The Portland daily press., 1879-03-24
THE SUPERVISOR LAW.
The Democrats Decide Not to
Repeal the Whole Of 1t.
They Think the President Will
Accept a Compromise.

WASHINGTON, March 22.-The committee ap-
pointed by the House and Senate Democratic
caucus to make recommendations concerning the
order of business for the extra session. held joint
meeting to-day ofve and half hours duration Mr..
Thurman presided.
The tirst question discussed was whether the
political legislation desired by the dominant party in
Congress should be effected by the passage of a
seperate measure or by incorporation of repeating
clauses, etc., in the appropriation bills.
Nearly every one present participated in the dis
cussion, aud it was finally determined that the
latter course would be most expedient especially for
the that it seemed likely to save time, there
being general desire to finish the necessary business
of the session as early as possible.
The next question considered was whether the
political portions Of the appropriation bills should
now be passed left at the last session, or whether
repeating clauses regarding the Federal election laws
should be modified to repeal only three sections
comforting police powers on supervisors, and thus
continuing the authorization tor the appointment of
two supervisors of different politics to serve in
testimonial capacity at each poll witnesses of the
count Of votes.
After an exhaustive discussion it was decided to
recommend the adoption of the modified proposition
above described.
The joint meeting proceeded to consider the
question whether the legislation Of the present
session should be strictly confined to appropriation
bills, including tho measures above indicated, or
whether general business should not bs transacted
by either House, when not engaged on an appro-
priatian bill. A decided majority of the Senate
caucus committee favored the restriction of the
business of the session to appropriations bills, AMI
to the enactment Of what is known as the "yellow
fever biT.' A majority of the House committee in
xboe r,1itsa for
business should be improved, without, however.
prolongipg the session after the appropriation bills
were disposed of.
1t was decided to report disagreement this SUBJ
ect to the joint caucus, and leave the settlement OF
the matter to majority OF the Democratic members
of both Houses.
NEW YORK, March pa Washington special
says that all efforts of the Democrats to get the
Republican leaders to consent to some modification
of the Federal election laws have come to naught
The Republicans decline absolutely to yield single
point and express willingness to go to the country
next election on this issue.
Failing here The Democratic leaders have turned
their attention the President and cabinet and are
asserting to-day that the President indicated Wiling
ness to compromise and would not refuse to sign
modified repeal of the law. Members of the ad-
minisration are not of one opinion on the question
and it is evident that if the President yields in any
degree to the Democrats and fails to act in unison
with his party there will be serious troubles in the
cabinet which may lead to open rupture.
The Republican leaders are not pleased at the
outlook and say frankly that if the President makes
any terms with the Democrats he endangers
Republican victory in 1880 and will create dissen-
sions among the Republicans not now existing. The
Democratic leaders are quite jubilant to-day and
talk as though partial repeal of the election laws
was only question of a few days time. Several
leading Republicans will have conference with the
President to-day, and will urge him to give his
consent to any bill; which changes the election laws
In the slightest manner.