Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-03-11
From the New York Times.
The BOIIrbOnS i'm Power.

the majority in the late House of repre-
sentativcs. 1t is As easy to affect modcra-
ton after the event as to deprcciate the
policy of which that event is logical re-
suit The Senators who do both confess
either their cowardice or the hopelessneSs
of resistance to the extremists who rule
the party The latter is the more proba-
Bile solution, and it may be accepted rs an
indication of the party's course in the eX-
ira session, and of the form in which the
matters in dispute will eventually be pre-
scented to the country. independence is II
sufficiently common characteristic of dem
ocratic leaders, so long as it is confined to
talk. They can be sensible and even pat
riotc in their utterances, when these in
volvt no decisive action When that be-
comes necessary their convictions are laid
aside: their patriotic wisdom oozes out ;
they become rs servile in their partisan
ship rs the most rampant dema9ogue de
sires them to be. Such has been thcrpro-
an extra session necessary. it were folly
to rely upon them us an obstacle to the
execution of the plan set forth by Senator
Beck. We have seen the beginning of Il
policy which, if persisted in, must lead To
fierce partisan strife. We may look for
ward to a more critical stage, with the be-
lief that the men who, though preaching
moderation, allowed ultraism to 90 on I'M
checked, will again submit meekly to the
dictation of the violent portion of the de
mocracy.
so far rs it is possible now to Judge, the
worst elements of the party will be rela-
lively stronger in the new House than in
the one which inaugurated the contest.
That they will not be less audacious
may be inferred from the fact that
they will have no apprehension of re-
sistance by the Senate. The programme
will be carried out literally. and
to understand its possible scope we
must keep in mind its motive force. Al
ready ii is evident that two of the three
were, on the side of the democrats, clumsy
preteXts All the solemn commonplaees in
regard to the military power at elections,
and the necessity of binding it by II specific
provision in the Army Appropriation bill
are humbug. There is not, and never
was, the slightest danger from this source,
and the republicans care so little about IFS
retention that they would have acquicsced
in its removal if the hindrance to business
could have been disposed of Equally
dishonest is the show of anxiety for the re-
moval of the anomalous disability imposed
on Southern jurors. But for democratic
Indifference and bad faith, the disability
would have been set aside with the help of
republican votes. Such termination of
the controversy respecting these measures
was not wanted by the democrats. Their
game requires the continuance of these
measures assignable reasons for the re-
fusal TO pass necessary appropriations.
iH' 'iJ'Nt ui'S itaiIy aliil III II tllc tVilul-
siton of liberty to do as they please at
elections in New York and other States
whose favorable verdict is required to
place the democracy in complete posses
sion of the government. When its officers
do their duty under the existing law, the
federal government is an obstacle to the
accomplishment of this purpose. The
federal supervisors and deputy marshals
make fraud dangerous if not impossible
Therefore, the democrats insist that there
shall be no more federal supervision. Tn
der cover of the advocacy of free cleo
tons, they want to be assured that they
may with impunity perpetrate the frauds
which have again and again made New
York democratic State, and which are
their only sure reliance for 1880.
The contest on which the democrats
have entered is, then, a necessary part of
their scheme for strengthening their occu-
patton of Congress and getting the Presi-
dency into their hands. A free and pure
ballot is the very thing they abhor. 1t
stands in the way of their success. Hence
their determination to stifle discussion by
dealing with the measure for abroeatinp
Federal supervision in form that rem
dered discussion impossible. As it is an
nounced that the extra session will he
short, we suppose that similar tactics will
again be employed. Whether the meas
IRE be presented independently or as part
of the Legislative Appropriation bill. is
immaterial. The action of the party now
dominant in Congress depends, not upon
Intelligence, but upon brute force. Tn,
whole proceeding is an assertion of the
right of partisan majority in that body
to override the Executive by other thar
constitutional means, and to make publ,
business subordinate to their own ends
Ii We're as reasonable to hope for deliver
anee bya special intervention of Provi.
deHce as to assume that. after HAVING oono