New-York tribune., 1873-03-10
THE REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL CAUCUS.

THE REPUBLICAN SENATORIAL CAUCUS
THE CASES OF CALDWELL, PATTERSON AND
CLAYTON-CHANGEs on THE COMMITTEES
AN UNSUCCESSFUL RAID ON THE SERGEANT
ATARMs-MR. CARPENTER TO BE PREsI-
DENT PRO TEN.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIL. .TRIBUYEl
WASHINGTON March 9.-Senator Conkling suffered
n signal defeat in the Republican Senatorial
caucus on Saturday afternoon. 1t was bis plan to
have the Senate adjourn on Tuesday next and leave
the Caldwell Patterson, and Clayton cases until
next Winter, when there would be less danger of
action that would reduce the party majority in the
Senate. Nj. Morton, as Chairman of the Committee
which had reported against Mr. Caldwell, felt bound
in honor to secure vote upon his resolution this
Spring, and had only consented TO temporary
postpOnement on condition that it should be cOnsid
cred during this extra session. The order of busi
ness was of course one of the most important sub
iects that came before the caucus and Mr. MortOn's
counsels in regard TO the consideration
of the Caldwell resolution at once after long dis
cusson prevailed In regard to Mr.. Patterson there
was also long and somewhat spirited discussion.
Ii could not be denied that there had been kind Of
understanding that the Senate should, during this
extra session. give expression to It's opinion in regard
TO the report of the Morrill, Committee, but several
Senators seemed 10 look upon this promise as of
little binding force, given excuse for not taking
up the resolution during the last hours of the ses
sion and in pursuance of a general understanding
by which Mr. Patterson was TO be allowed TO place
himself in the best light possible under the circum
stances by demanding that a vote of the Senate be
taken on his case. Some of his friends were
opposed TO calling the matter up again, and other
Senators dreaded the debate on the whole Credit
Mobilier scandal that is TO take place, as well
the necessity of performing an unpleasant duty
when the roll of the Senate is called, and so voted
against giving the matter consideration. The vote
was therefore close, but it decided that the
tion must be taken. The Louisiana Senatorial con-
test the most important of all since by it's decision
n settlement of the troubles in that State might
result was tabled in the caucus by large majority
This vote of the Republicans another triumph
for Mr.. Morton, though it is understood that the
majority of the Committee on Privileges and Elec-
tions who signed Mr.. Carpenters report did not
make very earnest fight i'll favor Of action on the
subject.
The Committee, appointed at the previous caucus
90 rearaDge the Standing Committees of the Senate,
reported the following changes in the more import
ant Chairmanships: On the Committee on Appro-
priations, Mr.. Morrill, Qde) succeeds Mr.. Cole; on
Public Lands, Mr.. Sprague succeeds Mr.. Pomeroy;
On Indian Affairs, Mr.. Buckingham succeeds Mr..
Harlan; on Revolutionary Claims, Mr.. Brownlow
succeeds Mr.. Pool; on Claims, Mr.. Scott takes the
place Of Mr. Howe: the District of Columbia,
Mr. Lewis succeeds Mr. Patterson on Territories,
Mr.. Boreman succeeds Mr.. Nye; on Education and
Labor, Mr. Flanagan succeeds Mr.. Sawyer.
The Committee on Investigation and Retrench-
ment, which never distinguished itself for anything
out its shameful New-York Custom-house inquiry,
and which during the last session held no meetings
at ALL is to be abolished. Messrs. Frelinghuysen
and Conkhng succeed TO the vacancies ON the Com
mittee on Foreign lRelatiOns caused by the with
drawal of hessrs. Harlan and Patterson. OF the
Select Committees that on the removal of political
disabilities, that to inquire into charges against Mr.
Clayton, the Credit Mobilier COMMITTEE and the
Pomeroy and Ku-Klux Committees are discontinued.
Mr. Howe takes Morrilrs (Me.l place on the Joint
Committee Oh the Library.
Two members of the Caucus Committee-Messrs.
Stewart and Scott-are reported to have favored
leaving open two places each Of the more impor-
tant committees for the Observation-Disclosures and
Democrats-whOD now constitute about one-third Of
the Senate. Mr.. ConkBng opposed this successfully.
IL h SUSPECTED tbat one ground Of bis hostility was