The New York herald., 1879-03-11

democratic competitors, Mr.. Randall ana
Mr.. Blackburn. The former is said to have
taken rooms for his headquarters at the Ma
tional Hotel, while the latter will be found
ut Willard's. There was decided lull in
the excitement yesterday, owing to MIR.
Randall's absence and Mr.. Blackburn's
passiveness but Mr.. Randall is expected
to be at Washington to-day, and his arrival
will no doubt be the signal for vigorous
operations. The friends of both express
great confidence and will be very active.
Both of these candidates are upright, esti-
mable gentlemen, of high standing in their
party. with excellent qualifications for an
able discharge Of the duties Of the Speak
ership.
1t has been suggested in some quarters
very lightly and even wildly suggested, as
we think-that, owing to the narrowness of
the democfatic majority and the probable
absence, from illness and other causes, OF
some of the democratic members, the repub-
licans may perhaps elect General Garfield
as Speaker and control the organization of
the House. It would not be for the interest
of the republican party to resort to this
species of sharp practice. even if they could
make it successful. It would infame
party passions and provoke bitter spirit
of retaliation. Mr.. Garfeld's position as
Speaker could be made annoying with q
majority OF the House opposed to him
and watching for opportunities to pun
ish palpable trick. The spirit Of
revenge would extend beyond the House
to the Senate, and President Hayes is so
dependent on an opposition Senate for the
confirmation Of every appointment he
may make during the residue of his term
that it would be unwise for his friends to
provoke a spirit of party retaliation by
availing themselves of the ill health of a few
democratic absentees to deprive the demo-
Gratis Of their just claim to control the or
ganization of the House Mr.. Garfield is q
considerate and fair-minded politician. We
are confident that he will be no party to On
only put him in q most uncomfortable po-
sition, but would embarrass President
Hayes during the remainder of his term by
challenging the democratic Senate to thwart
and humiliate him.
Even if we could suppose it possible for
an honorable man like Mr.. Garfield to lend
himself to such scheme the democrats Of
the House would find little difficulty in
heading it of. Let the republicans do what
they may they cannot possibly have a
quorum. They have only one hundred and
twenty-eight members, and even on the i'm
probable supposition that they could in
duce oil the greenback members to act with
cans and greenbackers would amount to
only one hundred and forty-one. whereas Q
quorum Of the actual members cannot, by
any mode of computation, be less than one
hundred and forty-four. The democrats
have only to stand aloof and absent them
selves to prevent any steps toward the
organization of the House until o con-
trolling number of their own members are
on the ground. They can wait, if neces-
sary, until the sick recover and report fos
duty. sFn 'e
Another piece of sharp practice has been
suggested, which also will amount to MOTH
ing. It is asserted by some heated repub-
cratic members are liable to arrest for vio-
lating the federal election laws, and that by
this means the democrats of the House
may be deprived Of their slender majority.
This is vain and futile imagination. The
constitution declares that members of both
houses ''shall in all cases, except treason.
felony and breach of the peace. be privi-
legged from arrest during their attendance
at the session of their respective houses, and
in going to and returning from the same"
Violation of the federal election laws does
not come within the definition Of treason,
and it is not felony. 1t is not felony be-
cause it is not declared to be felony by any
statute. It is not felony because the PEN
alties against 1t are merely such moderate
fine and imprisonment as belong to offences
which are classed as misdemeanors. The
accused members ore already on their way
to the seat of government, and the consti-
tuition protects them against arrest unless
they should commit breaches of the peace
on their journey. We have made it suffi-
ciently clear that the republicans cannot
elect the Speaker and organize the House
by taking advantage of the accidental abb
sence of democratic members. They can
not assemble o quorum, and without .
quorum they can take no steps toward
organizing the House. The democrats have
only to keep aloof until their majority ar
rives, if it should not be present on the
first day. But the Indications nro that the
democrats will have minority in Washing
ton on, the 18th. We may dismiss as idle
oil speculation respecting tho possibility
of republican Speaker.
The contest between Mr.. Randall and
Mr.. Blackburn will bo sharp and vigorous,
and the chances arc doubtful enough to
make the struggle interesting Mr.. Ran