, 1879-04-13


Special DtsnatcA to 7ae Trtottns-
WASHINGTON, D. c., April 12.-The Repub-
lcan Senators had q caucus to day which lasted
two hours. After thorough discussion OF
the situation, during which nearly every
Senator participated Ia the debate, the
conclusion was reached that the Sen
ators would unitedly urge an aggressive
warfare against the political amendments to the
Appropriation bill in the line marked out by
Secretary Robeson in his speech The Caucus
unanimously agreed to disregard the position
assumed By Gen. Garfield that the legislation
could be accepted It presented as separate
measure. They held, on the contrary, that
the legislation on its merits could be acceptable
it would not be revolutionary to pass it On an
Appropriation bill. They decided rather that
the proper constitutional ground to maintain
was that outlined By Secretary Robeson,-that
to repeal that section OF the United States law
BINDS THE HANDS OF TIE PRESIDENT
OF the United States, cr1pples the civil power,
and prevents the Executive, OF the Courts, or
the Marshcls, OF any civll posse, or any body Of
armed men in the execution Of justice, to appear
at the polls. This, the Republicans will main-
tain, is q violation Of the Constitution, and Of
the fundamental principles Of civil liberty, and
cannot be tolerated As an abstract propost-
ton they would not approve the political
amendments in separate bill, much less when
they consent to their adoption as amendments
to the appropriation bills Every Senator Is to
be left free to follow
his OWN INDIVIDUAL pI.Av OF ATTACK
within this limit. It is the intention Of the Re-
publican Senators to present a united front, so
that If there is any tendency to irrcsolution on
the part Of the Executive or any OF his Cabinet
t.
is unit.
It is certain that there we're some feara ex-
pressed in the Caucus that the President might
approve the Army bin, aud that Secretaries
Schu1z and Egarts and Attorney General Dev-
ems might counsel such course, but the general
opinion was that the President would stand
firm. At all events, whatever the President
might do, tic Republican Senators determined
for their part to resist to the very last extrem-
ltv the passage OF this political legislation This
augurs protracted discussion and q long sea-
sion.
The colored exodus was also considered
THE CAUCUS.
To the U<yter7. associated P7rsx
WASHINGTON, April Eat well-atteuded
Caucus OF the Republican Senators this after-
noon there VAS an interchange Of views coz
corning the course to be pursued by the minority
of the Senate In regard to the Army Approprfa-
was agreed that every possible effort should bo
made to defeat the passage Of the bill In its
present shape, for the reason mainly that tho
enactment OF the sixth section would prevent
the use of the posse comitatus on election DAYS
for the execution OF civil processes OF any aud
all descriptions issued BY United 5tates author
ity.
SEVERAL OTHER PROVISIONS
Of the bill were also considered very objection
able, and III need OF essential amendments,
among them the clauses which prohibit appoint
1nents and promotions In the army until other
wise provided By law. while at the same TIM,
the btli hoids out Inducements for the creation
Of additional vacancies by providing that nj
officers hereafter retired By reason Of wounds
shall be retired upon the highest ranks respcc1-
lively held BY them iu the regular or volunteer
service before retirement.
4 number OF Senators expressed thehr he1,rf
that the purpose Of these Provisions ia to oare
the way for the appointment into the srnnY at
the hicads ot the doaaiuant party In Congress: