New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-03
TROUBLE,

other side. They have gone back to WASH
inrton. not by any means in the mood OF re-
morse. but filled nevertheless with the bitter
ness of regret They are highly dissatisfied
with the experiment of the Extra Session. IL
did not accomplish what was expected of it /;
il led TO all sorts of unpleasant consequences
and it proved to be extremely unpopular. Our
friends of the other side wish to forget all
abont it, and to start new game now, rs II
nothing had happened since the 4th OF March,
Ii Is a natural desire, but there are some dill
ficulties in the way of its Accomplishment.
That much-talked-a bout character, the Aver
age Voter often has an incOnvenientiy long
memory and even if 1t should fail him III
this case, it must soon be refreshed by the
proceedings to be taken in Congress.
Some unfinished business stands over from
the Summer. and will come mp, as n matter OF
course. to plague its inventors Mr.. Hostetter,
of Indiana, for example, has an extraordinary
scheme for prohibiting voluntary political con-
tributions by every class OF Federal office
holders, contractors and claimants a measure
of such wild absurdity that no sensible man
will wish to be seen voting for it, and yet so
onc-sidcd in its operatioD-supposing that it
crat will feel like giving it up. Mr.. Townshend,
of Illinois. left bill well advanced on the
House calendar to regulate" the removal of
causes from the State to the Federal Courts.
The fundamental principle of the bill is the
assertion of State supremacy. Mr. Townshend
defended and urged it on the most advanced
State Rights grounds Even if it were posi-
BILE under the rules to let the bill drop, Mr..
Townshend would not consent to the abandon
mcnt of his pct measure. He says that he
means TO force the fighting Oh it, and thus he
will renew the controversy in which his party
has already been so badly worsted. As soon
! as the floodgates of debate on this subject
are reopened the Democratic members will
surely commit themselves to some fresh de-
claration of folly, some violent reassertion of
the obnoxious principles which the wiser
among them are trying to keep in allegiance.
But the most serious embarrassments are
likely to arise over the question of enforcing
the Election laws This subject has already
been raised by the annual Report OF the At
| tOrney-G General, which calls attention to the
failure OF Congress TO vote appropriations for
the pay of United States Marshals, and 10 the
fact that these officers have not only discharged
their duties without the compensation 10 which
they are entitled by law, but have ad-
vanccd money for necessary expenses from
their private pockets. There is conse-
quently considerable sum due them
from the Treasury, and il constitutes a
debt which Congress cannot honOrably ignore.
1t is to be borne in mind that these officers
have been legitimately appointed, to execute
not merely the Election laws but Federal laws
generally. the processes of the courts, ETC.;
| that their compensation is fixed 10y statute !;
that they have already earned it; and that
there is no complaint of the manner IN which
| they have discharged their duty. The refusal
of the appropriation was partly an act of
spite, partly device to prevent the execution
of a certain law which the Democrats could
not repeal. The Extra Session broke off
while parties were holly debating whether
partisan majority in one branch of
| Congre :, or in both branches, could constitu-
| tlonally prohibit the executive department OF
the Government from performing its func
tions. The dispute begins again now just
| where the adjournment stopped il; and the
| Democracy cannot evade the uuwelcome DIS
cussiOn except by an unconditional surrender.
| Either alternative will involve them in end
less trouble. For the Republicans the path IS
easy. They have only to 20 on in the con-
stitutiOnal course they followed with such
happy results in the last session, and it will
| lead them TO victory.