The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1877-11-24
Our Washington Letter.

ulatOrs Array Hill, Etc.
WASHINGTON, D. G., Nov. Is, 1877.
EDITOR CHIEF:
A caucus of Republican Senators
was held Saturday, and although the
utmost secrecy with relation to the
proceedings therein has generally
been maintained, it has leaked out
that there was stormy time between
the few friends and more numerous
opponents of the Presidents policy.
It is said a resolution was adopted
requesting the President to desist
from any further appointments of
Democrats to office where competent
Republicans can be found to serve,
and there is much speculation as to
the manner in which this attempted
dictation will be received at the
White House. A committee from the
caucus called on the President, and a
conference was held which seems to
have been satisfactory to all con-
cerned, but the nature of the subjects
considered and the conclusions ar
rived at can only be surmised. A re-
port has been extensively circulated
! that the Louisiana contest was dis
cussed in the caucus, and that the at
tempt to press resolution pledging
the Republican Senators to vote for
the admission of Kellogg created an
uproar which threatened to result in
bolt; but this has been positively
denied by several Senators, who as
sert that the Kellogg Spofford mat
ter was not broached.
Considerable sensation has been
caused here by the conviction of Car
dozo, the colored ex-Treasurer Of
South Carolina, and Robert Smalls,
cOlOred Congressman from the same
State, upon charges of bribery and
corruption. The friends of these mea
raise a vigorous protest, claiming
that the trials were unfair, the evil
denee insufficient and questionable,
and the verdicts secured through
political malice and persecution, with
a view tn darriue tha accused nf sl.Uis
influence with the colored voters of
South Carolina. The we'll known
facts, however, that the grand jury
which indicted Cardozo and Smalls
was composed of nine whites and
eight blacks, that the judge before
whom the trials were conducted is
Republican. that accused were de-
Tended by as able attorneys as any in
the State, and that the juries in each
case consisted of an equal number of
white and black men, effectually re-
fute these complaints and lead to the
irresistible conclusion that just
retribution is oVertaking the men who
made the Republican party of South
Carolina odious by their numerous
acts of bribery, pillage aud corruption
during the administration of the no.
torious Moses. Congressman Smalls
is endeavoring to get his case trans
ferred to the United States courts,
and thus prevent the execution of the
sentence which will be pronounced
by the State tribunal.
After protracted debate, the army
bill as reported by tie committee
passed the House githout division,
on Monday, and is now pending in
the Senate, with a prospect of being
there amended, rendering its recon-
sideration by the House necessary.
AS it now stands, the bill reduces the
army to 20,O00, all told. Of these,
four regiments of cavalry, each COM
pany 100 strong, are designated for
the protection of the Texan borders.
The Texas members who voted with
Republicans at first against reduction
below $4,000, were brought over to
vote for the smaller number by the
proviso in their favor, it would ap-
pear.
Wisconsin's election seems to have
had rather depressing effect upon
the opponents of specie payments and
the resumption bill. The Senate com
mittee yesterday voted to strike out
the free coinage feature of the Bland
silver bill, and it is not believed that
either it or Ewing's bill, should it
pass the House, will be reported be-
fore January.
The Senate has removed the nom