Year: 1879

THE NEW YORK NOMINATIONS.


The confirmation Of General Merritt Collector Of
New York this evening did not surprise those who
have watched the case carefully. Ten days ago it
commonly said that the Senate would reject the
nomination by large majority it was even very
confidently asserted that the administration would
not get fifteen votes altogether, and this prob
ably true ut that time. But when last Wcdnes
day the executive session broke up without
decision some of Mr.. Conklings friends did not con-
ceal their disappointment and uneasiness, and since
that day the result has been considered doubtful by
the well informed. and the delays since then have
been accounted favorable to the administration.
the event has shown them to have been. Neverthe-
less, the administrations victory has caused good
deal of surprise this evening among its friends
Mr.. Conklns uniform success and the administra-
tons repeated failures combined to lead most peo
pie expect General Merritts rejection and another
triumph for Mr. Conkling


When the nomination Of Mr.. Roosevelt was rejected
the democratic Senators who then aided Mr.. Conk-
ling are known to have been reproached by their
friends with having made party blunder; but their
reply was that the administration being republican.
it ought not to theconrmation of its nomina
tions solely by democratic votes and that the demo-
cratic party desired such responsibility. 1t
understood when General Merritt's nomination
sent IN tQaI unless INC aOmlulStI6tlOu COuiu uuu
. reasonable number Of defenders the republican
side the democrats would take interest in the
casc but let it go as the republicans. led by Mr..
Conkling. should desire. What is said and done in
executive session is. of course, absolutely secret;
but common rumor has ii that for time the admin
istration republicans who camc forward to defend
the nomination of General Merritt were few in num-
Der and feeble in voice. and that it not until the
battle began to rage between Secretary Sherman and
Senator Conkling that sides vigorously taken.


Conkling republican said this afternoon that his
chief committed fault when he attacked the Secre-
tary of the Treasury directly and that he would have
done better. and alienated fewer votes, had he at
tackled only tho President and the administration
policy. On the other hand it is said that the demo-
cratic dislike Of Mr.. Sherman drawback to the
administration. and that If another person. less dis
liked. had been Secretary of the Treasury.
the votes to confirm would have been more
easily secured. On Friday it was admitted that the
administration had ten republican votes. with
prospect Of hve six more. and the fact that ecre
tary Sherman was taking personal and very active
interest in the struggle gave rise to belief that he
and the administration would probably win. Mr..
Sherman has declared from the beginning the
strongest belief that General Merritt would In the
end, be confirmed.


To considerable extent the question among the
democratic Senator'S which of the two possible
conclusions would be most damaging to their oppo-
nents? There arose, however. besides this before
them the question whether the President. being by
the constitution responsible for his subordinates
ought not to be allowed select these and to have
his nominees confirmed il they were men of good
character. This consideration had great in.
huence over those democratic Senators who voted
to confirm while others driven to Mr.. Conk-
lings side by strong indisposon to be responsible
for republican oiceholders. and desire to let the
republican Senators decide such Independently
OF the democrats.


The prolonged and bitter struggle has brought sem
sible people here to the conclusion that the coun
try and the public interest would be decidedly
benefited, without the least injury to tho
dignity Of the Senate. il the custom of
considering nominations in secret session were
totally abolished. The for this custom is
that the Senate has the duty Of examining into the
private characters Of candidates. but the examination
they make is not and cannot be thorough or an
noying than that made by the press public speakers
and voters. of every candidate who before the
people for election. There is doubt that the con-
sideraion Of nominations in secret executive ses
sions is means of injustice oftener than Justice
and that 1t is preserved tenaciously by Senator's
mainly because it is means Of maintaining that
species OF bargain which in political slang is called
the courtesy Of the Senate"