The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1881-05-11
THE CAUCUS.
The Republicans Worry ing
Over Their Increasing
Difieulfies.

Washington, 10.-The event of in
terest, to-day, was the republican
caucus, which remained in session
about six hours. Senator Conkling,
instead of going into the caucus, en-l
tered his committee room and rel
manned there until the caucus sentl
a request that he would join in its |
deliberations. A proposal, or sug-
gestion, to rule out Robertson's |
case for action, by agreeing
to act only on nominations tol
fill exacting vacancies, was speedily |
discarded, as such rule would in
clude fully half the nominations |
made. However, a general discus
sion arose, participated in by BLAIR,
Hoar, Frye, EdmundS, Dawes, and,
in fact, by nearly all present. The
discussion took wide range, and
embraced all topics now of interest
to the republican party. Much
time was consumed in DEBATING the
policy of continuing the fight for the
election of GOrham and Rlddleber-
ger. Some senators opposed the
policy of renewing the fight, and
several who are firm friends of the
President, declared they would not
again join in the fight for Gorham
and Rlddleberger; that new and
more acceptable nominations would
nave to be made to induce them
10 resume their former stand
Conkling made a speech of over
an hour, stating his objections TO
Robertson, admitting 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
called the Presidents usurpation
and invasion of the senators rights
and privileges, and said if the SEN
ate did not maintain It's rights they |
would be taken from that body.
rdmunds and Dawes, 1t is I'M
derstood, spoke: If the President
attempted usurping any of the func-
lions of the Senate, they would re-
Sist. Their speeches were rather
Ion-committal, though some con-
Strue them as.favorable to COnkllng.
The caucus adjourned, finally, with
tut reaching any conclusion, 10 meet
again tomorrow. One senator, who
IS a close observer, believes the re-
suit will be determination to act
upon RobertSon'S nomination, and
all others the President may send.
There is also a belief prevalent that
he Senate will adjourn as soon as
al business the President may have
for its consideration shall have been
IVnDArnA ~ Sanction (Nnn IInn'CI
voluntary absence from the caucus
IL first is attributed to pressure :
oeing brought to bear upon him
rom New York StalwartS to save
The party from probable disruption,
~ permitting the Senate TO dispose
Of Robertson without fight. Some
If his best friends foresee defeat for
lim if he persists in the fight. Sol
many senators, of both parties,
openly declare for Robertson, thai
here is no room TO doubt lis cOntir-
nation, and warm friends OF COnk-
ling would have him remain silen,
and let the confirmation come, I'M
less Conkling should be attacked by
.he Administration or its friends.
In that event they advise COnkling
o fight, as the cause of dissention
and its consequences would then be
removed from his shoulders. Conk-
ing's caucus speech did not indicate
hat he would adopt this policy, but
t may be he concluded to
make last appeal. 1t is
certain republicans Seem to feel
more hope of avoiding an ugly
contest over this question; that
several days ago, senator Voorhees,
yoted the sentiment of the demo-
rats. In an interview in the
Star to-day, he comes out
boldly for the confirmation of RO-
,ertSon on the ground that demo-
With republican quarrelS; that their
Iuty is 10 confirm nominations, II
is capable and honest,
nd that nobody denies these =
Qualities to Robertson. Still. Conk- :
ing has some prominent democratic n
riends inside and outside the Senate, (
Who work for his cause. Ex-SenatOrS
eaton and Mcdonald, and Judge
PARKER, have in letters and in person,
Irged the democrats to vote against
robertson, but this had little effect.
'o-day's estimate, made by cool
.eads of senators on both sides {
vas; Conkling, ten republicans and d
light democrats. These men will !
back him. Stanley .
latthewS' nomination is not likely
0 be taken up tomorrow on ac- G
cunt of the republican caucus. His 4
ase will probably be debated sew \
raj hours. Matthews friends
cunt confidently upon his confr- =
lation, claiming twenty-five demo- ,
ratio and fifteen republican votes.
everal senators who oppose Mat
news, express the opinion that he
ill be confirmed, but say it will be E
close shave, and the indications z
re it will get through by a narrow
laiOrity.