The Spirit Of Democracy

The Tenure-of-Office
THE SENATE BOTHERED,
A Square Fight with Grant, or an
Unconditional Surrender, the
Question.
RADICAL CAUCUS AND A RAD.
ICAL ROW.
Washington Telegraphic Correspondence of the Cincinnati Enquirer.

The Radical Senate of the United States found itself in such close quarters at the end of the debate, on Saturday last, on the House bill for the repeal of the Civil-tenure law that, in order to save itself from the alternative of surrender unconditionally to U. S. Grant. or of placing itself in open antagonism to him it was decided by the leaders yesterday to submit the entanglement to the disgraceful dictation of a party caucus. A messenger, therefore, flew about the streets last night, notifying Radical Senators to be on hand at the Senate chamber at ten o'clock this morning to decide what position the party should assume to save themselves and yet not strike down the President. At that hour nearly every Radical Senator was on hand The doors were closed and no one was allowed to be present unless he was a Senator. Mr. Anthony presided, and those Senators opposed to the repeal being satisfied that, with the Democrats absent they were able to carry the day at once precipitated a resolution, offered by Mr. Edmunds, of Vermont, to this affect:

Resolved, That it is inexpedient to repeal the Civil Tenure-of-office Law.

This was sustained by Edmunds and others who have opposed the repeal in the Senate, and much of the discussion of last week was repeated in the caucus. Thayer, and others, favored the suspension for four years.

The debate at times grew furious The absence of spectators and reporters enabled Senators to talk pretty plain.

SECEDERS.

Just before twelve, when the Senate was to meet, it was decided to take a vote on Edmunds' resolution, whereupon Senators Morton, Grimes, Sprague Sherman, and one or two other repealers, got up and left the caucus. There was no time to lose, and, rather than foment further trouble, Stewart, of Nevada, moved that the caucus adjourn until two P. M. This was carried and, after a two hours' session of the Senate, that body adjourned, and the Radical portion of it re-assembled in caucus.

Conkling took the floor in a violent speech against the repeal of the law, and in the course of the discussion directed his remarks severely against Morton, who, he intimated was controlled in his championship of a domineering President by anticipations of patronage and power.

Morton retaliated. full of wrath and denunciation of Conkling, and said that the law was infamous. He (Morton) was opposed to it, and through he believed Johnson acted wrong, he violated nevertheless, a bad law.

A COMPROMISE.

The points for and against the law were but a repetition of previous arguments, until four o'clock this afternoon, when Mr. Warner, of Alabama, proposed as a substitute for all that had been said and done, to repeal the first two sections of the law. This was carried by a small majority, and according to the rule of the caucus, is bound to be carried out in open session of the Senate, the disaffection of Messrs. Morton, Grimes and Sprague et al to the contrary notwithstanding. Accordingly to-morrow the Judiciary Committee will report an amendment to repeal the two sections referred to. This repeal will leave the law somewhat according to the old practice of the President and Senate. He can make removals during a recess of the Senate, but must send the names to the Senate. Otherwise the appointments will fall at the expiration of the re-assembled session. The Senate will probably repeal the first and second sections to-morrow.