Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-01-16
Senatorial RIehfN.
ny telegraph to the Dispatch

WASHINGTON, January 1j.-The
Republican senator's met in caucus at
half-past 10 this morning and adjourned
at 100. Their purpose was to com
pare views with regard to the right Of
the Senate to information as to the Pre-
sident's reasons for making removals
from office. The fact was stated that
many Of the inquiries addressed to the
heads Of departments by chalrmen o.
committees remain unans Tered; but, in
asmuch as no action Of the Administra-
ton up to this time indicates purpose
TO refuse to give this information, no
formal proposition was made and no ac-
ton was taken. While a wide variety
Of opinions found expression with re-
gard 10 the propriety Of raising a for
nal issue with the Administration at
present upon this question. the MAORI
ty were Of the opinion that should the
information sought not ultimate
~ be forthcoming the Republic
cans will, in justice to the men
who have been suspended or
removed for supposed cause, he
required to take some formal action
in the Senate to secure such informa-
tion or an ayowal by the President that
ne will not give his reasons for making
such removals. The resolution offered
in the House by Representative Bou-
telle, of Maine. inquiring into alleged
misconduct on thep part Of the command
ant at the Norfolk navy-yard, came up
for consideration this morning before
the Committee on Naval Affairs. and
led to a heated political discussion.
Mr.. Wise, Of Virginia, made speech
denouncing the resolution aud impugn-
ing the motives of its mover. He in
situated that the resolution was intro
duced from a desire to make party cap
ital, and expressed the opinion that it
should be amended so as to allow a
general investigation into the conduct
Of all the navy-yards. lie urged that
mere newspaper report was the sole
foundation for the proposed inquiry,
and that it was not becoming the Dig
nifty of Congress to heed such stories.
Mr.. Boutelle vigorously defended his
resolution. He said he had been as
sured by a brother-member that the
publication was substantially correct.
Mr.. Thomas pointed out that the
resolution was not for investigation. 1t
was simply for inquiry, and if the
story was without foundation the
Navy Department could easily prick
the bubble.
Mr.. McAdOO also cOntended that the
investigation should be general. Re
publicans had been discharged from
other nayy-yards on the eastern coast,
and why not at Norfolk
Mr.. Hewitt inquired if 1t would be
contended that the victors were not en-
titled to the spoils.
Mr.. Thomas acquiesced in that as
sumption, but said that in the case I'm
der consideration it was question not
of politics, nor whether Republican
had been displaced by Democrat, but
whether the statute giving the preie-
renee TO Union soldiers u had been
violated. lie wanted to know whether
Union soldiers had been discharged to
make place for rebel soldiers, and
whether the memorial stones commemo-
rating the Union victories had been OBJ
liberated.
Mr.. Hewitt inquired if the gentleman
would have tolerated a Confederate
monument commemorating the victory
OF Bull Run.
Mr.. Thomas replied that he would
have it pulled down. Fortunately the
rebels failed in their object. He was
not yet ashamed of having fought for
the Union.
Other members OF the committee ex-
pressed themselves in strong language,
and the session ended without action on
the resolution, which will come up for
consideration at the next meeting.
There was a unanimous concurrence
in the opinion that the removed officials
have the right to know whether they
were removed for political reasons or
the maladministration Of their trusts,
and that it is the Senate's duty to Sc
cure this information If possible.