Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1885-02-26
THE DIVERSE SENATOR'S.

debtor.
THE DIVERSE SENATORS.
Senator Hampton refuses to agree to the
caucus plan of nominating Federal officers
in South Carolina-that is, plan by which
the whole delegation in Congress should
select by ballot the names to be recon-
mended for Presidential appointment. On
being asked the other day by correspond
ent for his views concerning the proposed
mode of recommending candidates for ap-
pointment, the following conversation took
place:
Are you in favor of the plan by which
the whole South Carolina delegation should
nominate by ballot the Federal officers who
are to be appointed by the President? =
"I am not, nor have l ever been, and L
have eiven fully to most of our members
nv reasons for dissenting from such plan."
May ask what those reasons are?
"Several of these appointments are made
with the advice and consent Of the Senate
and / do not feel authorized to shift any re-
sponsibility pertaining to me as Senator
or to share that responsibility with any one
else. I have announced that in any recon-
mendation I may make, if my advice is
asked, will recommend the applicant who
has the strongest endorsements, who is, IN
my Judgment, most competent and VINO IS
most acceptable to our people. 10 leave all
nominations to ballot our whole deiega-
ton might place me in the awkward po-
sition of voting in executive session for
one who did not come up to these require
ments in my opinion, or voting against him
in secret session after had gone into con-
sultation with my colleagues of both Houses.
"Then, too, the practical working of the
proposed plan is open to grave objections.
AS Gen. Bratton's term expires on the 4th
of March and Mr.. Perry will not be here,
there are really but five members of the
House who could take part in this ballot.
Suppose that three of them should vote for
A, two for B, and that my colleague in
the Senate and myself should vote Tor
c.. The majority would dictate the noml-
nation and General Butler and myself
would have to sustain it in the Senate
against our judgment, or we would have to
oppose it in secret session.
'"For these reasons cannot approve the
plan suggested, but shall be very glad to
have an expression of opinion from our
State. This would have great weight with
me and I should probably concur in their
conclusions. But must be left free to eX-
ercise my own judgment on all appoint
ments which come before the Senate.
sIn this connection I will say that | think
the opinions of the members Of the House
should have very controlling influence in
the appointment Of officers in their respect
i've districts, such as postmaster, &c. have
hitherto acted almost invariably in full ac-
cord with our members Of the House and
have every hope that | shall 40 so IN 1u-
ture."
Senator Butler entertains views upon this
subject directly the opposite of those eX-
pressed above by Senator Hampton. 10 a
correspondent of the NeioS and Courier he
claimed to have been the originator of the
caucus plan, which he still advocates. The
following is the substance of an interview
with him:
"When came to Washington, at the be-
ginning of this session, found what might
have been reasonably anticipated, that we
should be beset by applications for Offices
1 suggested to my colleagues, in the Senate
and House, that we act jointly on the appli-
cations for Offices, adopting any plan of Sc
lection thought most advisable, and be pre-
pared to present to the Executive suitable
name for each, provided, of course, the En-
ecutive should ask any suggestions from US.
It occurred to me, this would be fair to the
State, to the public service, the applicants,
to the Executive, and to the delegation"
"Was this caucus plan acquiesced in:"
II certainly so understood it. No plan
had been formulated, or time appointed for
meeting, but in the informal talks l had
with my colleagues, 1 understood them to
acquiesce in general way"
"Have you any objections to giving your
reasons for making the proposition"
II have given you my reasons. Because
thought it fair all around. felt sure that
if we could act together, we would have
more weight and secure a better class OF Of
ficials. It would give our colleagues in the
House q voice in the selection of these
Offices, recognition which their positions
entitle them to. They are as much inter-
ested in an efficient public service as the
Senators, and equally capable of forming a
correct judgment"
"But does not the responsibility rest with
the Senators of advising and conSentlng TO
executive nominations"
eyes, but this is negative power after
the nominations have been made. do not
abnegate my Constitutional power by act
ing affirmatively with my colleagues, by
practically advising and consenting in ad-
vance. think I can shoulder responsibili-
ty as calmly as most men, and when nave
discharged it according tony sense OF duty,
submit to criticism as inditferently."
"It has been hinted that the members OF
the House, being in a majority, might log
roll with each other and select men objec-
tionable to the Senators, and thus defeat
their veto power in the Senate?'
81 certainly do not know where such
hint could come from. 1t is certainly very
dishonoring to the members of the House
one that Shall not sanction and which |
believe to be grossly unjust. 1t is a pre-
sumption so violent that shall not allow
it to influence my action. do not believe
that such suggestion ever crossed the mind