Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1874-01-16
WASHINGTON NEWS.
SENATORIAL CAUCUS.

SENATORIAL CAUCUS.
WASHINGTON, Jan. I3-Thc republican
Senators in caucus, to-day. determined u
give the precedence to the discussion OF
the resolutions reported from the finance
committee, regarding the resumption OF
specie payments, until the resolutions are
disposed of, and then the bankruptcy bill
and the Louisiana question will be respec-
lively taken up for action.
THE POSTAL TELEGRAPH SCHEME.
The committee on appropriations consider
ed the subject of the postal telegraph. here
tofore referred to them by the house com
mittee, and adjourned the question one
week. when they will determine what they
will do with the matter.
CUSHING DEFEATED.
A caucus of Republican Senator's was
called this morning to exchange views
relative to the nomination of Caleb Cushing,
when it was discovered the opposition 10
his confirmation was much greater than was
supposed, even bythose who had made uptheir
minds to vote in the negative on the question
OF confirmation. Edmun1s, Conkling and
Boutwell, advocated the confirmation of Mr..
Gushing. These were his principal ad-
vocates, but those who spoke on the other
side were far more numerous and before the
discussion ended it was discovered that the
nominees friends were in 4 minority
Finally the gentlemen above named seemed
to yield to the views of the majority, as the
best indication of views Of the senators 1t
can be positively stated that the mem
bers of the committee on the Judiciary
were requested to wait on the Presi-
dent in reference to the nomination. Al
| though they were not formally instructed
il was the general understanding that they
should represent to him the feeling and
views Of the republican Senators upon the
subject Is adverse to the nomination. The
opinion therefore prevails among them
that the President on hearing the statement
will withdraw the nomination. The objec-
ton to him was based On purely political
grounds.
CUSHINGs WITHDRAWAL.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE pre.iden.
called an extra cabinet meeting. to-day,
which continued for two hours, durlay
which time the subject of the chief-ju7tice
ship was considered. 4 short time bctor-
| the President private secretary set Out Tor
the capitol long letter from Mr.. Gushing
through General Butler, was received By
the President. The writer thanked the
| President for his kindness IN nominating
him for the great Office and a it IN contra
/ dictiOn Of numerous charges against him
/ frSn the newspapers and other sources. lie
/ expressed his conviction on the proprlety Oi
/ the several amendments to the Constitution
aided since the late civil war, and in con
| clusiOn asks that his nomination be with
| drawn from the Senate. The President ie-
| layed his private secretary and added to the
message Of withdrawal 4 postscript stating
this fact, and enclosed copy of the lette-
and also Cushing's letter % sIei. Davi-
| Efforts 10 obtain the letter for publication
50 far have been Intellectual. Ii i in thu
possession of the war department. Nothing
/ has vet been concluded as to a new NOMINEE
I for chief justice. 1t IS supposed in Official
! quarters that Gushing will soon leave Wash
ington for Madrid.
| The injustice of secresy, was this afternoon
removed by the Senate IRON the following
messages and letter of Caleb Gushing. and
rhey are made public. The letter OF NJ.
| Cushing to jefferson Davis was not anon
the papers transmitted TO the Senate.
I To the Senate Of the United States since
! nominating the Hon. Caleb Gushing Tor
| chief justice of the supreme court intorma
ton has reached me which induces me t.
! withdraw him from nomination a. the
/ highest judicial officer of the government.
and | do therefore hereby withdraw SAD
nomination. IS. GRANT.
| To the Senate of the United States After
signing the withdrawal | have received
| from Hon. Caleb Cushing, whose n1mina
| ton, it is proper to say, was made without
| his knowledge, a letter requesting the
withdrawal of his name, copy OF which B.
l herewith attached. l. ;. GRAM
| To the President Animated By sense
| of profound gratitude for the honor you
| have done me in nominating me to the
/ high Office of chief Justice of the supreme
I g - .+.l = / in
/ that the continuance of my name before
/ the Senate may be the cluss or occasion q
/ inconvenience TO yourself or Your politieai
/ friends there, | respectfully request y0a
to withdraw the nomination. Permit me
I to add that the charges of dislOyalty to the
union and the constitution which have been
! brought against NE IN this connection are
Utterly destitute of foundation in truth or IA
fact. | Indignantly repel the imputatioa.
| In all the time anterior TO the commence
ment of hOstilities in the southern states
| every act Of my political life was governed
! by the single purpose of preSery ing
the threatened integrity Of the Union
On the outbreak of the war | rendered my
! services to the government in the field or in
any other way which might testify my iiie-
/ lily to the Union. From that day to thiS
my devotion to the Union has been unswert-
ing, whether during the actual progress %.
/ hOstIlItles or IN the subsequent events 90
Southern reconstruction and of the success
/ i've amendments Of the constitution. t.
recent amendments Of the constitution
each and all of them, and the Legislative
acts for accomplishing reconstruction, hal
my cooperation | have supported them
/ constantly, if not in political debates. for
which my comparatively reserved habit OF
I life afforded neither occasion nor opportu-
nifty, in the courts and in council or discus
cussiOn with officers Of the government,
members of Congress. and private persons.
| entertaining the sane general re-
| pect for these amendments A. for the
other provisions Of the constitution
/ While my nomination was undergoing con
sideration IN the Senate it wOald have been
unbecoming for me to speak in explanation
of my acts or my opinions, but now, with
relative Indifference to whatever else may
have been said, either honestly or malicious
| ly, to my prejudice, it belongs to my sense
otpublic duty and it is my right to reafhru
that have never in the long courst of 10
inactive life done anact, uttered a word or
conceived thought of dislOyalty to the con
stitutiOn or the union. have the h. ,.r
to he very respectfully, G.. CUsY M