The Portland daily press., 1877-11-19
THE PRESIDENT AND SENATE.
Another Caucus of Republican Senators
Report of the Committee who Inter-
viewed the President.


Report of the Committee who Inter-
viewed the President.
WASHINGTON, Nov. ia caucus of Repub-
lican Senators was held at the Capitol this af-
ternoon. There was a full attendance, as the
proceedings were expected to be of Importance
Mr.. Edmunds aud various other Senators
who waited upon the President Tuesday even
ing to aequaint him with the general tenor and
spirit OF The com ments expressed by the MAORI
ty of the Republican Senators in the last eau
Gus concerning his Civil Service policy, etc.,
gave to the caucus to-day verbal account of
what occurred at the interview. They report
ed that the President, in response to their
statements of the widespread uneasiness and
dissatisfaction which had been created among
his party friends by his appointments of
Democrats to southern offices, be had argued
that his policy in this regard was not preu-
dcial to the interests of the Republican par
ty, and certainly was not adopted by him
from any want Of earnest desire for the per-
petuation and maintenance of Republican DOW
er 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
opposed to the Democratic party in the SOUTH
and would eventually secure six or eight
southern states for the Republicans.
All the Senators who were present at the in
terVew expressed themselves to the caucus as
being convinced that the President was thor
ouSuiy SoEiOuS III Luis DelleT. I1ey also report
ed that the President said he was very DESTROYS
to be in harmony with the leaders of the party,
and was gratified at an opportunity of ascer-
tanning thus definitely and clearly the views
which had been expressed in the caucus. Ad.
vice and candid criticism would always be well
come to him, and in closing he said he hoped
and believed there would be less complaint in
the future, and in any event If there should be
a difference of opinion there would be no occa-
sion for i'll feeling, and he trusted there would
be none after the reports, of which the forego-
log statement is a brief summary, had been
made to the caucus.
A free discussion ensued as to the proprie:y
and probable effects of the Presidents policy,
in case it should be pursued by him and acqui.
esced in by 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 Senators who are most distiuctiyely
known as friends of the administration" ex-
pressed doubts whether its pursuance would
have the effect of which the President is san
guine. No action was taken by the caucus ard
none was proclaimed. Nothing was said about
the New York custom house appointments, nor
was there any discussion over the contested
Senatorial election cases from Louisiana and
South Carolina. The questions involved in
-hese contests for seats IN the Senate seem to
be generally considered purely Judicial in their
nature, and are outside of caucus control. q