New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-30
TIE SENATE CATCTSES.
A LIVELY TIME AMONG THE REPUBLICAN, Ppo
sIION TO CONKIING-EDMUNDs's GREAT INFLU
INTERCHANGEABLE NOMINATIONS

slfION TO CONKIING-EDMuNDS's GREAT INFLU-
ESCE-DEMoCRATIC NOMINATIONS.
TBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSE.1
WASHINGTON. Jan. 29.-The same dispute which
disturbed the harmony of the Republicans in tho
House caucus last week, when members of the
electoral committee were nominated, broke out
among their brethren in the Senate to-day. Safe
from the hearing of the public, behind the locked
doors of the caucus-room, moderates and extremists
could not refrain from giving each other piece OF
their respective minds.
Last Friday it was thou ght that such an affair had
been forestalled by general agreement, that Mr.
Edmunds and Mr. Morton should be appointed to
represent the friends and the opponents of the
promise, and that Mr.. Howe should be the third
man. he not being offensive to either party, al
though a supporter of the bill This amicable set
Element was disturbed this morning by the refusal
OF Mr. Howe to serve. His decnaton like the
removal Of the rivct which had held the two fac
tons together in friendly union. The Edmunds
party wanted to have Mr.. COnklin9 chosen. The
Morton party expressed distrust of AIr. Conkling5
soundness on the questions essential to the main
tenance of Gov. Hayes's claims. They alleged
that he has been reported to have SAID
things in private conversation which leave grave
doubts as to his real position: that besides he waited
nearly two months after Congress met before even
saying AS much that he believed Gov Hayes was
elected, keeping up all the while mysterious ret
icence. Mr.. Edmunds strongly urged Mr.
Conkl ing's appointment. Mr. Conklirg himself
finally ended all question that score By pos
itlvey declining to serve if chosen and stating that
be did not wish the place. The Morton party pre-
scented the name of Mr.. Mcmillan of Minnesota and
were carrying the Caucus for him when Mr. Ed
munds said that he would have nothing to do with
the compromise if two enemies of the whole scheme
of settlement were put upon the Senate delegation.
In the midst of the excitement which followed the
Vermont Senator's remarks the houro noon arrived,
and the caucus Obliged to adourn to attend the
session of the Senate 1t met again AT o'clock, and
after q good deal of discussion, Mr.. Frelinghuysen
was put forward to heal the breach, and was elected
rs the third member of the commission Mr.. Ed
munds and Mr.. Morton having been previously
chosen. This conclusion, although it came some
what in the nature of compromise, was neyerthe-
less substantial victory for the moderate party, in
as,nuch as Mr. Edmunds had all the while strenu-
ously insisted that of the three Republican Senator's
on tbe commission two should be men who supported
the bill
The Democratic Senators held a caucus this after
noon to select their two members of the commission
Senator Stevenson was in the chair and said that it
had been agreed with the Republicans that three
members of that party and two Democrats should
be voted for on the same ticket. There was some
objection 10 this from Senators who thought that
they ought not to be compelled to. vote for man as
distasteful TO them politically as Mr.. Norton Mr.
Wallace proposed limited vote system, by which
every Senator could name three candidates, and The
five highest be chosen. This would result in the
choice of three Republicans and two Democrats Just
as well as the plan adopted would. 1t was thought
however, imprac,icable to agree with the other
party at this late day in a new method. Mr. Bayard
and Mr.. Thurman were unanimously chosen ior
members OF the commission, and Mr. Whyte was Sc
lectcd as the teller on behalf OF the Democrats 10
count the votes in the joint convention