The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1877-11-22

that his after action made. him response
BILE for much of the blood that was shed.
He said that it might not have been
thought necessary to discuss MIR. Butler,
in this connection, had he not alluded to
the subject himself in his own brief filed
before the Committee on Privileges and
Elections.
WASHINGTON, Nov. II.
A caucus of the Republican Senators
was held at the capitol this afternoon.
There was a full attendance, as the pro-
ceedings were expected to be of uncom-
mon interest and importance. MIR. Ed
munds and the various other Senators
who waited upon the President last
Tuesday evening to acquaint him with
the general tenor and spirit of the COM
ments expressed by the majority of the
Republican Senators in the last caucus
concerning his civil service policy, etc,
gave to the caucus to-day a verbal ac-
count of what occurred at that inter-
view. They reported 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 Demo
Gratis to Southern offices, &C., had argued
that his policy in this regard was not
preiudicial to the interest Of the Repub
lican party, and certainly was not
adopted by him from any want of earn
est desire for the perpetuation and main
tenance Of Republican power and prin-
ciples. On the contrary, it was his ex-
pectation and belief that the pursuance
of this policy would promote coalition
of the old Wing and various other ele
ments naturally opposed 10 the Demo
cratic party in the South, and eventually
secure six or eight Southern States for
the Republicans. All the Senators who
were present at the interview expressed
themselves to the caucus as being con-
vinced that the President was thoroughly
sincere in this belief. They also reported
that the President said he was very desir-
Gus to be in harmony with the leaders of
the party, and was grateful to have had
the opportunity of ascertaining thus def
nitely and clearly the views which had
been expressed in the caucus. Advice
and candid criticism would be welcome
to him, and in closing he said he hoped
and believed that there would be less
cause for complaint in the future, and in
any event, fthere should be differences
of opinion, there need be no occasion for
ill feeling, and he trusted there would be
none.
After the reports, of which the forego-
ing statement is a correct though brief
summary, had been made to the caucus,
free discussion ensued as to the propri-
ETY. and probable effects Of the Presidents
policy in case it should be acquiesced in
by the Senate. The 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
distinctively known as friends of the
administration expressed doubts whether
its pursuance would have the effect of
which the President is sanguine. No
action was taken by the caucus to-day,
and none was proposed. Nothing was
said about the New York Custom House
appointments, nor was there any discus
sion of the contested Senatorial election
cases for Louisiana and South Carolina.
The questions involved in these contests
for seats in the Senate seem to be gener-
ally considered as purely judicial in their
nature, and, therefore, outside of the
control of the caucus.