The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-03-25
POLITICAL NEWS.


: TO those who wore the blue.
POLITICAL NEWS.
The Radicals in TroubIe-A Caucus on
the eTenure-of-oA6ce Bin-A Proposition
to Suspend the Act for Four Years
The Senatorial Repealers indignantly
withdraw-Th Ultra Radio a Is
iAIarmed-The Quarrel TO be Patched
up.
The Washington correspondent OF the Balti-
more Gazette, writing under date Of Monday
night, says:
The Radical happy family came very near
snlitting up to-day, and had the separation
taken place it would have been Irrevocable.
The Radical senators went into caucus this
morning, with view to adopt some means to
get rid Of this bantling-the Civil office tenure
act-which was hatched in such haste, and
which now has most decidedly come home to
roost. After the caucus was organized Messrs.
Morton, Sherman and Warner spoke at length,
and very earnestly advocating the repeal OF
the law, and to give Grant chance to execute
his Office without the incubus of such
an injudicious and unconstitutional act.
Morrill, insisted on the law remaining
on the statute books just as it is. he
thought it was proper and advisable check
upon the Executive power, when he voted for
it in the first instance, and his opinion had not
changed. Edmunds, the great non-repealer,
which is not very gooi-in attempting to per-
suade the dlsafected that the law vac just
as applicable to the present administration as
twas to the last one. He found, however,
that his faIlacies did not have the desired
effect. and as dernier resort proposed that
the bill be not repealed, but suspended for
four years. This proposition Immediately met
the favor of those who insist on repeal, not
from any high motives of principle, but only
to keep on the right side OF Grant in order to
get full share OF the loaves and fishes. It soon
became evident that this proposition would
meet the wishes OF majority Of the eau.
Gus, and the few hiSh-minded men in the as
desiring to be bound by he vote Of the
caucus, abruptly Withdrew. This frightened
the carpet-bsggers and few others, who
saw that wedge had been started which if
driven further would deprive he brass OF the
party OF the brains necessary to keep it
bright. When Morton, Sprague, Sherman,
Grimes and q dozen others quietly aroao and
walked out Of the door, stir was created.
Here was decl led mnss. division OF the
party was imminent, and q few Of the sharp
ones saw it and knew that the only way to pre-
rent this s'consummation, most devoutly to be
wished, by the Democrats, was to adjourn and
have talk with the seceders. Twelve O'Clock,
the time for the meeting Of the Senate, was at
hand, so the caucus adjourned TO meet again
at two o'clock. Between the hours Of twelve
and two considerable talking and coaIng was
done, the upshot Of which was that when the
caucus met at two o'clock all the Radicals wele
present. Both parties mlde concessions, and
after some debate it wes agreed 10 recommlt
the bull to the Judiciary Committee, with the
understanding that it would report bill which
would 90 modify the law as to virtually remove
the restrictions now imposed upon the Execu-
n ~ nh0 NoT1N
the best of feeling, in spite OF the lll-1eellng
previously manifested.
The Presiuert on the Repeal OF the Ten
.4. ure.of-ofice Act
A Washington (March 21) telegram to the
Boston Advertiser says:
- President Grant speaks freely enough about
the Tenure -of.o Office act to persons who ask his
views. Some gentlemen who were with him
three or four days ago, furnish the following,
which is believed to be q substantially correct
report Of the interview. He said: u shall
,tryo to execute all the laws made by Con-
tgress, and mean to be Just as faithful IN
like. shoulilike to have the Tenure-of-ofice
law repealed, for it stands in the way of several
reforms We want to make, but If Congress does
not repeal it, T shall execute it the same as II
had signed it." One ofthe gentlemen asked him
:, If the law was considered binding wnen the Ben
atewas in session, to which the President ls re-
ported as answering: "Certainly; there is no.
thing in it which says it shall be in effect part
of the year and not IN effect the other part. 1t
does not say that office-holders may be removed
-atthe pleasure ofthe Executive during the time
Congress IS IN session. while strong causs IS
required for their suspension during the Jlme
Congress is not IN session. AS a citizen the
law is Of no mote consequence to me than to
any other person, but as President 1t will pre-
vent me from removing many persons think
ought to be removed" The President then
mentioned by pame the head OF one OF the
bureaus in Washington. and continued
"I do not think he ls fit man for the
place, and yet probably I could not make
out case against him.. II l knew as
much about his dolngs as he himself does,
think l could, but as it is, II should say to
the Senate, & believe he ought to be remoV-
ed he and his frienls-and he has q good
many-would begin directly to show why he
ought not to be removed, and do not know
but the Sen tie would decide in his fIvor: l
haven't anything IN the world agalns. him
personally, but I am 8 rong in the conviction
tina. could put good deal better man IN his
place. and if I'm to be held responsible for the
conduct of that bureau want o man
was some further talk about this particular
bureau, and then one Of the gentlemen
present remarked that he hoped certain
person at the head OF o bureau in an
other department would be removed. Inc
President smiled and said: swell, now, only
yesterday / lad some gentlemen here who
begged me to keep him IN. know him we'll,
and never heard but that he was good citizen;
but am convinced. and the head Of that de-
partment is convinced; that the public interest
would be benefited by putting man there
who is not mixed ~ with things OF Mr.. john
sous adminstra, ION. Some people say that he
is honest. and some say he is not am in
clined TO lL:nk he IS, but if undertake to put
him out and put somebody else in, he'll rally
against me oil kinds of opposition. He
and hls friends would work among the,
senators, and might convince some OF
them that Pm very bad mai. because
don't think he's very, good man tor 1be place
he's eot." This remark caused some laughter,
dnr,nS which the gentlemen rose TO leave, one
of them asking, as he did SO, if any nomina-:
tions would be sent in that day; "NethnS Not! aH1 Of
tn wait q few DAYS and see what onSress does.
If they repeal hat la I'm ready to maks "a a
good many nominations T. they Sont N oat repea, al
make some Changes, but If I'm liable to be