Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1875-02-13
THE RADICAL CAUCUS.
Vain Attempt TO Secure Partisan Sup.
port for Grant and BIS
ThieVing Ring.
What Was Said aud DOne-The Carpet
baggers Want the South DragOOned
into Their Support.

WASHINGTON, February ia joint
caucus of Republican senators and rep
resentatives was held at the capitol to-
night. Owing to a misunderstanding,
the attendance was not large. The
Joint committee of the caucuses of both
houses made a report, representing a
bill authorizing the President to suspend
the writ Of hdbeGS corpus in certain
cases, and in accordance with previous
acts, giving him the power to use the
army and navy to maintain peace and
suppress disorder, to appoint deputy
marshals and supervisors of elections in
congressional districts, who, in addition
to their other powers, can arrest persons
who may attempt to intimidate voters,
or otherwise unlawfully interfere with
the conduct of elections. Provision is
made for a fair and full registration OF
the legal voters under the prescribed
regulations; and it is made unlawful for
any of the reconstructed States to i'm
pose excessive poll-taXes, or require the
prepayment thereof as a qualification
for voters at any election at which MEM
bers of congress are to be chosen.
The bill declares the exhibition or use
of deadly weapons on days Of registra-
ton and election, for the purpose of in
VI VI NlOlcuCSg
offence, punishable by fine and inn
court, and so Of violation Of other parts
of the bill.
Mr.. Smith TVa.1 moved TO strike
out the words, reconstructed States,n
his object being to destroy sectional
passed it should be applicable to all the
Sfofno q rrOfoafn6 oOoinof fIIrf hor
Federal interference in the affairs of the
south.
Messrs. Dawes, Cobb Kas. and Will
liams Mich. agreed in the main with
the gentleman from Virginia, but
Messrs. Lawrence, Albright and Lynch
took opposite ground, insisting that
there was the greatest need for federal
interference to protect the colOred men
in the exercise of their rights.
The caucus was not altogether harmo-
nious, and, without action, an adjourn
ment until tomorrow night took place.
Several of the members stated that they
would not attend, as they thought their
time would be more proftably en-
ployed Friday night is listening to Col
faX's lecture ontthe character OF Lin
coin.
WASHINGTON, February l2.-At the
adjourned Republican caucus tonight,
there were not more than fifty or sixty
members of the house present, and no
senators. The discussion commenced
on the motion made last night by Mr..
Smith Va. to strike out Of the bill re-
ported from the caucus committee, the
section making the carrying or exhibit
ing Of arms at southern polls, for the
purpose of intimidating voters, penal
offense.
The ground of objection urged by Mr..
Smith Va. was that the section drew
distinction between the north and the
south.
In that respect Willard Mich. ],
Whitley, Hale Me and Smith Va.
favored the motion, the last named de-
claring his opposition to the entire bill.
Mr.. Wall, colored Fla. ], made vio-
lent speech against the motion to strike
out.
He was followed by Messrs. Tremain
and Kasson on the same side.
The motion to strike out the section
was finally adopted by large majority,
and the bill, as thus amended, was then
directed to be reported to the house.
1t authorizes the President to suspend
the writ of hG6eGs corpus in certain
cases, conditionally increases election
machinery in the southern States,
and visits with severe penalties
all violations of its provisions. The dis
cUssion developed the fact that Qpe-half
Of those present would not be bound by
the action Of the caucus.
Messrs. Pierce, Hawley [Conn. |, and
others, openly declared they would vote
as they pleased when the bill should
come before the house. Mr.. Garfield
took strong ground against the bill,
declaring that if it should be passed it
would mean third Presidential term,
to which he was totally opposed.
Speaker Blaine followed in q speech,
taking q similar view Of the question.
Mr.. Shanks spoke in favor OF the bill
without adulteratiOn.
The caucus was not harmonious, some
of the members declaring that the bill,
If passed into law, would in the high
est degree prove injurious TO the Repub-
lican party.
Mr.. Dawes, and several other gentle
men who opposed the bill last night,
were not present; and during the even
ing a number Of gentlemen left the eau
Gus before the conclusion had been
reached. The meeting continued till
after midnight.
a Cincinnati dispatch SAWS that IL has