New-York tribune., 1866-12-03
WASHINGTON.
TIE RFPrRLIcAN CAUCUS.

]
RESTRICT THE APPOINTING POwBR-A DEPARTMENT
INTERNAL MISUNDERSTANDING STATEMENT CON
cgRvISG TRg PRESIDENT AND JOHN Il. sURRAIT--
THE PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
BY rEIEeRAPH TRIBUNE
WlsIuNoIoN Dec . lstG.
The House caucus OF Saturday evening has struck
nkey note fer the session. With few exceptions, the
Radical members have come back from their conStu-
ents and from the great victories of the Fall with
spirit Of resolute fidelity TO their great trust and with
higher courage for the struggle which the continued
hostility Of the Executive will compel them to wage
The party was never so compact as to-day. late
repentance has brought within its lines some Of the
Conservative guerras Of the last session, and any
measure of public necessity there is no longer doubt
that more than twothrds of either House will unite
against Presidential veto. That member Of the House
Of Representatives who knows it most intimately and
Is best entitled to speak in its name that
four-ths OF its members stand ready TO vote articles
of impeachment. Whether such articles SHALL or
shall not. be laid upon the table OF the House Will
probably depend on the temper Of certain members Of
the Senate yet to be ascertained. Mr. BoutweliS 5
resolution in caucus looking TO an investigation and
impeachment, received tunutuOus welcome. Still,
il is nOt commonly believed that any existing ba-
sis of facts, the impeachment will be proceeded with
IL is known spite of cooked reports 10 the contrary
1clegraDhPQ
will hold out no olive branches TO the eXpeetant grasp OF
Congress IL that fmctiOnary shall make any tender
of compromise, IL will be only such as may breed con-
fusion in loyal councils. The proceedings of the
caucus sufficiently show by what preliminary measures
Congress PROPOSES 10 guard its prerOgaves and pro-
vide for the public safety. Mr. Garfelds bill will
declare in substance permanent session OF Congress,
and together with another bill not mentioned IN eau
Gus will leave neither moment OF interval between
the 39th and 10th Congresses, nor any opp0r-
ift IN obs
It is proposed TO prescribe more exactly than
is now done the method Of organization OF the House
and 20 lock every door through which outsiders might
now attempt to intrude. On questions OF recOnSruc-
ton there is no one of the % or 30 leading members
with whom have cOnverSed who does not recognize
in the voice of the people instruction TO take care
by some means, that the Republic receive no detri-
ment and fits permanent welfare cannot be secured
by the pending Constitutional Amendment, that il
must be By other guarantees. Nor will the Presi-
dent be left free TO precipitate the country
into a foreign war, in order to confuse
the settlement Of home questions. Congress means
10 keep purse and sword in It's own hands and, while
declaring It's unchanged opinions upon the Mexican
invasion the Alabama claims and the Fenian diff
cultes il will utter rash word nor suffer the Pres
ident 10 involve the country by any rash act in respect
10 foreign affairs where It's jurisdiction is complete
and ,,r6is,-ted at bOme IT will enact impartial suf
frare ~ once In .hs Senate, Mr.. Sumner Will move
Immediately 10 take up the CNstTct oi Columbia Bill
cOnfeFring the ballot upon the blach ana press TO
vote if possible before any other business touched
There is reason to hope that the principle oi mat bl
nav so far as Congress can do H. be implanted i'll lhe
Constitution itself before another December comes
round There are men who confidently believe that
such an amendment could pass both Houses before the
end of the present session.
About 20 members. including Speaker Cofay, were
nresent Justin s Morrill, of Vermont, was called 10
The chair and Ebon Ingersol Of Illinois, was made
secretary Thaddeus Stevens was the first TO take
the floor and in a short speech, he h0ped some men,
ber would move the appointment Of a committee Of
ten TO prepare business for the session, the committee
TO report 20 the Joint caucus Of the Senate and House,
10 be held on Wednesday evening next. He did not
wish TO move such committee himself, because he
did not desire to be its chairman. Hereupon general
demand was made that Mr. Stevens should make the
motion, and he yielded. II prevailed unanimously
amid applause and the committee was made up as
follows: Stevens Of Pennsylvania Schenck OF ONO,
Boutwell, Of Massachusetts, T. b. BWashbune OF Illinois,
Garfield of Ohio, Hart Of NewYork Allison Oh Iowa,
Orth of Indiana and Pike Of Maine. The subject OF
the Congressional reception Tomorrow was next taken
up, and the programme completed Speaker Col
fax was named tO respond TO the speech OF welcome
on behalf Of the House, and Thaddeus Stevens to
speak at the banquet in the evening. Mr. Stevens
then offered resolution, in the name OF the House,
requesting the Senate not to confirm any nominations
10 I'M vacancies which there was reason TO believe
had been created for political reasons. This was
greeted with expressions of lively satisfaction 1he
Hall rang with applause. Judge Spauldng OF ONO
took execution 10 the resolution. He thought II was
interfering with the Constitutional duties Of the
Senate, and Senators probably understood their bus
mess without being instructed. IL was making
great fss about little matter. This brought Ste
Tens promptly to bis feet, who asked if 1t was
" little matter" that dishonest parasites should be
selected with basis Of partisan motives to succeed
patriotic and faithful officers. removed only because
thev would not swear allegiance 10 treacherous Ike
cutiye. Applause III this was q little matter,
he did not know of any worthy Of the attention Of
Congress He had heard OF vacant ludgesh!ps out IN
Ohio but he hOped no such consideration would in
huence any Republican. Applause Judge Kelley
said he glad the resolution was offered. Men
who had been guilty of stealing, and whom criminal
Judge he would have sent TO the Penitentiary, had
been appointed 10 office by Andrew johnson in place
Of incOrruptible men, whose only offense that
they were true their trust. lie instanccd the
of one man who had been caught stealing steam
engine from the Navy ard, and who was now one Of
the Presidents appOintees. Mr. Darling Of New-N Ork
said that worthless men had been appointed in his
District and he should do all IN bis power to prevent
their confirmation. The resolution was then passed
unanimously, even Judge Spaulding acquescng.
Mr. Stevens then read for the information Of his fell
low-members the following BILL stating that he in
tended to offer it at once and push it a within
ten days. II received with warm applause:
Oace by President by and with the advice and Of
The Senate The power Of removal shall be exercised only
SEC p In c1se of disability misconduct in office occur.
wing during The recess Of the senate where the Interests of the
public may make necessary dispnce the incumbent until
,fI ,Sr ~ bor he t,,,fol far tle pr,icir to rrer5
The disabled dfmltine officer and designate other
person 10 perform the duties of the Office until The Senate shall
have au Opportunity acting tcreon and shall De the duty
OF the President within ten days The meeting e
Senate report 20 10 the fact OF such suspension with The
reasons therefor and 20 nominate person the place and
iu ease OF c refusal of the senate such uspcH
sion either by direct thereon Dy not advising and
rho officer WHO a, @ thus suspended shall thercupon resume
the exercise Of The official iaucons though The same had
SIC That every person who has been shall hereafter he