New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-02
PREPARING TO SURRENDER.

PREPARING TO SURRENDER.
rur Caucus COMMITTEE RESOLVES THAT THE BILL
ABorT The USE OF TROOPS SHOULD BE PASSED
prroRg APPROXIMATIONS ARE MADE. BUT
GIVES UP THE ONLY VITAL POINTS COMMENDED
FOR.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl
U.sgIxGroy. MAY 1.-The joint committee of the
Dorocratic caucus of which Senator Thurman is
chairman. held a meeting this afternoon after
the adjournment Of Congress and adopted
,oport which is TO he submitted to the caucus to-
morrow afternoon. Senator Hampton and General
Rracg two new members of the committee, were
present and participated in the deliberations. Sen
ator Herman and Representative Tucker were abb
sent.
The almost universal favor with which the Presi-
dents veto message has been received in the cOun-
fry and the sentiment which peryades even tho
Democratic press adverse to the policy of the Dem
ocrotic managers in Congress have already had a
marked effect IN toning down the ardOr of the BOur-
hon leaders and have bred a conservatism among
them such as has not been seen for mouths This
was especially apparent in the meeting of the eau
Gus Committee this af ernOon, when the absence OF
extreme views such as were so arroganty put for
ward at the beginning of the extra session was the
most remarkable feature of the proceedings.
member of the committee said this evening that he
was surprised that so much conservatism should be
shown.
The Caucns Committee considered only what
should be fnc in regard to the Army bill. The
caucus held soon after Congress met in extra ses-
sion decided that the sixth section should be mado
part of that bill, that no amendment to it should
be allowed and that the President should be re-
oured to accept it in the shape in which Congress
framed it, or to veto the whole bill. That pro-
gramme has been carried out and Congress is now
in lust the same position which it occupied when
the extra session began. The meeting this after
noon was for the purpose of determining what
should he done next. One thing was evident from
the start and that was that the Democratic party
would have to give up its attempt to prevent the
use of force by civil officers of the United States for
the enforcement of the laws and for the preserva-
ton of peace at the polls When this feature of the
sixth section of the Army bill was under discussion
in Congress Republican speakers in both houses
pointed out this feature of the most objection
able in il but the Democrats absolutely refused to
change the section, although they admitted indirectly
that the Republican Interpretation of il was cor
rect. Their intention then was that this should
form part of their proposed legislation. The Pres
ident has now exposed the iniquity Of such an en-
actnent in such way that the most extreme Dem
ocrats themselves realize that they cannot defend
that particular provision before the country; and
the first thing the Caucus Committee determined 10
do, therefore. was to modify the bill in such way
as to make 1t perfectly plain that the powers OF
civil officers shall not be interfered with
This is an important victory for the Republicans,
for by the resolution the Democrats surrender the
only point of any consequence, aside from the at
tempt to the President, on which the Presi-
dent and the Democrats in Congress disagreed. The
Democrats very over the necessity of back
ING down in this way, but they now join with one
accord in asserting that they never intended to in
81 lie hot
sixth :section of the Army bill fairly interpreted
would not authorize any such interference. All
they ever intended, they say, was to keep United
States troops from being sent to the polls before
any riot has occurred ostensbly to keep the peace.
but really to intimidate voters. They now very
anxious TO have the country believe that this IS and
has been the only question at issue. Unfortunately
for them the people have not such short memories
that they have already forgotten the history of the
past six weeks.
The next question considered by the Caucus Com
mttee was the mode of procedure III the future.
The which was held soon after the opening
of the session determined that the political section
of the Army bil and the appropriations which
were necessary for the support of the Army, should
stand or fall together. More than one Representa-
tive declared that not a dollar should be granted
for the support of the Army except upon the condi-
tons fixed. 1t was not pleasant thing for the COM
mttee with these boasts and threats still ringing in
the ears of the country TO recommend a complete
backdowD, and advise that the political legislation
should be presented TO the President a separate
measure but that is believed to be just what they
concluded to 10. The programme that is to be pre-
sented to the caucus tomorrow Is therefore be-
ieved to be as follows: $50,
first-Ihat the sixth section of the Amy bill
Idll be so amended as to make it forbid only the
of United States troops at the polls, but not in
teTfere with the exercise by civil officers of the
United States of all the powers now conferred upon
them by law.
Seoond-rhat this section as amended shall be
passed a separate measure and sent TO the Presi
dent for bis signature.
ThiTd-Ihat Congress await the Presidents ac-
ton upon that bill before considering further the
question of appTOpriatinR money for the Army.
This programme, il will be seen, Is a complete
surrender Of all the points in controversy between
the Democrats and Republicans. The latter have
never advocated the Of troops at the polls and
the President has shown that the passage OF a law
now forbiddn0 their use In elections is bratua
faIneH, because, by an act passed last year ana
signed by President Hayes, 1t IS now unlawful 10
make such use of soldiers. The Republicans de-
Clared that the Democrats never should 1ofDlu inc
United States Government. by Its civil officers.
armed with power perform their duties 10 be pres
en at the polls at it's elections, ana the Demo
Gratis have agreed, will agree 10 yield TINS point.
The Republicans denounced as revolutionary the
Democratic attempt 70 coerce the President into
the approval of measure to which he was Opposed
by a threat to withhold appropriations, and the
democrats have abandoned IT. The surrender Oh
The Democrats was not only inevitable, II has al
ready been made.
THE VOTE ON THE VETO.