The Democratic advocate., 1879-06-07
Political Affairs.

The Congressional Democratic Caucus, aller
much discussion on the subject, has con-
elnded to pass the appropriation bills, more
specifically defining the items in certain re-
CARDS than heretofore, declare the virtue of
is intentions, aud permit Congress to adjourn
and the members TO 90 home. The legisla-
ton which the President declines to consent
TO is practically concentrated in a separate
bill making appropriations for the support Of
the judiciary branch Of the government, but
abolishing the jurors test oath and providing
that no money therein appropriated shall be
used for fees, salaries, compensation or ex-
penses of any person appointed under or by
virtue Of title 26 Of the Revised Statutes
the chapter, namely, which contains the Fed
eral election laws. This bill may or may not
be vetoed but il vetoed that need not prevent
Congress from going home. The extra ses-
sion has brought TO the front what is likely TO
become very conspicuous issue in the next
campaign for the presidency, the question,
namely as to whether congressional elections
are to be conducted by the people Of the
States, with proper, restricted and legiti-
mate federal supervision, or whether they are
to be conducted exclusively under the control
of the government at Washington, aided by
supervisors, deputy marshals, and the mill
tary, if their presence and use be thought ne
eessary by the President and his advisers.
The Washington Star Of Wednesday evening
on this subject says:
"This programme shows very careful con
sideration. 1t repeals no legislation on the
statute books except the test oath laws, which
are practically dead letter, and wipes out
none Of the .'vestiges OF war legislation. "
The use of troops at the polls to preserve the
peace or for any other purpose is not prohi-
bited; neither is the employment of deputy
marshals or supervisors. There is simply no
appropriation made for such use of troops
nor for the employment Of such officers OF the
law. 1t is very probable that by this pro-
gramme the democrats will overcome their
difficulty with the Presiden.. The jurors
test oath repeal is considered proper by even
the most stalwart republicans. As to the
other portions of the programme, they are in
appropriation bills which repeal nothing.
Congress evidently can specify as minutely as
may be deemed proper how the money It APP
propriates shall be expended, and can leave
out an item in an appropriation bill which il
thinks best not to insert. Such specification
and such omission are not regarded as rea'
sons why the bills in questions should be ve-
toed. IL is, therefore, not very probable that
the President will exercise his veto power IL
the programme is carried out in its present
shape. IL he thought that Congress had
failed 10 make provision where provision
should be made, he might call call il together
again; but he would hardly veto the measures
in which such omission occurs. The chances
are, however, that there will be neither veto
nor another session, if such contingencies de-
pend alone on the present attitude OF the ma
jority.
JOg HooKER or HAYES I'm the Cincinnati
IaqHirer's late interview with Gen. Joe Hook.
er, the following passage occurs:
81 thought well Of Hayes when be marched
the troops away from the State Governments
in the South. IL was brave and honest act
on his part, and made him the greatest among
our Presidents. But now that he says that
the soldiers must be stationed at the polls and
the army be required TO supervise the cleo.
tions he has forfeited the regard / held for
him. Still, think it was his weakness that
led him to this last act He was buldozed
into Il BY members Of his cabinet. But had
rather he had stood firm on the ground he
first took
Democratic gains are reported from the
town elections IN Rhode Island. Woonsock.
ct, famous for cider and Republican maiori-
ties, has elected an entire Democratic ticket.
WARWICK also elects a majority Of Democrats.
Little Rhody stands firm in the face Of the
debilitating revolution
The New York World pertinently suggests
that perhaps a ballot.box transhxed by a
bayonei may prove for the Democrats as good
an emblem 10 be carried in torch-light pro-
eessions this year as a log cabin with hard
cider barrel once did for the Wings.