The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-02-15
STANDING FIRM.
THE DEMOCRATS DETERMINED TO
FORCE THE REPEAL OF THE ELEC-
TION AND JURORS TEST OATH
LAWS.
substitute Which May be offered for
the "Rider"-The Feeling Among the
Democrats Increasing Bayard'a
Friends Deserving Him-Judge brad
ley and the Political Prosecutions.
Especial TO the Democrat /

Especial to the Democrat
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-The Democratic
Senators held another caucus to-day, but
owing to slim attendance nothing Of import
ance was done.
1t may be considered settled that the House
will stand firm on the repeal OF both the cleo
tion laws and the test oath. When the legis-
latlve. executive and judicial bill leaves the
House 1t will contain q proviso to repeal the
test oath and the eleven sections OF Revised
Statutes, under which the present internal
crusade is being carried on. Then. In case the
Senate rejects these amendments, the House
will present In the conference committee
o substitute which, leaving the law as 1t now
stands, will provide that whenever demur-
rer on the ground OF the unconstitutionality
of the law shall be overrued by the Circuit
Court writ OF error shall lie to the Supreme
Court OF the United States, and that pending
a decision OF the questions raised by such
writ no further indictments or prosecutions
shall take place. This, of course, will not
affect the appointment OF deputy marshals
and supervisors. but it will effectually stay
the present desperate crusade till the new
Congress can organize
1t is said this substitute is the suggestion
OF the venerable Jerry Black, and will be
backed by Sam Randall. OF course Randall,
through his power to appoint the conferees
on the part OF the House, can compel the
adoption OF any tactics he pleases and
though he is now In favor OF the repeal out
and out, he would fall back on the above sub
stitute rather than force an extra session;
but, judging from the tendency OF feeling
among Democrats here, there will be no
chance for the substitute whatever.
Thurman, Beck, Voorhees,, Mcdonald, Eus-
tbs, Gordon, Jones OF Florida and White In
the Senate and Blackburn, Southland Sayler,
Morrison, Hunton, Clark of Missouri, Lut-
trell, and, In fact, nearly every man OF
exceptional prominence, are all laboring
night and day to secure an unbroken
party front In both branches for the re.
peal, pure and simple, and against any
substitute or compromise whatever. The
is that nearly all those Demo-
Gratis who at first appeared inclined to adhere
to Bayard have been forced by the pressure
TO desert him, and he may be said to stand
practically alone 50 far as pronounced oppo-
stion to the repeal Is concerned.
Senator Thurman, In caucus yesterday, is
said to have made fifteen minutes speech in
favor Of the repeal, which, as model OF true
Democracy In principle and lofty courage OF
has not been equaled since the days
OF Andrew Jackson.
In addition to their attitude in caucus
and Blackburn are making what
might be called a personal canvass In their
branches Of Congress in favor of
the repeal, manifesting zeal and diligence
rarely seen In relation to purely public mat
terS.
AS for Bayard, he stands substantially
alone, or If he has any sympathizers, they are
SO much impressed by the torrent Of indigna-
tion pouring In from all sides that they dare
not openly advocate their preference. 1t is
even said that Bayard would gladly rece te
from his position II he could. / was informed
to-day by Western Democratic Senator that
Bayard bitterly resents what he calls the VIC
ation Of the privacy Of the caucus in the pub
ication Of his remarks. He is reported as
saying that his attitude In the caucus was
published at the instance OF his rivals for the |
presidential nomination, In order to prejudice |
The Southern people against him, but he does |
not and cannot deny the tact, and that's the |
main thing.
It Is safe to say that nothing will be done |
before the middle of next week. and by that |
lime 1t will be 80 hot here that no Democrat |
will dare to lift his voice for any sort OF com
promise.
Mr.. Gibson has petition, signed by Mich
Ills, Wiltz, Jonas and others, asking Associate
Justice Bradley, Of the Supreme Bench to sit
With Woods and Billings in the approaching
rials. Bradley said to-day he would go II de-
allied for that duty by the Chief Justice, but
would not volunteer. AS he is known to re-
ard the law as constitutional only within a
'ery limited sphere his presence In New Or
cans would probably be desirable. Gibson
elieves that Bradley would dismiss without
osts nearly all the cases now on Woods, and
Billings docket under the election law.
A. C. 3.