The spirit of democracy. [volume] (Woodsfield, Ohio) 1844-1994, 1869-03-30
The Tenure-Of-0fice Elephant.
THE SENATE BOTHERED.
A Square Fight with Grant, or an
Unconditional Surrender, the
QueStSOn.
ARADICAL Caucus AND A RAD.
ICAL ROW.
Washington Telegraphic Correspondence of
the Cincinnati Enquirer.


the Cincinnati Enquirer.
The Radical Senate of the United
States found it self in such close quar-
ters at the end of the debate, on Satur-
day last, ON the House bill for the repeal
of the Civil-tenure law that, in order to
save itself from the alternative of surren-
der Internationally to U. S. Grant. or of
placing itself in open antagonism to him
it was decided by the leaders yesterday
to submit the ENHANCEMENT to the dis
graceful dictation of party caucus. A
messenger, therefore, flew about the
streets last night, nothing Radical Sen
ators to be on band at the Senate cham
Der at ten o'clock this morning to decide
what position the party should assume
to save themselves and yet not strike
down the President. At hour nearly
every Radical Senator was on hand.
The doors were closed and no one was
allowed to be present unless he was a
Senator. Mr.. Anthony presided, and
those Senators opposed to the repeal
being satisfied that, with the Democrats
absent they were able to carry the day
at once precipitated resolution, offered
by NJ. Edmunds, of Vermont, to this
affect:
Resolrcd, That it is independent to
repeal the Civil Tenure-of- office Law.
This was sustained by Edmunds and
Others who have opposed the repeal in
the Senate, and much Of the discussion
of last week was repeated in the caucus.
Thayer, and others, favored the sus-
pension for four years.
The debate at times grew furious.
The absence of spectators and reporters
enabled Senators to talk pretty plain.
SECEDERS.
Just before twelve, when the Senate
was to meet, it was decided to take vote
on Edmunds' resolution, whereupon
Senator'S Morton, Grimes, Sprague Sher-
man, and one or two other repealers, got
ND and left the caucus There was no
time to lose, and, rather than foment
further trouble, Stewart, of Nevada, NOV
ed that the caucus adjourn until two p.
NJ. This was carried and, after a two
hours session of the Senate, that body
adjourned, and the Radical portion OF 1t
reasembled in caucus.
Conkling took the floor in a violent
speech against the repeal of the law, and
in the course of the discussion directed
his remarks severely against Morton,
who, he intimated was controlled in his
championship of a domineering Presi.
dent by anticipations of patronage and
power.
Morton retaliated, full of wrath and
of Conkling, and said that
the law was Infamous. He (Morton)
was opposed to it, and through he be-
lieved Johnson acted wrong, he violated
a bad law.
COMPROMISE.
The points for and against the law
were but repetition of previous argu-
ments, until four o'clock this afternoon,
when Mr.. Warner, ofAlabama, proposed
as substitute for all that had been said
and done, to repeal the first two sections
Of the law. This was carried by a small
majority, and according to the rule OF
the caucus, is bound to be carried out in
open session of the Senate, the disatfec-
ton of Messrs. Morton, Grimes and
Spague ct al to the contrary notwith-
Accordingly tomorrow the Ju
dietary Committee willreport an amend
ment to repeal the two sections referred
to. This repeal will leave the law some
what according to the old practice of
the President and Senate. He can
make removals during a recess of the
Senate, but must send the names to the
Senate. Otherwise the appointments
will fall at the expiration of the reas-
sembled session. The Senate will pro-
bably repeal the first and seconds sec
tons tomorrow.