Year: 1869

Senator Conkling, in q sarcastically appealing
tone, asked why the Senator from indiana did
ot in a spirit of Christian charity, come into
the caucus and instruct his fellows what to do.


Senator Corbett here jumped up and protested
against being included among 1.-THE felloWso
that wanted instruction from the Senator of
Indiana. Great laughter in the caucus at the
simple verdancy OF Corbett.) Mr.. Corbett con-
tinued, and contended that he was no "fellow.n
MIR. Nye said he might be fellow" of college,
which was big honor. Mr.. Corbett replied
that he could see no honor In II, and utterly
refused to be included in Conklng's generaliZa-
tion. Good humor beng restored through the
innocent agency of Corbett, the debate went
along as before, Mr.. Sherman taking another
hand In and using much the same arguments
employed in his speech in open session. 49,


Senator Scott was in iavor of repeal with
amendments, as follows:-EIrst, that the Presi-
dent might send in any name during vacation,
and that he should hold on until his successor
was confirmed; second, that the President
should send in all nominations made during the
recess within thirty days after the meeting OF
Congress; third, that the President shall not
send in the name of any man twice. Senator
Scott made a brief argument on these heads.


Senator Trumbull counselled Cancellation,
moderation, and harmony, and requested that
the subject be referred back to the Committee
on the judiciary. where he was satisfied an ar
rangement would be made agreeable to all
parties Mr.. Trumbull spoke at considerable
length on this point, and finally his suggestion
prevailed the unanimous conclusion being 10
Tecommit the subject to the judiciary Com
mittee, with the understanding that the first
and second sections of the Civil Tenure act be
stricken out and a bill reported embracing the
least Objectionable features in the third section.
what President Grant Has 10 Say About


the Bill.


From the Boston Advertiser.


WAsHN GToN, March q. - President Grant
speaks freely enough about the Tenure.
ofOfice act to persons who ask his views Some
gentlemen who we're with him three or four
days ago furnish the following, which Is be-
lieved to be substantially correct report OF the
interview. He said:-'I shall try to execute
all the laws made by Congress, and mean TO
be just as faithful in executing those | do
not like as those do like. | should like
10 have the TenuTeof0ffice law repealed,
for it islands in the way Of several reforms we
want to make; but il Congress does not repeal
II, l shall execute 1t the same as II had signed
it," One of the gentlemen asked him it the
law was considered binding when the Senate
was in session, TO which the President is re.
ported as answering -"Certainly; there is
nothing in it which says it shall be in effect
part OF the year and not in effect the other
part. 1t does not say that office holders may be
removed at the pleasure of the Executive
during the time Congress Is in session. while
strong cause is required for their suspension
during the time Congress is not in session. As
citizen, the law is of no more consequence 10
me than to any other person; but as President
IL will prevent me from removing many
persons | think ought to be removed" The
President then mentioned by name the head of
one of the bureaus IN Washington, and con-
tinlied:-'I do not think he is ft man for the
place, and yet probably could not make out a
| case ag ainst him. II knew as much about his
doings as he himself does l think could, but as
it is. if should say to the Senate, Il believe he
ought to be removed,' he and his friends-and
he has good many-would begin directly to
show why he ought not to be removed and do
not know but the Senate would decide in his
favor. / haven't anything in the world against
him personally. but l am streng in the
conviction that l could put good deal
lpttpr man in his MACE. and III Pm be held
responsible for the conduct of that bureau |
want man there whom i know can trust"
There was some further talk about this particu-
lar bureau. and then one of the gentlemen
present remarked that he hoped a certain person
at the head Of bureau in another department
would be removed. The President smiled aud
said:-"Well, now, only yesterday had some
gentlemen here who begged me to keep him ip.
was good citizen; but | am convinced, and
the head OF that department. is convinced, that
the public interest would be benefited by
putting man there who Is not mixed up with
Some people say that he is honest, and
some say he is not. | am inclined to think
he is but If l undertake to put him out
and put somebody else in, he'll rally
against me all kinds of opposition. He
and his friends would work among the Senators,
and might convince some of them that Pm a
very bad man because / don't think he's very
good man for the place he's got." This remark
caused some laughter, during which the gentle
men rose to leave, one OF them asking, as he
did so, if any nominations would be sent in
that day. Nothing of consequence said the
President; "Im going to wait a few DAYS and
see what Congress does. Ii they repeal that
law I'm ready to lake a good many nomina.
tions. If they don't repeal it, we must go very
carefully. ! shall want to make some changes,
but If I'm liable to be called in every case for
charges and specifications and evidence, | shall
have to look over the field thoroughly before l
heoin-