New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-02-09
WHAT CONGRESSMAN SAY.
DANGER OF HAsTY INTERPRETATION OF THE FLOR
IDA Observation-Disclosures AMONG DEMoCRATs-
A SPLIT IN THE PARTY FOREsHADOwED.
Inx 70

IDA Observation-Disclosures AMONG DEMOCRATS
A SPLIT IN THE PARTY FoREsHADowED.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.
WASHINGTON, Feb S.-The first important vote
taken by the Electoral Commission has been the one
absorbing topic of conversation at the Capitol aud
in all other public places to-day. 1t overshadowed
in interest the proceedings in either house of Con-
gress and the final arguments upon the Florida
case in the Supreme Court room itself. 1t has also
taken the life entirely out of the Louisiana investi-
cations. Proctor Knott's committee made several
feeble attempts to-day TO revive its inquiry. but
they were all in vain David Dudley Field sat
among the counsel before the Electoral Commission,
and his Democratic associates showed no disposition
to push the examination he has been conducting
with much vigor. One or two unimportant wit
nesses were placed upon the stand, but their
testimony was far from interesting. The commit
tee finally adjourned, leaving the impression upon
the spectators that its work. like that of score OF
other inquisitions set up by the house during this
and last session, is about completed The decision OF
the Commission was not as conclusive IN many
respects popularity expected. Many. without very
good reason believed that its vote the question of
admitting testimony would be Of such nature as to
foreshadow the result of the entire controversy If
the Commission had decided to admit further EVIL
dence the Democrats would have interpreted
il as a determination that testimony would be
taken in the Louisiana case and that they would be
gwen an opportunity to introduce some of the evil
dence which they have been so ndustriousiy plllng
up since the meeting of Congress. On the other
hand declaration that no evidence would be taken
would it was supposed, settle all important ques-
tons except that in regard to the vote of Oregon
II is now found that while the representatives of
both parties consider the vote of yesterday as very
important, one believes 1t to be as conclusive IN
It's results as was anticipated The Republicans
generally look upon the refusal of the Commission
TO receive testimony victory for their side, ana
are therefore hopeful of final success than they
have been at any time since the compromise Dill was
reported. At the same time there are many degrees
of confidence among the Republicans. Some men
who from their disposition are easily eated or dis
heartened, consider the battle already won. They
look upon the division of the Commission
including the judicial members of 1t, into
two well-defned parties as an indication
that the Republican majority OF one IN
the Tribunal will stand together on all vital ques-
tons that may be presented; and that while III re-
gard TO less important matters there may be other
divisions the eight commissioners who voted yeser-
day to exclude testimony will vote finally Tor the
admission of the Hayes returns from each OF the dis
puted States In other words, they expect their
party friends upon the Commission TO stand by the
party and sustain its cause 10 the end Other he
publicans are less confident. They look upon the
decision of yesterday as a good sign De-
cause it excludes from the consideration of
the Commission much evidence which it would be
difficult for them to meet and insures much more
speedy decision OF the Presidential controversy than
would otherwise be possible; but they are by no
means certain that Justice Bradley or some other
Republican member of the Commission may not,
before the result of the Presidential election Is
declared. cast vote which will be fatal to the
success Of Gov. Hayes They anticipate with some
apprehension the action of the Commission on the
Louisiana case and also on that of Oregon They
hope for the best however and think their prospects
much improved by the course thus far pursued by
the Tribunal.
The division in the Republican party growing
out Of the differences OF opinion III regard 10
the Compromise bill, which a short time ago
temporarily threatened to be Serious had already
abated in great measure before the decision of yes
terdav, and the first victory in the Commission has
done much to cause differences TO be forgotten
Those who were most bitter in denunciatiOn OF their
party friends who supported the measure will be
more ready to forgive them if the outcome OF the
compromise is satisfactory to them.
The discussions among the Democrats have been
far more excited and interesting to-day than IN the
Republican ranks. The opposition may be divided
into two great classes the majority who supported
the compromise measure and the minority who
voted against it, The latter has asserted itself to-
day with more vehemence than at any time since
tine Electoral bill was reported The Gd hOmiRe'n ar
gument, Il told you so; II was selling out OF the
partyr has been heard on every side among the
few Democrats who voted against the bill, and
the bitterness which they have always felt
against the leaders who carried it through
haav II mt nslti cd he
future decisions OF the Commission would continue
IN be adverse to the Democracy there viii be in
surrection within that party, led by such men as Mr.
blackburn Mr. Mills, and others VINO opposed the
bill and who will have some basis at least for al ac-
cusatiOn against the more conservative leaders OF
having betrayed the partys interests Those Demo-
Gratis who supported the Compromise Dill may De
subdivided into two classes-those who assisted III
framing it or were original advocates OF lts passage
and those who supported 1t because II was
q marty measure The former seem 10 feel a neces-
atty for defending their work in spite of the adverse
position of the Commission. The majority of them
will not publicly admit that the exclusion OF testl-
mony In the FLORIDA case Is unfav0raDle 10 GoV
1ilden's final success Their argument may be
summarized in a few words: If additional evidence
were admitted the Republicans would be allowed to
rebuff that contained in certificate number three
unlimited to the two houses by the President of the
Senate. and which as they think covers the whole
case. As il now stands the Democratic evidence Is
IN the case and will have to be considered by the
Commission in reaching its conclusions, while the
Republicans are allowed TO make no reply to It,
Little confidence has been felt among the Demo
Gratis that HUMPHREYS would be shown to have been
ineligible or that Hayes would lose one vote on that
account provided the returns certified by Gov.
stearns are declared TO contain the legal votes OF