The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1879-03-27
The Programme.


committees appointed by the House
and Senate Democratic caucuses, to
make recommendations concerning the
order of business for the extra session,
held JOINT meeting to-day of five and
a half hours continuous duration.
There were present Senators Thurman,
Whyte, Herman, Salisbury, Jones oil
Florida, Vance and Bailey, and Repre-
seAtatives Chalmers, Carlisle, Cox of
New York, Ewing, Springer, Tucker,
Atkins, CIymer, Reagan, Becknell and
Phelps. Senator Thurman presided.
The first question discussed was
whether the political legislation de-
sired by the dominant party in Con-
gress should be effected by the passage
of a separate measure or by the incor-
poration of the repeating clauses. ETC.,
in the appropriation bills. Nearly
every one present participated in the
discussion, and it was finally de-
termined that the latter course
would be the most expediert, espe-
cislly for the reason that 1t seemed
likely to save time, there being a gen.
eral desire to finish the necessary bust
ness of the session at as early day as
possible. This decision was reached
by vote of Is against 5, two Sena-
tors and three Representatives voting
in the negative.
The next question considered was
whether the political portions of thu
appropriation bills should now be
passed with the same terms with which
they were passed at the last session or
whether the reperling clauses in regard
to the Federal election laws should be
modified so as to repeal only those sec
tions which authorize the appointment
of chief supervisors and deputy mar
shals for elections, together with tie
sections comforting police powers on
the supervisors of elections, thus con-
tinuing authorization for the appoin;-
ment of two supervisors, of different
politics, to serve in 6 testimonial ca
pacity at each poll as witnesses at the
count of the votes.
After an exhaustive discussion it was
decided to recommend the adoption of
the modified proposition above de-
scribed. The vote was ID to 4, there
being .wo Senators and two Represent
tatives in favor of the total repeal. A
joint meeting was thea authorized,
Thurman, Salisbury, Bailey and Ker-
nan, Chalmers, Springer, Carlisle and
Atkins, to formulate provisions in ac-
cordance with this decision in regard
to the election laws, and also provIs-
ions for total repeal of Jurors test
Oath, aud the existing authorization of
the presence OF troops at polls, and for
incorporation in legislative, executive,
Judicial and army appropriation bills
together with such additional provls-
ions as they may deem necessary to Sc
cure free and fair elections for repre-
sentstives and delegates to Congress.
Ttey were also especially authorized
to consider the propriety of framing
punishment for section $500 of the
Revised Statutes, which prescribes the
penalties for violation of the election
laws.
Springer's proposition to provide in
addition to the repeal of the law con-
corning the presence of troops at the
polls, for the enactment of the existing
English statute of George II on that
subject was, very favorably received.
The joint subcommittee will proba-
bly, recommend its adoption. It pro-
hibits any soldier stationed within two
miles of voting place from leaving
his quarters on election day, except to
relieve guard or to go to the polls and
vote, and requires HIM in the latter
case to return to his quarters i'm medi-
ately afterwards The joint sub-com-
mittee will meet at 9 O'Clock Monday
and expect to report to another joint
meeting of the two caucuses of the
committees on Tuesday. After ap-
pointing this subcommittee, the joint
meeting to day proceeded to consider
the question whether the legislation
of this session should be strictly
confined to the appropriation bills
including the measures above indica-
ted, or whether general business
should not be transacted by either
House when not engaged on the appIo-
priatlon bill. A decided majority of
the Senate caucus committee favored
the restriction Of the business of the
session to appropriation bills and to
the enactment of what is known as the
yellow fever bill. A majority, but
not large one, of the House COM
mittee insisted that opportunities for
transacting business should be imprcv-
ed without, however, prolonging the
session after appropriation bills shall
have been disposed of. and finally decie-
ed to report disagreement on this sub
ject to the joint caucus, aud leave the
settlement of the question to majori-
ty of the democratic members of both
houses. This meeting of the joint
caucus win probably be held Tuesday
evening. w