New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-10-10
POLITICAL GOSSIP AT THE CAPITAL.

BY TELEGRAPH TO TIE TRIBUSEI
WASHINGTON, Oct 9.--The situation in regard 10
the organization of the Senate has not changed to-
day. The Democrats have not formally determined
upon any line of action, beyond the election of Mr.
Bayard as President pro tempore but there is reason
TO believe that they will permit the three Senator's
elect to take their oaths and their seats immedi-
ately afterward. There will be a discussion pend
ing the election of President pro tempore, which
may last two or three days, or may last fortnight
or even longer. Senator Edmunds has been selected
as the Republican leader and spokesman.
The Democrats overbauling the speeches made
by Republicans upon the rights of maorties during
the special session of the Senate last spring, and, IL
occasion offers, will quote some very eloquent para
graphs from them in support of the present position
of the Democrats. Some of the Democrats are will
ing to cohe the Chief Clerk of the Senate with tho
powers and functions of Secretary until December,
and thus postpone part of the general contro-
versy until that time. there Is a reason for this
which may not be apparent at first glance. They
desire to take both the Presidency of the Senate and
the Secr-taryship, but fear the effect Of any
attempt to grasp everything at once. By
taking the Presidency now and the Secretaryship
two months hence they will make their covetous-
ness less conspicuous.
Mr. Gorham's candidacy for the Secretaryship is
an embarrassment to the Republicans. Some of the
Senators who are nearest to tho President still
advocating his election but he has atterly been so
conspicuous a defender of General Brady and the
other alleged Star Route consprators and as an as
sailant of their prosecutors IN General Garhelfs
Cabinet that there is considerable oppo-
siton, and it is quite certain he can
not be elected. That he should be pressed
by the intimate friends Of the President is inter-
preted in some quarters a rebuke to he men who
have been pushing on the Star Route investigations
Friends of the Attorney General say that of the
reasons why that gentleman insisted upon the ac-
ceptance of his resignation at once was the knowl-
edge that Mr. Gorhams influence with General Ar
thur would probably neutralize to some extent the
efforts made to push on the Star Route trials to
viction.
Whether OF not the Senate committees will be re-
organized during the special session is not yet de-
cded. Whenever they are taken up the Democrats
will ask to be given proportion Of the chairman
ships
There is growing prospect that the Senate will
be called upon to act upon certain Cabinet nomina-
tions before final adjournment, and probably during
the present week. Secretary Windoms determine
ton to withdraw and become a candidate Tor re-
election to the Senate has become more certainly
known to-day IL is understood that shortly after
President Garfield was shot, and when ii was
thought he would die at once, General Edgerton
made it known through mutual friends to Secretary
Window that if the latter desired reappointment to
the Senate he would cheerfuly resign, and that he
renewed the proposition after the Presidents DEATH
putting it upon the ground that Mr.. WINDOWS long
experience in the Senate had rendered him better
qualified TO serve the State than he was himself.
While therefore, it is certain that Mr.. Window will
he candidate for the Senate il is positively known
that ne will leave the Cabinet before December. and
- Inn,ra. 10 do noa or n
The discussion of the competency of General
Arthur to open the Senate tomorrow has been
revived here to-day and has taken such shape that
the Democrats have determined 10 move an lmine-
diate adjournment if General Arthur makes his ap-
paarance The Democrats have been asserting
that General Arthur does not become President py
reason OF General GaTfiefs death but only acting
President. If not President, say the Republicans,
then he is still Vice-PresIdent. This probably
amounts TO nothing more than idle gossip.
There are dozen Cabinet states made out among
the gossips Tonight con aiming the name Of nearly
every unoccupied Republican statesman IN the
country Probably nobody, except General Arthur
himself or possibly Mr.. Conklng knows who are TO
he the new Cabinet Ministers. he President man
ages 10 keep his counsel. HIS plan of getting
ad vice from gentlemen who call upon nm, ana AZ
the same time give information, works very Well
He usually asks about half dozen prominent men
at a sitting. and in that way leaves no impression
upon the mind his collocuor as to the one ne in'
tends To honor with the selection.
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