Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1877-11-16
MO r N ING


accordance with the desire of majority Of
the Senate, composing those who are known
a. the supporters of the President, as well
~ those who are opposed to his methods Of
slider the causes that have led to differences
between the President and the leaders OIL
his party. The caucus was held with closed
doors, and the proceedings have been held
confidential and kept secret, according t.
the prevailing Washington idea of conf.
denec and secrecy. The TriJune's report
of the caucus says:
The caucus met at about noon and CON
tinucd in session until p. IN. 1t may be
said in advance that there was no open con-
tlct between Senators. Very ltte angry
feeling was exhibited, and few harsh words
were used. Senator EdmundS was the first
speaker. Upon hin seems to have deyolycd
the duty OF setting forth the object of the
meeting, and he did it at considerable length
and with much skill and earnestncss. lie
did not attempt to conceal his own senti-
mcnts nor was it understood that anv ono
who followed him did 20. The object of the
caucus was to ascertain the exact feeling Of
every Republican Senator, and all spoke
without reserve, with the explicit under
standing that whatever was said within
these closed doors should be considered
strictly confidential by every one present
Senator Edmund's feeling HAYES been much
wounded by the Presidents course, and yet
he is reported not to have placed himself ill
an irreconcilable position to the Administra-
ton lie advised moderation, but he also
advised firmncss. His remarks are said to
have encouraged those who were in accord
with him, and yet have been so skilfully
made as not to exasperato :he special
adherents of the President. Mr.. Conk-
ling spoko eloquently of the Repub-
lean party, its history, its good name, its
fame, and its principles-it was something
to revere md preserve. lie spoke of the
Democratic PARTY in terms Of bitterness, and
asserted with great force that its past was
black and Its future blighting. lie is said
to have spoke en- of the late New York Gus
ten House appointments, and to have quoted
the Presidents oft-repeated assertion that
competent and efficient officers were not to
be removed. lie challenged anybody and
everybody to show that General Arthur,
General Sharpe, and Mr.. Cornell were not
as good officers a. ever took the oath of
Office they were pure and honest and cap
able they had been tried they were guilty
of nothing but Rcpublicanism and friendship
to the Senator who represents the Repub-
lcans Of the State in Congress. Senator
Conkling and others, who spoke, referred to
the Constitutional provision which requires
| Al, Al ,b,n IL 81 -.
and consent of the Senate, appoint officers,
etc, and it was argued that that provision
was not meaningless phrase, anu that Sem
utors were in the line Of their legitimate
duty when they made recommendations for
appointments.
To this some of the President supporters
answered, that nobody, not even the Presi-
| dent himself, had assumed to take from SEN
ators the right to advise in the matter of ap-
| pointmcnts. :" But he pays no attention to
our advice" was the reply, followed quickly
| by illusions to many OF the Presidents
appointments, and the question =. Who
recommended the New York appoint
Ncnts ~ Many Senators dis,laimed any
personal grounds Of complaint. and spoke
only Tor the good Of the party and good OF
the country in the spirit of Cancellation.
| Senators had been advised to 60 to the White
| House and see the President and talk with
| him hut some of them said when they did
| 81 the President did not refer in his CONVEX
sitiun either to political topics or to APP
| pOintments he had not indicated any desire
to receive the the advice or the suggestion
of Senators on any subjects Senators,
therefore, did not repeat their visits. as
they did not care to 90 10 the White House
to talk about the weather or to exchange
anecdotes. On one occasion that WAS men
toned, two Republican Senators from West
ern States called on the President for the
purpose Of asccrtaining how they stood at
the White House. They desired to know if
their recommendations were to be consider
cd in matters relating to their own States.
The President at once pulled out the Gin
cinnati platform, his letter of acceptance and
other declarations on Civil Service reform.
The Senators said that they were in favor of
reform, but their declaration of principles
was very brief They were in favor of re-
moving incompetent and improper officers
and OF filling their places with competent
and proper men who belonged to the party
which elected them and the President. Mr..
Ilayes said that il the President appointed
only on Senatorial recommendation the Sena-
tors would make the appointments and not
the President. To this the Senators ans
wered that they thought they were quite as
competent to judge OF the capacity and
honesty of the people in their own State
whom they knew, as the President he did
not know the people. And they thought,
also. that it was their duty to see that pro-
per men were appointed. The interview
was not conducive to good feeling or conf
dence between the Senators and the Presi-
dent, and terminated by the latter request
ing them to send in their suggestions, but
giving no indication of what his intentions
might be.
A Senator who appeared to feel more in
tensely than most others in the caucus was
Mr.. Jones. of Nevada, whose hostility to
the President is represented to be both tire
less and angry.
OF the few who spoke for the President,
Messrs. HOar, Dawes and Stanley Matthews
were the most conspicuous. Mr.. Matthews
is reported to have said that he did not pro-
pose to bring his personal grievances into
the caucus, and he did not think that any
other Senator ought to do so either he
could settle his personal matters in the open
Senate, if he had any to dispose Of Mr.
IIoar was warmly in favor of Cancellation,
South, North, and everywhere, lie was not
as much opposed to the appointment of Dem
ocrals as some others. lie said that the
yodng men in Massachusetts would grow up |
on the wrong side unless they were encour-
aged TO 90 on the right side. lie and Mr. |
Dawes were interrupted by dozens Of voices.
and some of their remarks were not received |
with much respect
1t was decided, Just before the adjourn
ment of the caucus, to send committee to
the President, in order that he may be in
formed of the exact feeling of Republican
Senators, and learn what was said By them
lie will he told that the Senators are not in
flucnced by their desire for patronage, and
are not after the ilesh-pots, but that they do
want to preserve great party. lie will
also he told that the Senators whom the COM
mttce will represent will not vote to confirm
anv Democrats to Offices in cases where re-
spectacle Republicans can be found for the
places, and under no circumstances where
such officers are entrusted with the enforce
ment of the Constitutional Amendments and
the execution of the Reconstruction Acts
and an intimation will be given to him that
Senators mast he consulted IN regard TO ap-
puintments. 1t Is most positively asserted
tonight hy Republican Senators that the
party in the upper branch OF Congress will
act NJ a unit on all questions of political
nature, and this was constantly urged
Is IN imperative duty by most of the
speakers. 1t was generally understood that
MIR. Edmunds would head the committee,
and that ~ many Senators should accompany
lm rs desired
Another caucus will be held during the
asst part Of the week, and in the meantime
he consultation with the President will be
irld. Some Of the President warmest friends
md closest adhercnts express the opinion,
his evening. that the result of the caucus
will he better understanding between tho
administration and the party than has
xistcd at any previous time since Mr.
laycss inauguration
"a lam. "a, |