Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-05-10
Still Boss.

WASHINGTON, May 9.---Ihe Republican
Senators held caucus this afternoon for the
purpose of determining what course should
now be pursued in regard to the class of exec
utive business which was left unprovided for
in the programme adopted last week. The
meeting, although prolonged to the late hour
of six, was at the last adjourned
without reaching point of action
on the subject under consideration. At the
early stage of proceedings plan was submit
ted proposing to declare as the sense of the
caucus it is inexpedient for the Senate to take
action at this session upon any contested NOM
ihation to ELL offices not now vacant. This
gave rise to long and not especially interest
ing debate as to the general rights and duties
of the Senate and of the President, the con-
tention being on one hand that the Senate is
bound to give respectful consideration to all
nominations sent it by the President and TO
act upon them promptly, and on the other
that the Senate is fairly entitled to exercise its
own discretion in regard to the time when any
nomination should be considered. About
o'clock
CoNKLING TOOK THE FLOOR
and proceeded to make a speech, which occu-
pied the remainder of the caucus session. 1t
was devoted to a history of the nomination
of Judge Robertson for the New York col
lectorship, and to q comprehensive statement
of the reasons why this nomination was politi-
cally Objectionable and offensive to him. In the
course of his remarks he entered extensively
into the subject of New York State policies
and Judge Robertson's connection with them,
particularly at the Chicago convention, and
he also gave q detailed recital of his confer
ence and understandings with the President in
regard to New York nominations, except at
various times antecedent to the nomination of
Robertson, from all of which circumstances
he argued he and the party whom he and his
colleague represented in New York had been
DEALT WITH IN BAD FAITH,
and treated injuriously. 1t is also reported
Conkling in the narrative of what passed at
Chicago, went so far as to declare he would
not support General Arthur if nominated for
Vice President. At the close of Conkling's
speech the caucus adjourned until to-morrrw.
No vote was taken on the proposition, and
no Indications were Offered as to what may be
the result of the deli berations tomorrow.
TIE EVENT OF INTEREST.
The event of interest to day was the Repub-
lican caucus which remained in session about
six hours. Senator Conkling instead of going
into the caucus, entered his committee room
and remained there until the6aucuS sent re-
quest that he would join in its deliberations
A proposal on the suggestion to rule out the
Robertson case for action by agreeing to act
only on nominations to fill existing vacancies,
was speedily fdiscarded, as such a rule would
include fully half of the nomina-
tions made However, general discussion
arose, participated in by Blair, Hawley, and
by most of the Senators. The discussion
took wide range, and embraced all topics
now of interest to the Republican party.
THE DEADIocK
Much of the time was consumed in debating
the policy of continuing the fight for the
election of Gorham and Riddleberger. Some
Senator's opposed the policy of renewing the
fight, and several, who are warm friends of
the President, declared they would not again
join in the fight for Gorham or Riddeberger;
that new and more acceptable nominations
would have to be made to induce
them to resume firm stand. Conkling made
speech of over an hour, stating his objec-
tions to Robertson, adding that Arthur and
Platt carried his ultimatum to the President
and appealing to the Republicans to sustain
him. He dwelt more particularly on what he
calls his usurpation and invasion of Senate
rights and privileges, and said: eff the Senate
did not maintain its rights they would be tax
understood spoke, saying that if the President
attempts using any functions of
the Senate they would resist, but
their speeches were rather noncommittal,
though some construe them as favorable to
Conkling. The caucus adjourned finally with
out reaching any conclusion to meet again to-
morrow.
HOW 1T LOOKS.
One Senator, who is close. observer, be-
lieves the result will be a determination to act
upon Robertson's nomination, and all others
the President may send. There is also a be-
lief prevalent that the Senate will adjourn as
soon as all the business the President may
have for its consideration shall have been dis
posed of. Senator Conkling's voluntary alb
sence from the caucus at first is attributed to
the pressure now being brought tolbear upon
the New York stalwarts to save the party from
probable disruption by permitting the Senate
to dispose of Robertson without any fight
Some of his best friends foresee defeat fol
him if he persists in the fight So many
Senator's of both pafties openly declare fol
Robertson that there is no reason to doubt his
confirmation and warm friends of Conkline
would have him remain silent and consent tC
confirmation.
Conkling has some prominent Democratic
friends inside and outside - Senate. eX.Sen-
ators Eaton and McDonaldyl&h Judge Parker
have in letters and In person urged the Demo