The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1877-02-17
Dangers Ahead.

Including next Monday, there remain but
eleven legislative days Of the present Con-
grcss All the great appropriation bills
must be compressed within that short space
Of time, or be lost Thus far the Senate
have shown no disposition to forward the
public business but, on the contrary. have
resorted to unusual methods to rctard its
progress.
In pursuance OF the reform policy which
the Democrats inaugurated at the last ses-
sion, and which the Senate partially thwart-
nj by obstinate resistance, the House has re-
duced the salaries provided for in the Lcgis-
iativc, Executive, and judicial bill about ten
per cent. The Senate have already shown
their determination 10 resist this economy,
and 10 oppose tho reductions that are pro-
posed in the Army, Navy, and other bills.
They now contend that the appropriations
Of last year must be assumed as the basis of
those for the future, leaving out Of view the
great fact that the Republican majority of
that body then defeated ten millions OF re-
trenchment in which these salaries and
other items were included. Indeed they
went so far as to draw wide line between
the salaries paid to the officials OF the
Senate and those of the House, upon the
ground that each body had the right to de-
tcrminc the pay of its own officers.
These bills will, Of course, go to conference
committees, TO reconcile the differences be-
tween the two Houses, and then the old
game of compromise will be played over,
unless there be n fixed purpose TO stop spoil
alton OF the Treasury by this method Of
vesting the power of legislation in the
hands of six men. Tho final action of the
Electoral Commission will necessarily have
some effect on the policy Of the two parties.
If Mr.. HAYES shonld he declared President,
q fatal blow would be struck at reform and
retrenchment. He would be in the hands of
men who are directly responsible for the
prodigality and corruption that have
brought the country TO its present dcplora-
Bile condition, and dcmOralizcd public life.
II Mr.. TILDEN's rights should be confirmed,
the public expenditures would be cut down,
and the existing system Of extravaganza
would be swept away.
The Republican leaders in tho Senate will,
doubtless, hold back the important appro-
priaton bills until they can see surely the
end Of the Presidential controversy. II
their side wins, then desperate effort will
be made to capture the House of Represent
htves, by fair mems or by foul Prcsi-
dent with tainted title, Republican Sem
ate growing smaller by degrees, and a Dem
ocratic House, would not be the best mixture
for new Administration to start with.
On the face Of the figures, thus far, the
Democratic majority in the next House is
six, which Is TO be affected in some degree
by the decision Of the present Clerk, TO whom
the law gives almost an absolute power, and
by the election TO take place in New Hamp-
shire on the 18th of March. There will be
two sets Of certificates for Florida, South
Carolina, and Louisiana. In the last two
States the Republicans conccde two mem
bers each TO the Democrats, and the present
majority is estimated on that basis, though
the Democrats rightfully claim three addi-
tional members.
III the DREW certificates are adopted for
Florida, Instead Of those Of STEARNs, then
the Democrats would gain two at the organ
jzation Of the House, which would be a valu-
hblo accession in securing quorum, indie
pendent Of the Republicans who might fac.