Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1881-05-11
Especial to Boston Journal
The Senatorial Caucus.

WASHINGTON. Nav 10. The leaders OF
the opposition to the Conkling view are I'M
derstood to have been Mr.. Conger, Mr.. HAZE
Mr. FRYE and Gen. Hawley of Connecticut.
They insisted that the Administration had not
had a fair chance, that it was not Just 10 lie
its hands at the outset. that there was no
reason why speedy action should not be taken
unou the Robertson case. and that the form
or caucus resolution should be reseinded.
This. of course. Mr. Conkling and his friends
opposed.
senator Logan made speech OF an hour,
taking the phase, 1.-The consent OF the SEN
ate" in the constitution for his text. his
speech in a great measure Is historical, Out So
far as it related to the pending issue, 1t sup
ported the theory of Senatorial courtesy
AS against the doctrine of Presidential or
Executive primacy. He insisted upon the
Constitutional right of the Senate IN the mat
fer of appointments. and on the right OF the
Senate at least joint primacy in advising
and eonsenting. Mr.. Logan arrayed himself
To that extent on the side of Mr.. Conkllng,
but gave him no further sympathy. He will
doubtless vote for Robertson.
Mr.. PLuMB
Made short speech in which he urged an
adjustment of the differences and favored
some sort Of a compromise
Mr.. Hoar made an aggressive, and, it is
said. a drastic speech in support of the policy
of the administration. He desires TO have an
immediate vote on the Robertson case and to
rescind the former caucus nomination.
Mr.. BURNSIDE
Made brief speech on the administration
side and in decided opposition to Conkllng.
| The debate proceeded on motion to rescInd
| the action OF the former caucus, with respect
| TO the Robertson case. but a vote was not
taken upon the motion. A motion was MADE
! to adjourn the caucus until tomorrow al
| 10. 50. but this failed, and a motion to hold
another caucus after the meeting of the Sen
ate prevailed. 1t is expected that vote will
be reached in the caucus tomorrow. and that
the majority of the Senators will decide thai
the action of the former caucus shall be re-
| scinded, and that vote on the Robertson
case shall be taken. 1t is not expected, how
| ever, that the Senate can finish its work be
fore the last of next week.
! There was a great reluctance manifested
toward coming to any vote which NIGH
ultimately result in an issue between the
President and the Republicans of the Senate
or any portion of them. The drift of opinion
on the part of the majority of the republican
senators seem to have been in favor of de
vising some plan for postponing vote upOI
the nomination of Robertson until next De
cember if some compromise cannot be made
within the next few DAYS. Mr.. Conger'
speech in support of the Administration pol
icy is said to have been very bitter, and t
have indicated purpose on his part to pu
himself to the font as an aggressive op
ponent to Conkling. Conkling would find il
Conger a foeman who could deal in his owl
weapons, lnvectve and sarcasm. 1t ha
been reported that Mr.. Frye, (who has jus
returned), in his speech leaned toward Mr.
Conkling. but there is good authority for tn
statement that he heartily sustained the AID
minstraton. Senator Edmunds desired con
Citation, and as a means to that end advO
Gated postponement of the entire matter unit
December, in order, as he said, to get all thu
light possible.