New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-01-19
THE COUNT IN CONGRESS.
not wish to be understood saying that will vote
for 1t now"
DEMOCRATIC OPINIONS.

DEMOCkAllC Ot1NlONS.
A GENERAL DISPOSITION TO ACCEPT THE BILL
SPRINGER ENTHUSIASTIC.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRiBUyEJ
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1S.-ilenry Watterson
says that he is opposed the whole theory of no
scheme Of compromise but he Ia of the opinion that II
will have TO be accepted he has done everything in his
power since the 9TH OF November to arouse o proper
puc opinion TO back the Democratic party in demand
ing what IL justly their right but certain leading Demo
Gratis men OF considerable influence with the party, have
been throwing cold water on in it ali the time and
thoy find themselves in q Position where they
without sufficient popular backing lie thinks this plan
will be good ladder which the defeated party can
climb down from the position which it has assumed
A prominent Democrat who participated in this
versaon. and who is not member OF the House, added
that it ia a ladder which the defeated parry can
descend from q capituatiOn He ia very mnch pleased
with the plan Of PROMISE and thinks that its publ
cation will be like the removal OF great nightmare from
the breast of the American people,
Scott Lord said that he had read the bill
before presented to the House. hut Will he unalla
TO much OF opinion in regard 20 It until he las
given it careful study There is nothing. in his
opinion. IN the Constitution authorizing such plan OF
settling Presidential controversy. but he Is not
that the bill violated the Constitution. His opinion be
fore the bill read 10 the House that it would not
pass.
Mr. Springer, OF the members Of the Committee, Il
very enthusiastic in favor of the bill lie says that IN
the meeting OF the Committee, before he agreed
the plan Incorporated in the bill he asked the Republic
cans OF the Senate committee what their opinion OF
the powers snc jurisdiction OF tine commission which is
provided unless that commission had onferret upon II
all the powers which belonged 10 either house or TO both
houses he would not for the bill he favored confer
ring upou The commission more explicit terms the
right 20 go behind the returns from any state,
and to investigate everything connected with
the election the 9TH Of last November
He says he received assurances from sen
ators Efmunds, COukling FIciinchuysen. BayaTd.
and Thurman that all those powers which belonged 10
either house or to houses could he exercised ny hi"
commission hat the commission Is the Judge OF Its own
Jurisdiction MI. Springer says This Is OF the first
questions that Will before the cCmmssiOu namely.
What Is the Jurisdiction OF the two houses or Of either
house. any which Is before ii The decision o.
that question will limit ne jurisdiction Of the commission
For Instance, II the commission decides that Congress
has rieht to 10 behind the returns OF state and TO i'll
veStigate then that right conferred upon tho commits
son; but H. on the other hand it decides tnat Congress
bas no power to 20 behind those returns then the COM
itself viii act on that theory FOLLOWING out NE
line OF reasoning tlr commission VII nave the
power to send for persons and papers II 1t decides
that that power resides IN CONGRESS r eiIher
branch OF II, TO examine witnesses, hear, hreu-
ments and investigate everything connected with
election but II y decides that Congress haS no ,uch
nr, 9pim t H. tS dnn.s winch lie Commission - IL
session ami that TIE proceedings OF the commission VIII
take place III the Supreme Court room; ana ne would pt
m favor OF having them public Tat of having the mem
beers OF the commission retire and hold their cOnsu;a-
tons in secret
Sir Lyude of Wisconsin said: " | am not prepared to
give my opinion yet. want 10 read the bill r:t sup
pose will pass, however, by large vote fODOdy Nos
ANYTHING definite to Offer against IT,.
Mr. L.nders OF Iu0ana il OF opinion that Tilden and
Hendricks elected but he admitted that IL Is Better
10 pass the compromise BIZ than 20 fight.
The understanding in the joint committee was that he
bill should he taken and disposed OF ny the senate be-
fore the House proceed, - Us cUnsidc alton IL present
Indications prove Trustworthy Eo Senator VIII speak
against IL.