New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-08
WHAT THE DEMOCRATS MUST FACE.


PRESIDENT RESOLVED NOT TO GIVE or Tue PRO-
TrCTloN OF THE BALLoT-BoX-A sIOPPAGE OF
THEIR own SALARIES.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TEIBUNE.l
WAsHINGTON, March Tt my be taken for
granted that no law providing for the repeal of the
sections relating TO the United States Supervisors
and their duties will be signed by the President OF
course. he has not even intimated TO anyone that
he will pursue this course and he could
not with pr0priety Indicate his intention.
But it is definitely known that he regards
these laws as right and necessary and just
to all parties, and as entirely non-partlsan III
character and designed only TO secure honesty III
National elections. He is known also to be in
thorough accord with the Republicans i'll Congress
III regard to these laws, and doubt is felt among
the latter but that he will stand firmly
with them to the last in maintaining the present
laws on the statute books. As to the repeal of the
jurors oath, there Will be no opposition 10 that
among Republicans. Indeed an offer made to
the Democrats in conference committee to yield
that. As 10 the employment Of troops about the
polls, IT is not expected that the Republicans
or the President will deem it necessary TO allow the
Army bill to fail on that account. 1t Is quite posi-
BE that the Republicans may yield the section re-
lauug to the use OF troops for many Of the best
lawyers among them hold that under the laws IN re-
gard to defiance OF OHltcu states laws (uc lIcSl-
dent has all the authority needed TO use troops IN
spite Of the posse cOmtatus clause.
The Democrats are just beginning TO consider one
feature Of the failure to pass the Legislative bill
which did not attract their attention to any great
extent when they were contemplating the effect
which the failure of this bin would have upon tho
Administration. They seem to have forgot
ten that all the expenses of Congress are
also in this bill, including not only the
salaries Of members aud Senators and all
employees. but the amount needed for stationery,
fuel lights, folding documents pages all means Tor
carrying their mails all messenger service, and III
short every expense about the Capitol, the port
ing of debates aud stationery for committees
as well as fOr members. None of these
things can be provided for after the 3Oth
of June, if the Legislative bill IS not
without subjecting any officer violating il to Grim
mai prosecution.
These considerations are having a very marked
effect upon both the Democratic members and the
large crowd of candidates for place. The idea of
serving, perhaps for several months, without pay Is
not pleasant and II Is particularly dlsagrccable TO
the majority of candidates, who will, even when
successful, exhaust most OF Their available
resources in the trlp 10 Washington and
IN the contest tor positions. 1t Is admitted even bH
those Democrats who talk most loudly OF never
SuUendng their present position on the super
VlsOrs law, aud OF stopping the wheels OF Govern
ment till the Republicans and the President sur
render, that this stopping Of their own supplies
also will introduce very troublesome dlSsatlsfac-
ton II not muuny into their own ranks.