The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-04-11


gressional caucus to consider the condition
of their party and to plan for its future, and
especially for the fall elections, in which
not only a new House is to be chosen but
legislatures in several States. which are in
their turn to elect Senator'S. The HERALD
has SO long been true friend of the repub-
lican party, and has SO often and SO faith
fully admonished the party leaders to
abandon shortsighted and merely selfish
policies and place themselves upon broad
and statesmanlike ground, that we cannot
help taking lively interest in the caucus.
The meeting was harmonious and free from
excitement. although violent attack upon
the Presidents policy had been predicted.
1t was not at all probable that a caucus
called for the purpose of appointing Con-
gressional campaign committee would
have rushed needlessly into a wrangle
about the administrators policy, but
it is significant indication Of the condi-
ton of the party that the absence OF such
IN assault is regarded as triumph" for
the President. Senator Sargent proposed
resolution condemning the famous
'civil service order" by which
.'nearly ninety thousand republican officials
throughout the land" we're directed to abb
stain from participation in political move
ments, and asking that it be re-
scinded; but the "order" was prac-
tically annulled with the consent of
the President in the last election
and there was scarcely necessity for such
resolution. On the motion Of Senator
Edmunds it was referred to committee
of eleven, with power to confer with the
President on the subject. The caucus held
a short session, and neither Senator Conk-
ling nor Senator Blaine was present.
The republican leaders, when they
had their doors bolted and their guards
set outside, ought to have begun by
taking an account Of stock. This is
not very pleasant operation for
them. for they will discover that they have
been, SO to speak, carrying on business at a
steady loss for good many years In 1865
they had in the Senate ~ majority ]; in
1869, the year in which General Grant
became President, this had increased
to AZ; in 1871, in full Senate,
they had so majority; in 1873
they had but 30; in 1876 it had fallen to
10, and at present they have but majority,
counting Judge Davis as democrat, but IN
Guiding Senator Sharon, who is perma-
nently absent. In the House they have
been running down hill in the same way,
only more rapidly. In 1866 they had los
majority in the House in 1868 it had risen
to 1876, in 1869 it fell to sc, in 1870 they
had but 81, in 1871 the republican majority
was only 80. in 1873 it fell to IL, in 1876
the tables were turned and the democrats
came in on what was called the ground
swell" and had 70 majority, and in the
present House they have Is.
To sum up the situation. the republicans
had when General Grant came in, in 1869,
majority of AZ in the Senate and Of sc in
the House. To-day they have o majority Of
2 in the Senate, and are sure to be in the
minority next year. while in the House they
are in minority already. As to the
future the terms Of twenty-five Senators
expire in March, 1879, Of whom IL are
and 8 democrats Only five
of their successors have SO far been
elected, and of these five Messrs. Sargent
and Matthews are succeeded by democrats
Mr.. Allison succeeds himself and two DEM
six democratic Senators whose successors
are still to be chosen only two are in doubt.
Of the fourteen republican Senator's whose
successors are to be elected six are certain
TO be succeeded by democrats, and several
others are in doubt. Leaving doubtful cases
ate on the 4th Of next March must have
democratic majority Of at least 10. The
have therefore lost the Senate
that they can no longer hope to save. and
The question is, of course, whether they can
recover control Of the House.
What are their hopes Of the next House
We have taken the trouble to look over the
majorities of the members of the present
House. Many persons will remember that
IN uncommonly large number Of districts
we're carried in 1876 by narrow majorities,
and we have made list of oil the men,
bcrs who hold their seats by majorities
less than thousand; Of these there are
"a republicans and 10 democrats. If we
count only those who came in by less than
700 majority we fnd 16 democrats and 10
republicans.
When general has lost campaign after
working on q fixed line Of opera
lions, if he is wise it will occur to him by
md by that perhaps it is not the fault of the
troops, nor of his subordinate commanders
but that he himself has blundered in taking
md maintaining wrong line Of operations.
Our republican friends have, however, not
got that far yet, If the reports from Wash
ington may be relied on. They mean to
Eight it out on the old line !" they are get
ting the "bloody shirt ready to raise once
more as their banner they must, they
think, give the Southern question one more