Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-19
SENATORIAL CAUCUS.
Meeting of Republican Senators to Tall
About Civil Service.
REPORT OF AN INTERVIEW WITH
THE PRESIDENT.
THE PRESIDENT CONFIDENT THAT HIS
POLICY WILIa STRENGTHEN THE
REPUBLICAN PARTY.

WASHINGTON. November II. A caucus of re-
publican senators was held at the capitol this after
noon. lhere was full attendance the pro-
ceealngs were expected to be Of Importance.
Mr.. Edmunds and various other senators who
waited on the President last Tuesday evening to
acquaint hm with the general tenor and spirit of
the comments expressed by the majority OF the re
publican senators in the last caucus, concerning
ms civ service policy, etc., gave to the caucus to-
DAY q verbal account of what occurred at the in
terview.
They reported that the President in response to
their statements Of the wide spread uneasiness
ana dissatisfaction which had been created among
MS party friends by his appointment Of democrats
to Southern offices. &C., had argued that his policy
IN this regard was not prejudical to the interests
OF the republican party, and certainly was not
adopted by him from any want of earnest desire
Tor The perpetustion and maintenance of republic
can power and principles. On the contrary, it
was his expectation and belief that pursuance of
this policy would promote the coalition of the old
wing and various other elements naturally oppos-
ed TO the democratic party in the South, and would
eventually secure six or eight Southern States to
the republicans. All the senators who were pres
ent at the interview expressed themselves to the
caucus as beng convinced that the President was
thoroughly sincere in this belief.
They also reported that the President said he
was very DESTROYS to be in harmony with the lead.
ers OF the party, and was gratifed to have had an
opportunity OF ascertaining thus definitely and
clearly the views which had been expressed in the
cancus. Advice and candid criticism would al
ways be welcome TO him, and closing he said he
hoped and believed there would be less cause for
complaint in the future, and in any event, if there
should be difference OF opinion, there would be
no occasion for i'll feeling, and he trusted there
would be none.
After the reports, Of which the foreg DING state.
ment is brief summary, had been made to the
caucus, free discussion ensued as to the pro-
prety and probable effects OF the Presidents poll
| cy, IN case 1t should be pursued by him and &C.
quiesed IN bv the Senate. An interchange of
views developed an almost unanimous opinion that
the policy of appointing democrats to office in the
South is not wise or sound, and even those sena-
tors who are most distnctively known as friends
of the administration" expressed doubts whether
its pursuance would have the effect of which the
President is ssnguiDe.
No action was taken by the caucus and none
was proposed. Nothing was said about the New
lork custom house appointments, nor was there
any discussion of the contested senatorial election
cases from Louisiana and South Carolina. The
questions involved in these contests for these seats
In the Senate seem to be generally considered as
purely judicial in their nature, and are outside of
caucus control