But Senator George J. Mitchell of Maine, the majority leader, said that Mr. Bush would not have nominated Judge Thomas unless he opposed abortion and would nominate only foes of abortion for the Court as long as he held office. The chance for backers of abortion rights to prevail, he added, "was lost when George Bush was elected President." Victory, in a Narrow Sense

The vote constituted a victory for the President in the narrow sense; his man won. But in a broader sense, by the time the vote was taken, the outcome had ceased to be the central issue. Polls showed that twice as many Americans supported as opposed Judge Thomas, but that for a large majority the dominant impression was a nomination and confirmation process out of control.

"Judge Thomas has demonstrated to the Congress and to the nation that he is a man of honesty, dedication and commitment to the Constitution and the rule of law," Mr. Bush said in a low-key statement issued after the roll-call was completed. "The nation and the Court benefit from having a man of principle who is sensitive to the problems and opportunities facing all Americans."

His tone reflected the feeling of exhaustion that pervaded official Washington, with most of the principals drained and many of them disheartened by the events of recent days.

A number of senators, law professors, historians and others have urged that the process be reformed. That would be hard to accomplish in the most harmonious times, and relations between the White House and Congress have turned rancid in recent days. But public outrage with what Mr. Mitchell called "this terrible episode" may prove deep and lasting enough to bring change.

Marlin Fitzwater, the White House spokesman, said tonight that Mr. Bush would join in the discussion of change but wanted to let the dust of the debate settle for a few days before taking the offensive against the Senate. In the Classroom

In Norman, Okla., Professor Hill said she was glad that national awareness of the sexual harassment issue had been heightened and gratified that she had been "able to go out and tell what I knew." She taught her regular classes as the debate took place.