Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1881-05-10
THE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS.


DID NCTHIN-HE IS MILD. INNOCENT, TTMID,
GOOD LITTLE BOY, WHO HAS BKRN BULLIED.
BAABoozLED AND PUT UPON BY THAT GREAT
BIG, CoNCEIrED. STAGGERING, DoMINKERING
FELLOW GARFIELD.
The republican caucus was In session nearly
six hours yesterday. The Conkling side sub
mitted another resolution, having for its OBJ
Ject the singing out OF the Robertson nomina.
ton for non-action. This resolution declared,
in substance, that it was inexpedient to con
slder at this session any contested nomination
to MI an office not actually vacant, or an ONCE
In whlch the term OF the incumbent has not
expired.
This resolution caused
GENERAL DISCUSSION,
those opposing 1t holding that under 1t most OF
the nominations pending and to be made could
ce laid over, as majority of them are not
made to NIL existing vacancies; and 1t would be
some Senator or Senators ootecting to all suca
nominations. Senator Blair made quite q
lengthy a ana vigorous speech, It is understood,
ran into the policy OF continuing the contest
for the election OF Gorham and Riddleberger
Inere Yves opposition to continuation of the
light and some to the nominees themselves
In this connection the question of Adjournment
was touched upon.
On the subject OF adopting a caucus
those who sustain the President insist,
ed that it is the duty to act upon all his
nominations, one way or the other; that it ia
an undlsputed right of the Senate to reject any
without any unnecessary delay.
On the other or Conkling side 1t was main-
ta1ned that the prerogative OF the Senate In re-.
gard to nominations Is broader: that that body
has the right to dispose of nominations as it may
see ut, to delay action as long as 1T chooses and
nobody has the power to hurry 1t; that, for In
stance, the Senate might want to postpone
action In order to make inquiry into the fitness
OF nomination.; that, In fact, 1t has often done
so; that II the Senate could be hurried into
ACTON, that would deprive it Of the power to
give que consideration to all nominations.
MR.. CONKLINGS SPEECH.
Mr.. Conkling began speech about o'clock,
and he held the floor until CPS, when the
caucus adjourned. He stated In detail his OBJ.
jections to Robertson; maintained that Rob-
ertson had antagonIzed him, and the regular
republican organization in New York on sundry
occasions; that the latter carried his hostility
New York into every convention, every party
movement; that at the Chicago convention
robertson declared he would not support
Arthur for Vice President; that because OF this
regular party machine. he and the stalwarts of
New York opposed Robertson. Mr.. Conkling
also gave his version OF his earlier relations
po sals OF friendship and offer to consult him as
TO New York nominations; that he had not
sought to dictate, or control nominations, etc
no luSISltU IuaV CQc PFeSlQonC mad
dealt unfairly tConkling used strong Ian
guage, howeVer). In nominating Rob
ertson. whose sole aim is to break
down "the COnkliDg machine said the sana-
tor. Mr.. Conkling also dwelt upon what he
considered Presidential usurpation, Invasion OF
tie rights OF the Senate and appealed to his
associates to stand by him In resisting any en-
crCachmentS OF the executive unless they
would see the Senate made subServient to the
President
The caucus adjourned when Mr.. Conkling
concluded, until to- day. therefore he was not
answered.
s7ALwART ADVICE TO CoNKLING.
1t Is known that within the last three days
some OF the prominent stalwart republicans OF
New York, warm and true friends OF Conkling,
have advised him to abandon his contemplate
light; to permit RObertsOn'S nomination TO be
reported from the commerce committee with
out recommendation, and let the Senate dis.
pose OF 1t without argument; that Il Robertson
should be confirmed, for Conkling to say moth
ing unless attacked by friend Of the aim,nis-
trat1on; then he could talk, as the onus OF ere.
attDg disturbance Would be- upon the
administration sioe; that should the Senate re-
Jeot Robertson, still Conkling should say..noth-
ing, but In either case, to let the quarrel die
out. Mr.. CoDkliDg did not reject this advice,
nor did he give any sign OF accepting 1T; but ie
came from men who are accounted devoted
friends OF bis, and whose object is ascribed to
be 10 save Conkling from what they believe
Will be crushing defeat II he makes Il yhu
against Robertson.