Delaware State journal and statesman., 1866-12-11
REPUBLICAN CONGRESSIONAL
CAUCUS.

The Republican members of Congress
held Caucus on Saturday evening last. A
correspondent of the New York World under
date of December 2, gives the following ac-
count of the proceedings:-The first Con-
gressional Republican caucus was held last
night. They had tumultuous time. Every
body who had anything to say against the
President was vociferously cheered, and
no one attempted to say anything in his favor.
Mr.. Morrill,. of Vermont, was called to the
chair, and Mr.. lngorsoll, of Illinois, was ap.
pointed secretary.
Thad Stephens offered resolution that the
Republican members of the Senate be re.
quested not to confirm any appointees of
the President when there is good reason to
believe men were removed for political pur.
poses. A perfect storm Of applause followed
this. Desks ratified; hands clapped.
When the applause had subsidized Mr.
Spaulding, of Ohio, had the temerity to rise
and question the rightfulness of the propo
sition. He did not see how he could vote
for any such request. He believed the Sen
ate was as well acquainted with the needs
of the country as the House was, and thai
Senators knew as well as Representative
what was best to be done in such an emer
gency.
This drew Thad. Stephens from his chair
He jumped like an acrobat, and as he tool
the floor he was literally applauded in ad
vance, his sentiments being easily anticipa
ted. He pitched into Spaulding in terrible
way. Said he:-"We are the representa-
tives of the people, and we know quite a
well as the Senate what the country de
mands. We have right to advise the Sen
ate. And as we are fresh from the people
we ought to know what the people want
In conclusion, Thaddeus cast witherinj
lnaL At s.Nl. Il. =
that he didn't know what selfish purpose
that gentleman had in view. He didn'
know what vacancies were to be filled il
Ohio. He had heard of a judgcship, o.
something OF the sort, but he hoped the re
presentatives of the people would stand VI
to the work before them, and do il as became
men Of principle and courage.
Judge Kelley, of Philadelphia, was glad
the resolution had been offered. He didn
know how 1t was in other parts Of the
country, but in his city the appointing power
had been horribly abused Many men
whom he as Criminal Judge had sentenced
to the penitentiary, had been appointed tC
offices OF high trust and profit, and he was
willing to take the risk of requesting the
Senate not to confirm any such appoint
ments. One especially occurred to Judge
Kelley just then. 1t was that OF q man who
had once stole a steam engine from the
Navy Yard and hidden il somewhere lie
was found out, and brought it back. A.
soon as the matter got hushed up, he stole it
again. He had since then stolen all the
copper and metal he could carry off, Ht
was one Of the Presidents appointees.
Several members here said that this was
nothing to what had been bone in their dis.
tsicts. One man said that the collector in
his district stole house and lot; another
said the assessor where he lived had been
arrested once or twice for picking pockets
. third said the postmaster Of his town wa.
known 10 have stolen twenty grindstones.