New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-05-04
TUE RrpIrBLICAN CAUCUS.


THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS s
,r,cov,rsryp NOMINATIONS TO BE VoIhp OrY Or,cs
nno,prry--MR. CoNKIINGs REPohihD -1ao- "S,-o>,
WHY THEY MAY FAIL OF sU"0Lo' ,,n cor.
,v,Ttr ,us COURSE AND THAT OF MIX 'oN-
HAN fey TELEGRAPH TO THE rhibUShl eou.4ors
,,...o.s,,, Nav s-The Republican Sena'ois
,vere in caucus about four hours to-.ay: Lib
TO- ~ safety submitted the result OF tnen -.
...S I'D very full discussion ensued oon''0-'
,,erv reticent regarding the details OF 'n."
ossdnos but ii is understood that wltnou' 90
,,,te being taken an understanding was iot'on
rroceed TO the consideration oi executive
tomorrow ,,.h orneors TO
lis also learned from source winch spPe'I piP.;oas
be perfectly Trustworthy that inc oiu'i oon,,t-
will be First the reference 10 p.dort,s
80 ,ou;nations now upon the Vice-Presiqeh's
~ yer which there will probably be no coh'es''
o.o,5 the consideration Of the treaties pendine ioi
RATIFICATION; and third, action upon pehdins "oN'i-
nations fayorably reported by committees.
t. olsonnderstood that the action OF the caucus
:. Soto~,Dnino 70 proceed with the consideration oi
oxacptive business is in no sense to De lnteIp,0u
signal that the Republicans have oeciuou 'n'Ho'
80 shandon or postpone the struggle to Obtain CON
troll Of the organization of the Senate; ou' '"' S'
strn0qle is 10 be continued as strenuOuSiy @S e'e
io understood
Hampsbire. made long speech in opposition 10 'ne
t",a;rr 90 opv executive sessions whatever until
.ho,randing resolution to elect officers should DE
d;snosed of but his views did not meet with lnuch
.rnrohat;on "Uncontested nominations was
dasned "a meaning nominations TO wmch
hath Senators Gf Republicans nom o'a'e
IN which the appointment belongs oheI
no objection In other words, the opposiuoh o'
one Republican Senator from any state VIII pre-
vent action upon it, This rule applies also to nomina-
tens for Judges Of United States Courts ana ocers
of Executive Departments in Washington Ooh-
tested nominations" are 10 remain unacted upon
uptil another caucus of Republican Senators snail
have been held. The rule appears 10 have been
framed TO cover the case OF Judge hooeIE
son almost exclusively, although IL may Po"SOiS
he appled TO other cases.
There is an impression among friends OF the Ad-
ministration that Mr. COnkling will now become
very active and do all be can to expedite the con-
frr,ation of nominations over which there H no
contest and that rs they are disposed OF ne
will be in favor of an adjournment and the post
ponement of the contest for the Senate officers untu
next winter in order to avoid a contest over the
nomination of Judge Robertson. II MI ConKhng
attempts to carry out this programme he may
encounter an unexpected obstacle. HIS niends
have insisted very confidently that no man
discharge the Committee on Commerce from the con-
alteration of Judge Robertson's case. The proba~
bility is however not only that Senator can be
found who will "dare to make such motion. but
also that such motion will prevail. Republican
Senator said to-day that at least dozen Republican
Senators would vote for such q motion, and he be-
leved that nearly all the Democratic Senators
would do the same. He thought, however, that
such motion would receive less votes that direct
ID u.
motion to confirm the nomination OF Judge Robert
son.
Mr. Conkng's friends claim twelve 10 fifteen Dem
ocratic votes against eonfTmaton Democrat, who
has taken pains 70 inform himself regarding the
views of Democratic Senators that question. said
10 a TRIBUNE correspondent to-day that he did not
believe that more than six seven Democrats would
vote against Judge Robertson. Henamed Senators
Mcpherson Groome Cockrell, Garland, Farley and
Slater az those who would probably do sc. He said.
however that he considered Senators Hill, Of
Georgia Jones of Florida, Harris, Pendleton, VOor-
hees Maxey. Walker and Fair doubtful. Another
Democrat, who is usually well informed regarding
the feeling among Democratic Senators, said this
evening that they are ready to vote almost sodly
for motion TO discharge the Committee on Com
merce from the consideration of the Robertson case
should that committee eviuce q disposition unduly
to delay report upon it.
II is understood that Mr. Conkling has made con-
siderable impression upon Republican Senators by
causing it to be believed that Judge Robertson is
personally inimcal to him. and has done certain
things to render impossible any future friendly re-
lations between them. II Is believed however that
this impression has beer. considerably weakened by
Ml Conklng's course during the last few days,
which is said has been such TO produce cOnsid
cradle resentment among Republican Senators, who
believe that he has taken advantage of the present
fnrb IA ands nd
tration.
Another cause Of discomfort has been the course
pursued by Mr.. Gorhafn. the Republican nominee
for Secretary Of the Senate and Editor Of The Ma
toNal Republican, So discOntented have Republi-
can Senators become with Mr. Gorham, that il is
more than doubtful if he could now receive the
nomination which was rendered him by the Repub-
hean caucus six weeks ago. One Republican Sena
tor blunty said in the caucus today that he is very
much opposed to the election Of Mr. Gorham. and II
is known that at least dozen other Senators en-
tertain the sentiments although thev yefrarod
from expressing themselves in the cancns '"'u
Several Republican Senator'S freely declared To-
day in private conversation that they would never
again consent 10 abide by the decision of a eaurns
that should nominate Mr.. GOrham TO be an officer of
The Senate. This perhaps Is not very astonishing
considering the course toward the Administration
pursued by The National Republican, of which Mr.
Gorlam Is the responsible Editor. Ii would appear
therefore, to be foregone conclusion that IL for any
reason the struggle for the election of officers should
Be postponed until the regular session Mr. Gorham
Noul0 not then be nominated, or If nominated
would not be elected Secretary of the Senate. This
egings up the question of the probability Of such
PosfPoDeinent indications that this is probable are
nea wanting aud indeed they point strongly TO such
arceElk
70 even considered possible that General Malone.
ne shall become convinced that the resOlu ion To
@s%e oaeers cannot be passed at this session be-
ease OF the persistence of the Democrats in their
cseluflcaary course, will. himself that il be
Eos.ponesi uutil next December. Those who think
y peAsee that General Malone will do this express