Year: 1877




WASHINGTON, March lowing to
the closeness OF the Republican vote in
the Senate the two New Hampshire
Senators abandoned the purpose of going
home to participate in the political Cal vass
now going on there. ...s


When the Senate went into executive
session to consider the cabinet appoint
ments there was quite lively scene in
the Chamber. Under the rule of the
Senate single objection to the present
consideration of any nomination refers
it to the app o.?riate committee and when
the very first one, that of Evarts, to
be Secretary of State, was announced,
Mr.. Blaine moved its reference to the
Committee on Foreign Relations.


There Was an earnest discussion IN
which some of the Republicans exhibited
much indignation at some Of the nomi-
nations, and finally it seemed to be
generally acqulesced in that sll must be
referred, that none of them should be
confirmed to-day.


Mr.. ConklIng demanded a reference OF
the nomination of Schurz to the Finance
Committee, and quite number OF Sena-
tors demanded reference oil Mr.. Key nom
nation. In TACT there was more or less
objection TO every one OF them, and there
is every probability of an excited debate
over them when they come before the
Senate again. There were perhaps ten
or dozen Senators who made objections
to one or another ofthe nominations, aod
q number OF them spoke at the same IN
stant. t


The executive session continued about
twenty. minutes when the doors re.
opened and the Senate adjourned.


After adjournment the Democratic
Senators met in caucus, and fully dis
cussed the policy to be pursued by them
on the Cabinet nominations, as to voting
for their confirmation or for their re-
lection. From the general tenor of the
debate, it is believed the Southern DEM
ocrstic Senators will use their power in
the executive sessions of the Senate
to induce the administration to
refuse any recognition of Packard in
Louisiana, or Chamberlain in South Car
olina. 1t is said by them thst if they
can be assured that the adminstrs-
ton will stand firmly on
policy of non-intervention in the
affairs of those States they will support
1t by voting to confirm those nomina-
tions and otherwise, they claim that
to accomplish this through divisions in
the Republican ranks will be TO win the
victory for which they have so long con-
tended. No formal action was taken by
the caucus, as the committees of the
Senete will probably be appointed before
Friday, and rs single objection will
prevent the consideration of any nomins.
tion on the same day it is reported
from committee, there is not much
probability that the Cabinet nominations
can finally be disposed of this week, or,
at least, sooner than Saturday. 1t Is be-
lieved that the nominations will be con.
irmed, unless the Democrats act in
body against them. 1t has always been
the custom to act on the nominations of
persons who have been members of the
Senate without the previous formality of
reference. This IS done as a compl-
ment to Senator, as from his service
in the Senate, his character and fitness
are supposed TO be known without any
Investigation thereto by committee, but
in the case of Mr.. Sherman to-day the
custom was violated, it is said at the sug.
gestion of Mr.. Cameron, of Pennsylva-
MIA, who demanded that his nomination
be referred to the Committee on Finance.
Although the personnel of the Cabinet
had been known for several days, the
Official promnlgstion took most of the
people by surprise for the reason that
previous newspaper statements had
made erroneous assignments of Messrs.
McCrary, Thompson and Devsns.


The subject is freely discussed tonight,
and while dissatisfaction is expressed by
many there are not few who rejoice
that there is likely to be President who
will act In many respects Independently
of party, especially as regards the South
and civil service.


The President in response to questions
to day, stated that according to the pre-
sent intention he will not convene an
extra session of Congress for al earlier
date than about the first of June.


A telegram was received here to night
from r. w. Thompson, of Indiana, ac-
scepting the appointment of Secretary OF
the Navy.