The New York herald., 1869-02-23
WASHINGTON
speech OF the President TO the
baltimore Delegation.
$3.50. ~~~~~~~~o-~co~~-~~~~>~~~~
The Hospitality Of That City to be Ac-
cepted After His Retirement.
Caucus Of Republicans on tho Bill to Repeal
The Tenure Of Office Act.
THE BILL POSTPONED.
r.
THE BILL POSTPONED.
An Attempt to Increase the Presidents
Salary Defeated in the House.

Another Veto from President
johnson.
WASHINGTON, Feb %, 1869.
Caucus Of Republican Senators on the Tenure
of Onlce Bill.
From the unsatisfactory way in which the Tenure
OF Oace act taken up, talked over aud then laid
aside on Saturday 1t was evident to the managers
OF the republican party In the Senate that some pr
vate understanding should be arrived at among the
members, especially among those opposed to the re-
peal OF the law, or else coup d'6at might be per-
petfated by the advocates OF repeal anfthe statute
wiped totally out OF existence on the first VOTE
Senators Edmunds, Wilson and ConkItng determined,
therefore, that caucus law should be brought to
bear upon the question to tie up the hands OF
those favoring repeal and prevent free ex-
preston Of opinion by an open vote in the
Senate Accordingly caucus was called
for this morning at eleven O'clock which nftyone
republican Senators attended, some of whom, how
ever-as Trumbull, Sumner, Frernghuysen and
Drake-came late dt being almost noon) that they
had no chance OF taking part IN the discussion.
Senator Fowler stayed for few minutes and left
apparently Indifferent to the whole proceedings.
Senators Morton and Fessenden also left before hs
end though they felt disgusted. Senator Anthony
occupied the char. Senator Edmunds began the
discussion by speech in favor OF his own amend
ment. He disclamed altogether being actuated by
any spirtof aggression on the executive branch Of
the government or OF entertaining suspicion OF the
integrity and high patriotic purpose Of the President
eject but he contended that the experience Of
the past four years fully demonstrated that the
growth of the federal government demanded that
fl1a ut Al m
would be more safely and judlclously exercised by
being more extensively shared with the Senate. No
republican Senator he believed, felt suspicious Of
General Grant, and he declined to entertain the In
sinuation that any such motive actuated him tAfr.
Edmunds) or his friends. This amendment he was
desrous Of seeing continued for all time. 1t had
been found wholesome restriction on absolute
power aud gave better balance to the two co0rd
nate branches Of the government.
Senator Wilson wished to say that he was in favor Of
the amendment, buthe did not pretend to know what
the result would be ft to vote; but whether it
was to be amended or totally repealed, he was op-
posed to either alternative beng adopted this scs-
sion and desired that the subject should go to
the next Congress. Let them repeal or modify the
law, now and It would present an opportunity which
he was strenuously opposed to anordfng to Andrew
Johnson to lecture them on their inconsistency and
give them rasping down none Of them might de-
sire 20 bear. General Grant, he believed. was In
such hurry as some people might imagine, and was
just as anxious TO avoid seeing the Senate Of the
United States humiated by the certain uncourteous
retort OF Andrew Johnson as he (Mr. WILSON, was.
Senator Morton said that he looked upon this eau
Gus proceeding as altogether Irregular. II was out
OF precedent and should be discountenanced The
repeal OF the Tenure OF once bill had already passed
the House; it had come In the regular way to the
ment ana reported to the Senate in an amended
form. 1t came up for discussion on Saturday. and
should In the regular way have come up to-day as
unfinished business. He protested against caucus
Intervening at this stage to regulate the votes and
opinions OF members, and he felt no hesitation In
declaring that he should not be bound by the
decision OF caucus, rs II had legitimate relation
TO matter OF this character which was
already pending in open session and had
become the subject OF public debate. Senators had
already made up their minds one way or the other,
and no caucus could alter their convictons. nor
could any resolution adopted In caucus be consid-
cred binding under circumstances where each Sena-
tor considered IL paramount IN view OF the great
public nterestsinvoved in placing himself publicly
and squarcy the record. In reference to the Ten
ure OF once act ITSELF no believed It had never been
productive or any good either for the party or the
public departments OF corrupt and inefficient ONCE
holders, while t had been a universal theme with
the press and speakers OF the opposition to build up
accusations or assault the constitution from those
who enacted it.
Senator Conking spoke in favor OF the amend
mcnt using much the same arguments as those In
his Speech
Senator Fessendcn followed He said the Tenure
Of 0nicc act had had its day and could supscrve
no practical or patriotic, end. General Grant has
given every assurance the loyal people or the
try need that his administration Will be In accord
with the policy OF the party that elected him. and
win be as strenuousIy directed to the maintenance
OF the laws enacted by Congress to secure liberty
and equal rights all over the land a. II win be to the
essential enforcement OF economy and honesty
among those who are entrusted with the carrying on
OF the government For himself he wanted no further
guarantee from General Grant than what he had al
ready given and II the blame should rest anywhere
IL would be with the Senate n the internal Affairs
OF the country suffer from the retention OF this
statute.
The time for opening the proceedings OF the Senate
having arrived the caucus adjourned without taking
any action, but returned again In half m hour ana
recommended the discussion. IL was after one
O'Clock before all the republican members were pre-
sent over dozen lingering behind In their seats on
the Senate noor and struggling In by reluctant de-
grces 20 the ladies' reception room where the caucus
was being held.
Senator Williams spoke In favor OF Mr.. Edmunds'
amendment, contendng that this sudden disposition
on the part OF members OF the Senate TO abro-
gate the law IN toto was TO say the least inconsis-
tent and ndcfensibe In view OF their aptecedent po-
non lie felt just willing as any other Senator to
allow every latitude 10 General Grant consistent with
the constitution, but this was matter that looked
beyond General Grant, ana should be separated from
the feeling OF enthusiastic confidence IN his regard
that was prepared 70 abolish law from the force OF
personal influence In place OF from grounds Of prin-
ciple anc constitutional policy.
senator Grimes spoke In favor OF total repeal and
declared that he always entertained doubts OF the
legality and propriety OF the law. IL was an anomaly
~,a N fov working injury 10 The publIc servicc AMI