New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-20

an attempt to reopen the question settled SATURDAY
that they determined not to attend the meeting THIS
SUSPICIOUS DELAYS.
prpupIIcANs sruL AFRAID THAT THE DEMOCRATS


REPUBLICANS STILL AFRAID THAT THE DEMOCRATS
MEAN MISCHIEF.
nv TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNzI
WASHINGTON. Feb. 19.-Many of the Republicans
are nervous and suspicious They do not entirely
trust to the professions of the moderate men VINO
now control the Democratic party They are satis-
fed that these gentlemen will not give their assent
IN omen measures to defeat the contamination Oh te
count. but they are. afraid that these men are WILL
ing to accomplish by indirectiOn what they shrhh
openly from being held responsible for. III through
one delay after another not too evidently prousi'
about for such purpose the time could be eaten up
40 that the 4th of March would arrive before all INC
States could be put down upon the tally sheet' IL Is
believed that even the most conservative democrats
would not be unhappy, and 1t is feared that they
will continue to favor such delays upon one preteA
or another just as they have uniformly done Since
the count began.
An additional cause fcs the distrust of these Re-
publicans is afforded by the adjournment OF the
House to-day Last Saturday, when the PLAIN IN
tent of the Electoral law if not its letter was NO
lated by q recess until Monday after the Commas
sons, report had been sent in, it was stated on Gil
sides nv the Democrats that the count would be
proceeded with to-day Yet after the reading OF the
protest made absurdly long it would seem, so that
its reading would kill good deal of time, another
recess was at once voted.
There was again a good reason assigned. Inc
Democratic leaders say they want 10 harlhohHo
their party in favor of carrying out the law ny
bringing the refractory element into line. Never
theless the Republicans cannot dismiss all appre-
bension They cannot forget that 1t Is now 10 DAYS
since the count began, and that hnal action mas hot
vet been had on the second OF the disputed States
Thirteen DAYS only remain until noon on Sunday
| he. mt n
ever. by Saturday the Sd. Leaving out next sun
dav there remain therefore only days for all the
remaining proceedings. Two disputed States, Ore
gon and south Carolina are still to be considered
nv the Commission Ii only formal contest Is
made before the Commission on these States, three
or four DAYS can be consumed upon each OF
them. Then, if the House Democrats take
recess of day on receiving inc report
of the Commission on each case, and another RECESS
of day after hearing 1t read, the time VIII easily
| Ina Consumed so that the Sd of March will come
| before there is any declaration of the result. On
that day. by a single roll-call on some dilatory
motion or by snap decision of the partisan Speaker,
the inauguration of Gov. Hayes could be made I'M
possible.
! II ia no wonder that Republicans anxious
when they look at the situation III tins way. In 'he
length of time already consumed there is a strong
argument in favor Of the Republican theory that IL
f il were constitutional to 90 behind the returns to
take evidence as to the truth of charges of iegalty
and fraud il would have been utterly impracticabe
ANY one can see that when it takes 10 days to de-
eide the controversy as two States without taking
Testimony. it would be impossible to settle even a
single State before the 4h of March, if both sides
were allowed to put in evidence. Thus the workings
of the Electoral law bear witness to the correctness
of the construction tho Republicans put upon IT.,
As Senator Sherman said in the debate to-day. either
the bill was conspiracy to defeat the election OF
President, or it could not have contemplated the
hearing of evidence.