the fact that
the general was n years old. The vote
for confirmation was 80 to 10.
The Senate also confirmed the following
nominations.
To Be Consuls-O. Durant, OF Illinois, ae
Catania; H. M. Hunt of Illinois, at ANTI
gura; c. V. Randall, of South Dakota, aa
Beyrut.