New-York tribune., 1879-03-18
TALKS ON CURRENT ISSUES.


THE DRIFT OF POLITICAL THOUGHT.
A SKETCH OF THE REPUBLICAN OUTLOOK BY sENA-
TOR DAwts-GENTRALs KING AND CLINGMAN
ON SOUTHERN NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. HITCH
COCK ON PRESIDENTIAL AsPIRANTs.
In conversations with TRIBUNE reporter
several well-knOwn Republican aud Democratic
politicians discuss current political topics.
Senator Dawes, of Massachusetts, forecasts the
discontinue of the Democrats i'll the approach
ing session of Congress, and comments on other
questions The Hon. j. Floyd King, of Lou
isiaua, sketches the outlook in Louisiana, and
General Chngman reviews the condition OF
North Carolina politics. Ex-senator Hitch
cock, in a chat about Presidential candidates.
declares that Grant will be nominated i'll 1850
as a protest against bogus reform" and the
attitude of the Solid South.
PROPHECIES OF REPUBLICAN TRIUMPHS.
AN OUTLINE OF REPUBLICAN ACTION BY SENATOR
DAwEs-FoRECAsTING THE RESULT OF TIE TX
IRA SESSION.
Senator Dawes of Massachusetts,. was in the city
recently on his way to Washington. and TRIBUNE
reporter had some talk with him on ques-
tions of current politics. Mr.. Dawes spoke OF
the excellent shape the Republican party is
now in, its unity. harmony, spirit and deter
mination. ave have a distinct and important
issue with our adverSaries," he said. upon which
we can 90 to the people with strong hopes OF sue
cess rhe Democrats announce that thoy VIII
break MP the Government If they are not permitted
to break into the ballot-bOxes We shall uniilnch-
ingly defend the election laws. and let the Dem
ocrats carry out their threat of refusing appropa-
tions if they dare On this question l think there
is but one opinion and one will among Republ-
cans"
Mr. Dawes was asked if he felt confident that the
President would stand by his party and veto any
measure the Democrats might pass to repeal the
Election laws, whether in the form of a separate
bill or Of a rider on appropriation bill. lie re-
pled: 81 had a talk with President Hayes on this
subject just before leaving Washington, where re-
mained some days after the session ended. asked
him If he could give me some message to take to our
friends III Massachusetts. lie said Tell them they
need have no fear of me, shall stand firm" There
is not the sl ghtest doubt added Mr.. Dawes that
the President will act III entire accord with the
Republicans in Congress IN maintaining the safe
guards of the ballot"
"Is Butler planning another raid on the Govern
orship of Massachusetts, Z" Everybody supposes
that be means to try his hand again upon some sort
of platform. 1t is hard to see however, what plat
form he can construct that Will do HIM any
good. The currency question is no longer available
now that resumption is accomplished, and the state
issues he agtated last Fall have all been settled by
the action of our Legislature. Many suppose that
he intends TO force himself on TO the Democratic
party and will make their cause his own after they
have accepted HIM as their leader. Nobody doubts
that be contempates getting up some sort Of fight
next Fall"
"The Massachusetts, Republicans seem to get ex-
cited at the least intimatiOn that Butler IS gong
to Jump into the political arena" Yes; The
JRfBINI'S Joke about Butler affecting Massachu-
setts Republicans as a red rag does a bull, had
good deal of point Our people do get considerably
stirred mp at the prospect of Butler making himself
a candidate again"
In reply to question as to the probable action Of
the Republican Senators in relation to the Senate
Offices Mr. Dawes said: IL do not think we ought
to throw any obstacles IN the way Of the Democrats
putting their men in They in majority now,
and are entitled TO control the organization of the
body. There would be a manifest improperly in
the minority assuming to say who the officers and
servants of the Senate shall be. The public business
/. will no doubt suffer by the placing of unframed
men in important positions under the Secretary and
the Sergeant-at-Arms, but the responsibility will
rest upon the majority. As to the rule requiring
the assent of the Vlcc-President to the removal of
Senate officials, about which there has been some
furry in the papers of late, it is not at all likely
Mr.
TO hinder the Democrats from getting pos
session of the spOils. | expect 10 see all the
appOntees speedily removed, with the exception OF
old Captain Bassett, the dOOrkeeper who has been
for,y-eIght years in the service OF the Senate, and
wants to hold on long enough TO complete an even
half-century before he retireS."
1t is evidently Mr. Dawcs's idea that by virtue OF
the traditions and customs governing Legislative
bodies. the Democrats, now that they are III "A
majority in the Senate are entitled to
dispose of the Senate offices they see
fit and that the Republicans would
place themselves in false position II they at
tempted to interfere. Toward the close of the
interview the conversation ran upon the efforts OF
Congressman Chittenden 10 bring the validity OF
new legal-tender issues to the test of Supreme
Court decision. Senator Dawes said II was OF
great importance that such decision should be
obtained now that the Democrats, who are still III
fected with initiation hereSies have control Of legls-
laiOn He feared however, that there would be some
technical obstacles placed in the way of square de-
cisOn on the merits of the question. 1t might. for
instance be held that the grcenbacks issued since
resumption day were not III fact new issues, Dut
merely reprints OF old issues But this and all other
points he had no doubt, would be carefully exain-
ined by the lawyers before case was brought INTO
court.
MIR Dawes is in excellent health and spirits and
is confident that the approaching session Will result
In the discontinue of the Democracy
VIEWS OF SOUTHERN LEADERS.
WHAT GENERAL FLOYD KING THINKS OF THE OUT