The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1877-10-23
THE PRESIDENTS POLICY.
Conference of Republican Corgressmen
and Others

Conference of Republican Congressmen
and Others.
WASHINGTON, Oct. % "A meeting of Re-
pubcao Congressman and others has been
held to discuss the Presidential policy and their
probable action.
Secretary Sherman said nothing in reference
to the Southern policy. BE urged the import
ancc of Republican members calling upon the
President and talking freely with him, and
thought it would be serious mistake should
they absent themselves habitually on account
of dissatisfaction with the civil service order
and it's operations. Secretary Sherman insisted
that the order had been misnterpretel and
misunderstood. and in this he was warmly
secluded by Messrs. Garfi,ld and Foster. They
each took the position that the Presidents
intent was not to prevent once boiders from
after the conventions had put ticket in the
field.
Gen. Cox of Ohio defended the President,
aud argued that President Hayes simply car
ried int, practical effect the P Esn
publican parry aud his letter OF acceptance
Here Mr.. Frye of Maine asked Cox to
point to that plank ia the platform, or
that clause in the letter of acceptance, which
foreshadowed the appointment OF an ex Con-
Tolerate and strong Democrat to Cabinet
position.
Mr.. Grape Of Massachusetts, indicated his
support of the Southern policy and the civil
service Order
Mr. Frye spoke in very strong condemnatory
terms of the Southern policy and the Pres-
dents civil service reform.
Mr. Halepdirected his remarks chiefly to the
treatment Of anticipated Democratic resolu-
tions.
Neither Mr.. Garfield nor Mr.. Foster had
much to say in reference to the Southern
policy. They chiefly discussed the necessity of
avoiding a split in the party.
Martin |. Townsend of Nav York said he
bad felt kindly toward the President and de-
sired to support him cordially, but he had
become impressed that the President regards
the members of Congress as set of scam ps,
and as he was considered a tolerably respectable
man at home, he does not care to introduce
himself at the White House, where he cannot
| be certain of his standing.
General Butler spoke with great earnestness
OF the Importance to the country of upholding
and preserving the Republican party. q The
| great object of Republicans should be to insure
| its success. His remarks in regard to civil
service reform were particularly pointed, and
| were chiefly in reDly to Mr.. Cox's discussion oil
| that subject They were filled from beginning
| to end with sneers at this portion of the Presi
| dental policy.
Mr.. Danford of Ohio, asked what evidence
| there is that the President since elsIdesires the
| good of the party in the choice of his cabinet
in which there are three members who do not
care straw what becomes of the Republican
party.
Mr. Cox replied that it was unfair to assume
that these gentlemen are not in accord with the
party and do not desire its success.
Mr. ThornbuTgD Of Tennessee said that thu
Republicans of that state are utterly disheart.
| ened. There is no longer a Republican organ
| ization in Tennessee. That the party has NJ
representative IN the cabinet; that it is obliged
| when seeking to accom- Dlish anything in CON
nection with the DO t. flee department. to &C
| to the President h,m-.If, as Republicans will
f.u1 Dot a.
eral.
Mr.. Blair Of New 81 ampshire inquired if they
| had received any satisfaction from the Presi
dent. Had they ever obtained what the,
wanted? Mr.. Thorpburgh said that they nevel
had.
Mr.. Cannon of Illinois, reported very genera
dissatisfaction among Tho Republicans of hi
| state.
Mr.. Dunnell of Minnesota said the r. publ
| cans of his state were not cordial toward thu
| President.
Mr.. Conger of Michigan expressed the opin
| ion that in his state the Republican feeling i
| that the policy of the z esdent towards tn
| South must be accepted as a matter of fact, ant
as something which it is now Impossible tt
remedy, and in regard to the civil servic order
nine-Ienths of the Michigan Republicans dis
| sent totally from it,
1t was agreed before the conference adjourn
ed.that the Republican delegations from tn
several states should hold separate conference
Saturday night, and agree upon some separate
course to be pursued. Several such meeting:
were held The Massachusetts delegation
agreed to vote "No' upon auy resolution. pro
posed which introduces political Questions dur
ing the extra session. A committee was ap
pointed to confer with similar committees from
other state delegations. The Illinois delegation
concluded to allow all members to act with in
dividual freedom, but desires to avoid at thi
special session any political questions.
Some OF the Democrats who heard of tn
conference and meetings of the Republican
delegations, say the Republicans are unnect S
sarily alarmed and that no troublesome resou
lions will be introduced.