The Portland daily press., 1878-04-01
WASHINGTON.
Caucus Of Republicau senator..


WASHINGTON, March 30.-The Republican
Senators tsday held caucus, in which the
course of the admin istration was discussed
with freedom. The only outspoken supporters
of the administration were Burnside Hoar,
Matthews and Christiarcy. The Senators were
more than ordinarily silent, refusing to talk on
the subject.
The caucus resulted in no formal action. 1t
appears from views expressed by the Senators
that while they conceded that the speech of
Senator Howe, delivered week ago, is mainly
just in its structures on the course of the adj
minisration, they can see no propriety in re-
calling past events in Louisiana and elsewhere,
and of making direct issue with the Presi-
dent, and they also agreed that the SO called
civil service reform is deception and fall
ure. They think the Republicans should strive
to strengthen their party irrespective of what
the President may say or do, and they point to
the late election in New hampshire to show
that it resulted in favor of the Republicans
apart from any considerations connected with
the national administration. They are of the
opinion that it would be better to approve of
such measures as they can in future, rather
than oppose the President for what has already
been done by him in his Southern conciliation
policy and other measures which do not meet
with Republican approval. Besides, to make
an open issue with the President would benefit
the Democratic party to the injury of the Re
publican party. They say they can do nothing,
no matter what, independent of the course the
same time they do not impute dishonesty of
purpose to the President and see some things
in his administration to approve, but they
doubt the wisdom OF much of his s0-called
policy. As committee of Senators appointed
by the caucus heretofore called on the Presi-
dent with regard to appointments, and failed
to come to an understanding, it Is considered
useless to again approach him in similar way
as the President acts independently of Sena-
t0rial advice or conference 1t is known that
the President on that occasion regarded
the call as personal matter and of no public
interest, and therefore he was not disturbed.
Under all the circumstances the Republican
Senators do not think it wise to take an active
part against the President but to do the most
they can for the interests of their party ,remem-
bering that the President has three more years
to serve.
Postoace Contracts.
The House Committee on Postofices met to-
day and Notary Public Boone was recalled.
He testified that he bid in the recent letting
for over 400 routes, aggregating over $500, 600.
His only wealth was his ability and his credit,
He assisted Peck and Miner in getting up bide
and in gathering information on which to base
the amounts of the bid, and in return they
provided bondsmen for him.
The committee were at times rather severe
on Boone, Representative Cannon especially
so. 1t appears that Boone signed bonds while
the names of witnesses to his signature were
not added till afterwards, and represented men
with whom he was unacquainted Proposals
were made out and certificates and dates add
ed afterwards, and other conditions changed,
Parties to such affidavits could not be held to
answer for perjury.
Internal Revenue,
WASHINGTON, March 81. - The internal
revenue receipts for March falling off from
the corresponding month of 1877 of over
81, 200, 900. The receipts the past eight months
show reduction of $5,500,000.
Silver Coinage.
For the close of March $1,O00,00O silver
dollars had been coined Arrangements have
been completed under which during April the
Philadelphia mint will turn out 81, 10000
Mexican Recognition.
The Mexican recognition question is likely to
come before both Houses of Congtess in the
course of a few days.
The Naval Investigation.
There was not much activity yesterday in the
way OF Investigations by House committees.
The operations of the Navy department were
looked into Saturday by the committee on naval
affairs, which had before it the surviving mem.
bers of the late firm of Wood & Dialogue, of
Ohio in connection partially with the charter
and purchase of the steamboat Burlington by
Secretary Robson. None of the proceedings
possessed much public interest