New-York tribune., 1878-11-08
THE NEXT HOUSE.

The CONGRESSIONAL situation is peculiar.
The Greenback party, having brought about
the overwhelming defeat Of the Democrats
in the Northern States, may possibly dictate
to it in the organization of the next House.
Thus far, reports have been received and ta-
bles prepared mainly to show the relative
strength of the two leading parties. The
fact has thus been generally overlooked that
considerable number of members, who have
been chosen by union of Democratic and
Greenback votes, may prefer TO act i'll separate
caucus with the other Greenb0ck members
This is the more probable because, from present
appearances, the entire Greenback force, If
kept together, may hold the balance of power
In the House.
The reDorts do not differ as to 2GS districts
in which elections have been held. and III
these 130 Democrats, 130 Republicans, and
S Greenback members have been chosen. The
members here counted as of the Greenback
class are FOrsythe from Illinois, De La Matyr
from Indiana, Weaver and Gillette from Iowa,
Ladd and Murch from Maine, YOcum from Penn
sylyania, and Barlow frOm'VermOnt. Besides
these it is stated that Persons, of Georgia, also
is of that party; that Ford, n Greenbark
Repubican, has been elected in Missouri, and
that Russell, GIcenback candidate. has
beaten Waddell, in North Carolina. More
over. there is still doubt whether London,
Grecnback candidate, has beaten Hatch in
Missouri, and whether one Democrat in
Texas and one in Arkansas have been beaten
by the Greenback candidates. The Green
back force proper may therefore rise to 10
OF fall to IL votes. But, in addition to these,
there are certain members who were elected
by union Of Democratic and Grcenback
votes, whose action in Congress may be with
either party if separate action occurs.
These are Phelps, of Connecticut, Smith,
of New Jersey, ard the three Democratic
aud Glcenback members from Wisconsin.
It is therefore, possible that as many as
twenty votes may be brought together
to act apart from the Democrats, without
counting men like Ewing, Bland and others
whose zeal for the repudatlng notions has
led them during the past session of Con-
grcss TO act against the decision OF Demo-
cratic caucus on financial issues. But if as
many as twenty Greenback members stand
apart the Republicans having elected l3O
members already, the Democrats cannot con-
troll IA majority of the House. That there
may be separate action seems probable from
the fact that majority OF the twenty MEM
bers named were formerly Republicans.
Moreover, thcro are several independent
Democratic members whose action cannot be
certainly predicted. 1t is stated that Love,
Of Alabama, was elected upon n pledge that
he would not go into Democratic caucus.
If Judge Sawyer has been elected over
Colonel Crisp in the With Missouri District,
oil
back votes Mr.. Specr, in the lXth Georgia,
was elected us all independent over regular
Democratic candidates. aud Olseilly and
O'Brien III this State are i'll the same posi-
ton. The loss of either or all of these
votes would stil further reduce the
Democratic strength. Finally, it is not
vet certain whether Clark or Ross has
been elected ia New jersey Harris or Kitchen
in North Carolina, Bisbee or Davidson in
Florida, Haralson or Shelley III Alabama and
four members in California are yet TO be
chosen. The Republicans really carried three
of tho districts last year, and will doubtless
carry three, if not all, at the election next
year. Thus the Republican strength will
probably reach 1873 votes, with five moro
members in doubt rs between Republican amt
Democratic candidates. 1t Will be seen that.
in order 10 elect Speaker the Democrats
have vet 10 accomplish several things viz:
1. To carry all the five districts doubtful as
between Republicans and Democrats, includ-
ing one in' California.
2. TO secure the support OF all the five inde-
pendent Democrats.
9. To carry all the s0ar districts named as
doubtful between Grcenback and Democratic
candidates.
4. To secure the support of at least -four Of
the five members named as elected by comb
nation of Democratic and Greenhack votes.
Having accomplished I'll these things. they
will have only las votes, bare majority OF
the House, provided Grcenback members to
the number OF only thirteen stand apart.