Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-12-02
Probably n Long Session.

There Is no reason for the prediction quite
frequently uttered during the last two or three
days that the present session Of Congress will
terminate any earlier than first sessions usually
do. Indeed after aScertaining the views of
many OF the most influential members Of the
two houses especially among the minority
THE STAR inclines to the opinion that the ses-
sion will be recorded amongst the longest ever
held In the first place the financial question
may be said to be before Congress now. The
message of the President and report OF Secretary
Sherman have presented it for consideration,
and 1t is not subject that Is likely to BE- dis
posed OF In few hours or a few days. 1t has
not been the custom Of Congress heretofore to
act upon financial questions hurriedly, aad now,
on the eve of a Presidential election. it is GER
ta1nly reasonable to suppose that both parties
will move deliberately and cautiously. How
ever, If this were the only subject likely to
consume time. an early adjournment could be
reached but there is another subject involving
the question OF party policy and even party
principle, and upon which republicans and DEM
OcratS will not consent to compromise
without contest This is the question
of providing appropriations for the pay
of deputy marshaIs to serve at elections
The issue between the parties upon this matter
was clearly defined in the extra session, and 1t
Is apparent to any person who takes the pains
to ascertain the sentiment of democratic con-
gressmen that they are not willing to put them
selves on record as having been wrong at the
extra session by voting appropriations for dep
uty marshals at this session. The democrats
had expected to avoid this dilemma, and at the
same time TO avoid reSurrecting the issue by
Simply emitting the deputy marShalS' appro-
prfation from the judicial appropriation bill.
They argued that the President could not, or
would not, veto bill because of an omission of
some feature that he might think ought prop
erly to be contained in IL; but the message of
the President speaks out in very distinct Ian
guage on this matter and may imply that he
will insist upon this appropriation. The Presi-
dent recalls theaction OF Congress at the extra
session in subdividing the judicial bill and in
finally refusing the appropriation for marshals.
AS If, 1t would appear, to emphasize what he
thinks Congress ought to do, he quotes the
usual clause approprating money to enforce the
L. S. election laws and then adds:
"NO appropriation was made for this purpose
for the current year. AS no general election of
members OF Congress occurred, the omission
was matter OF little practical Importance.
Such election will, however, take place during
the ensuing year, and the appropriation made
for the pay OF marshalS and deputies should be
Suffic1ent to embrace compensation for the ser
vices they may be required TO perform at such
election"
The democrats In Congressman some, too. of
oiC hiooU SOIoCi NdUlft-Sdy UlldJ they CdLIlOU,
now, go forward and appropriate money to
carry out the Federal election laws, without
stultifying themselves; that they have put
themselves on record in condemnation of these
laws as unconstitutional and oppressive and
they cannot, by single vote, confess that they
were wrong. They had expected to quietly dis
pose OF the troublesome question by refusing the
appropriation, but If the President antagon1zes
them In this, there must be a contest" 1t may
be that some of the wiSest leaders can devise
plan to avoid the issue. 1t has been suggested
that, inasmuch, as questions directly affecting
the validity OF the election laws, are pending
before the supreme Court, that the court be
urged to make its decision as early as practical
BILE, and this decision would Of course, settle
the whole question. Both parties would be
bound by the voice OF the Supreme Court. II the
election laws should be held to be constitution
al, then the democrats would vaclJe their posi-
ton and vote the appropriation; lie held uncon-
stitutional the republican party would not ask
the Apr opriatton.