New-York tribune., 1878-04-01
A REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.
SENATOR'S IN CONFERENCE OvER THE GRAVE fEhih'
,,-n,c,, ,try.cr TIE PARTY.

SENATORS IN CONFERENCE Wv hh Inn wa" -
WHICH MENACE THE PARTY.
my TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEi
WASHINGTON. March 31.-Amajority OF the Repuo-
ucan Senators met in caucus yesterday afternoon,
and remained in session about two hours
The strctest lnjunctions of secrecy were imposed
,non all present: and those who participated have
been more indispOsed than usual TO say anything
obout It's proceedings. They all agree i'll asserting
that tbe discussion with which the time was hlled
was not sensational in its character, and that no
definite conclusion was reached
The object of the caucus it is said, was general
interchange of opinion in regard to the present con-
dition of the Republican party in the country, ana
esnecisIlv in the Senate and to devise, if possible
some means of securing greater unity Oh party
action.
The Republicans in the Senate have lately divided
their votes in such manner upon all nomi'
nations over which controversy mas ariseh'
that they have placed it in the power OF the
Democratic minority to decide whether the Pres-
dents appointments shall be approved or not. This
has long been a subject of regret to prominent Re-
publican senators and the feeling that the Rcpub-
cans are no longer masters of the situation in that
body has made many of them indifferent, especially
TO the executive business of the Senate. 1t has be-
come the custom of some of them to take their
hats and go home whenever the legislative
sessions have closed. The effect of this indifer-
ence has been that nominees to whose
confirmation the Republicans of the Senate
have been almost unanimously opposed nave
been confirmed by the solid vote OF inc
Democrats; and Others whom the Republicans have
favored, and the Democrats opposed for local ana
personal reasons. have been defeated. In fact, the
Democrats have had almost as complete control III
many of the recent executive sessions of the Senate
lox-a in, flo VI To- WI
will be in q numerical majority.
The attendance at the caucus yesterday was not
great. Senators Conkling, Howe Hoar, Jones. of
Nevada Mitchell, Patterson and Conover were
among those who were absent. The discussion was
very informal in its character, and nearly all of
those present participated to some extent in the
proceedings. 1t is impossible. owing to the
strict secrecy imposed, to report what
each Senator said; but what might have
been inferred has been definitely ascertaned, that
the general sentiment against the course OF tue
President stronger than at any previous tiihe
since the meeting of Congress last October and that
o1,o, tbose who are known as Administration
Senators" like Messrs. Matthews Burnside, CHRIS
fancy. Hoar and Dawes, were not as earnest IN
tbei, defence of the President as formerly.
Mr.. Matthews, it is reported had very little TO
soy: and if he still approves OF tho Presidents
general policy of Civil Service Reform, he was not
as outspoken as previously IN defence of it.
1t was suggested that another effort should be
made to induce the President to act more in accord
ance with the wishes of the Republican party IN
Congress. Several Senators, among whom
are understood to have been Messrs Amunds'
Blaine and IIamlin expressed doubts OF the ehcacy
of any such effort One of them called attention TO
the visit which he and others had made to the White
House few months ago. and spoke Ill detaii, as he
had done before at caucus. OF his experiences at
the White House. The President, he said, was very
agreeable, and gave his visitors to understand
that he should certainly be in full harmony
with the party in the Senate; but. it was
said since that time he has not done a
single act which shows recognition on his part OF
tue claims of the party upon him, and II is useless
TO attempt to make him see the Importance OF
bringing his Administration into harmony with the
party leaders, or TO induce him to DO anything to
strengthen and perpetuate the party. some ratner
harsh words were used and it is reported that MI
Hayes was accused of conceit lndirestlon and de-
ceGton; ..Or cold ,,,t tho c,,,v course fl onen
for the Republican Senator'S is to stand together
Then he thought they can force the President TO
appoint only Republicans to office, and to pay some
attention to the claims of the party upon HIM.
Several Senator's said that they wOud not humil-
fate themselves by hanging around the White House
and begging the President for favors which they
know wall never be granted.
Several who have heretofore been favorable to
policy of reconciliation, have now gwen np all hope
of full reconciliation between the President and
the Republican Senators. Several important appoint
ments recently made without consultation with the
Senators who thought they had sort OF clam upon
the Offices involved have caused much bitter feel
ing and brought about noticeable change III Their
attitude toward the President.
A Republican Senator from the South declared
that it is useless to spend more time in trying
TO keep Mr.. HAYES iD the Republican party. The
President. he said, has done all III ms power to
destroy the party. and has succeeded ad:
mrably in the SOuth. There is no longer any use Of
wanted 10 know how many Senators on the floor
had been consulted by the President or members
OF the Cabinet, in regard TO appointments in
their own States, and he said he thonght inasmuch
as the President has manifested desire To get
along without members of Congress- that il is little
else Than presumption Tor them 10 persist IN inter
Iring at the White House. Their line of duty as
neuubiican Senators, he said, is plain and for his
part he should follow it,
NO ,esoiuton was passed Another caucus will
probably Dc held during the present week
geheraI press dispatch says that it appears from
inc views cAineSs'" Wy Senators that, while they
concede that the speech Of Senator Howe dol;yord
week ago, Is NANNY Jhs' In its structures ON the
course of the Administration. they can 500 mo
propriety III recalling past events in Louisi.
ana and elsewhere, and Of making direct issue
with the President; and they are also agreed that
the so-caled Civil Service Reform is deception and
failure. They therefore think that the Republi-
cans should strive to strengthen their party, ire
spective of what the President may say or DO,
and they point to the late election in New-Harnp-
shire to show that it resulted in favor
of the Republicans apart from any considerations
connected with the National Administration. They
are of opinion that IL would be better TO approve
such measures as they can IN the future rather than
oppose tho President for what has already been done
by him in his Southern conciiiaton policy, and
other measures which do not meet with Re-
publican approval besides, to make an open
Issue with the President would benefit the Demo-
cratic party 10 the injury Of the Republican party
President and they admit that they some things
In his Administration TO approve; but they doubt
the wisdom Of much Of his so-called policy. They