The Portland daily press., 1877-11-13
Washington News and Gossip.
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.

THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
The results of the Senate Republican caucus
are apparent in better feeling among Sena-
ers and a general sense Of relief that all
danger of rupture with the President is, for
the present. at least, averted. Details of the
proceedings are guarded with more than usual
care, but Of the satisfactory conclusion OF the
discussion there is no doubt. Senator Anthony
presided, and the session lasted from noon until
five o'clock. Nearly every Republican Senator
was present, and the interchange of views was
perfectly free and unconstraned. The Presi.
dents friends stated their views, re-enforcing
them with the results Of the recent election in
Massachusetts, while Mr.. Conkl'ng had abun-
dsnt opportunity to define his position. 1t was
stated that if the administration had given the
same effort to New York that it did to Massa-
chusetts that state might have been saved to
the Republicans and there were frequent ex-
pressions of dissatisfaction with the Presidents
appointments aud civil service reform meas
ures. Several of the Senators complained that
the President had not shown that fidelity to
party which they had a right to expect, but
none were willing to bring on open hostililies.
Senator Conkng refrained from any allusion
to the personal relations between himself aud
the President, but urged 10 strenuous manner
the duty Of the Senate to guard its prerogatve,
and not to permit removals from Office with
out just cause and satisfactory reasons.
Senator Edmunds alse sustained Mr. Conk-
lng's views of the legal aspect Of the re-
laiion between the President and the Senate,
which will doubtless have an application IN the
action upon the New York custom-house ap-
polntments No formal resolution for future
action in the Senate was agreed upon, nor was
there any final conclusion imposed in definite
form upon the Senators. Many sensational
reports of open differences among the Senators
have been current but they are without
foundation. The result of the caucus appears
eminently heathful and sensible.
THE FINANCIAL BILL.
The senate committee on finance will take up
to-day the silver bill which passed the House
last week. Certain delays and apparent diff
culties multiply 10 the path of both the silver
and resumption repeal bills. Upon the FORM
er discussion and amendment in committee is
quite sure to be followed by similar process at
much greater length in the Senate, while the
tine consumed on the appropriation bill In the
House renders action on the Ewing bill at the
present session improbable. BY order of the
House last Monday the previous question must
| be ordered on the bill oD Tuesday at three p.
m., and further discussion must be closed in
five days, appropra alton bills meanwhile hav-
ing precedence. As the navy deficiency bill is
| reported and awaiting action soon as the
| army bill. is out of the way, it appears some-
what doubtful when Mr. Ewing's bill will
| again receive attention, and 1t cannot escape
| thorough and exhaustive discussion.
SENSIBLE SUGGESTION.
Confused aud contradictory statements dur
| ing the discussion of the army bill as to the
| number Of men actually in the army drew from
General Cox of Ohio few forcible remarks as
| to the advantage of having Cabinet officers ac-
tually on the floor Of the House to answer ques-
L md oil info fha
| practical workings of the departments. Geu-
| eral Cox ssid the method of the House 10 get
| ting at facts was child's play and the intelli-
| gent people of the county had been laughing
| at 1T for years. In the present instance two
| days of deb ate would have been saved had the
| Secretary of war been at hand to answer ques-
| tons as 10 the actual strength of the army. Mr..
| Cox of New York opposed the proposition as
| unconstitutional and contrary to tue system OF
| American institutions.