Year: 1879

WASHINGTON, June 13.-Two fully attended
sessions of tho caucus of Republican Senators
were held to-day, the first in the morning, the
other after adjournment of the Senate. Both
were devoted to an interchange of views con-
cerning the proper course of action to be taken
in regard to the pending appropriation bills,
and at the latter an important agreement was
reached. Speeches of considerable length and
much earnestness were made by Senators Conk-
ling, Hoar and Blaine, and the views of almost
all other members were indicated by brief re-
marks of an informal character. Finally, it
was agreed with substantial unanimity that
the passage of the army appropriation bill in
publican party in the Senate, unless the major
ity consent to the addition of a pro-
viso to the sixth section declaring that
it shall not be construed to prevent
the use of troops to execute any existing law.
This determination was arrived at in conse-
quence of the doubts very generally express d
IN caucus whether the enactment of the Sec
troops for the enforcement of any law on
election days in times Of peace. it being held
by many Of the lawyerspresent that any use,
of the army, except against armed enemies
would necessarily be for police purposes. It
was also based on the broad principle to





dutysof Congress to make appropriations in &C.
cordance with existing laws. The point was
also raised against the sixth section of this
bill that it infringed upon the Presidents
constitutional power as commander-in-chief
of the army.


The judicial expenses bill was discussed
very briefly, but as it also contains clauses
in the nature of conditions precedent to the
use Of the money which it appropriates, the
caucus agreed with absolute unanimity that
its passage should be opposed, unless these
condition, are eliminated.


THE SILVER BILL.


The Democratic members Of the Senate az
sembled in caucus this morning, in response to
call issued at the instance of the friends of
the Warner silver bill, and designed to effect
some arrangement, if possible for action upon
that measure. A new matter for consideration,
however, was presented by tender, on the
part of Senator Bayard, of his resignation as
chairman of the finance committee, offered by
him on account Of remarks made in caucus
and elsewhere, by. some of his colleagues, to
the effect that the committee should be re-
organized to accord with the views of the ma
jority of the party on the silver question. A
long discussion ensued, similar in most of its
features, to that which took place in last Mon
opposition on the part of a number of silver
men themselves to the acceptance Of Bayard's
resignation, and an expression of opinion
of several II of them that the bill
needs amendments in various particulars, |
to make the ninth section conform
to the fourth, which gives seigniorage to the
government. At the close of the discussion it
was decided to refer the whole subject, includ-
ing Bayard's proffered resignation, to COM
mittee. consisting of Thurman, Mcdonald and
Garland, for consideration and report to a fu-
ture meeting of the caucus. No other action
was taken, but there seems to be general ex-
pectation among the Democratic Senators that
as consequence of the interchange of views in
to-day's caucus Bayard will withdraw his resig-
nation and that the majority of the finance |
committee will allow the silver bill |
to be reported back to the Sen
ate without Recommendation and placed
upon the calendar with an understanding that |
no action shall be taken on the measure until |
next session. 1t is believed Bayard will con- |
sent to this course of procedure in the nature
Of compromise. although he would insist
upon. resigning his craftsmanship if Coke's |
resolution to discharge the committee were
made caucus decree, and will, under no cir
'umstances, consent to reporting the bill with
,ut distinct understanding that action upon it
shall be POSTPONED until next session.