The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1866-12-08
The Republican Caucus.
We take the. following report from
the New York Herald, of Monday:

AN GujOuTnSu caucus or the radical
members of the House of Represen-
tatives was held last evening, in the
hall Of the House About fifty mem
bers only were present. The meet
ing was characterized by great una
nimity among those present Hon
Justin S. Morrill,, of Vermont, pre-
sided. Hon. Thaddeus Stevens ad-
dressed the meeting, stating the
object for which it was called, which
was to secure concert of action among
the radical majority in Congress. He
reviewed at considerable length the
attitude of the President toward the
majority of the loyal people of the
country, and commented upon his
policy and the reasons why Congress
should effect q complate and perfect
reversal. At the close Of his remarks,
Mr.. Stevens submitted the draft of a
bill, which, he gave notice, he intend
ed to introduce in the House, to
govern Federal appointments, The
principal feature of this bill is that
the President shall, within ten days
after the meeting of Congress, sub
nit to the Senate full list Of all re-
movals from and appointments to
Office made during the vacation there
OF, with the reasons therefor; that
the Senate shall reject all appoint
ments made for political reasons;
and that the persons so rejected shall
be disqualified for three years there
after from holding any Office under
the Federal Government In case of
a rejection of any appointment made
by the President, the office shall i'm
mediately revert to the officer pre-
viously removed, and all appoint
ments made subordinate to the officer
whose nomination is SO rejected shall
fall with his rejection, and revert to
those previously filling such places.
On motion of member, committee
was appointed to notify Senators OF
the sentiments, Of the meeting, and
request that no confirmation of presi-
Dental appointments made for politi-
cal reasons be given. Mr. Stevens
suggested that the committee need
not notify Mr.. Cowan Of this action,
as he would perform that duty him
self
Mr.. Boutwell,, of Massachusetts,
submitted some remarks, in which he
opened up the subject of impeaching
the President He thought that a
special committee should be appoint
ed, whose duty it should be to in
quire into the whole subject, with
power to send for persons and papers
The suggestion met with the hearty CO.
operation of every member present
AT this stage Of the proceedings,
Mr.. Stevens moved that a committee
of ten be appointed, to whom all the
various propositions be submitted,
looking to plan of action for Con-
gress TO pursue, and that said COM
mittee report to the general caucus,
which is called for Wednesday even
ing next. The following committee
was then announced-Stevens, Bout
we'll, Wasburne, of Illinois, Garfield,
Allison, Schench, Hart, Orth, Morrill,
and McRuer
The propriety of changing the time
for the meeting of the Fortieth Con-
gress from the 1st of December to
the 5th of March was also discussed,
but without arriving atany confusion.
o''So 1AClleJ, VI cllHSN NlNtDiti,
submitted the draft of bill for the
creation Of a separate department, to
be called the ''Department of Inter
nal Revenue" The bill was care
fully prepared, and had met, as Mr..
Kelley said, with the approval of the
ablest jurist in the land. It was read
at length to the caucus and unani-
mously approved. The following is
o synopsis Of the bill:
Section one provides that, for the
purpose of the assessment and col
lection of internal duties and taxes.
stamp duties and licenses or special
taxes, which are now or may be here
after imposed by law, department.
is hereby created, to be called the
Department OF Internal Revenue.
Section two specifies the officers of
the department as follows: One com
missioner, with salary of $4,000, to
be appointed by the Supreme Court,
upon the nomination of the Chief
Justice. to hold his Office for the term
of four years; one deputy commits
sioner, with salary OF 81, 500; two
assistant deputies. each with q salary
of S3, 500; one chief clerk, salary
81, 500; one solicitor, salary S., 900;
one assistant solicitor, salary So, 900,
one cashier, salary $4,000, who shall
act as disbursing officer of the de-
partment; seven heads of divisions,
each with salary of So 500 and not