The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-02-12
PRICE TWO CENTS.
THE DECISIONS IN CAUCUS.
PROSPECTS OF 4 STRUGGLE OYER THE
APPROPRIATIONS BILLS.
Legislation Demanded by Democrats TO be
Resisted by RepubIieans-The Repeal Of
the Jurors Test Oath Likely to Pass.

Legislation Demanded by Democrats to be
Resisted by RepubIicans-The Repeal Of
the Jurors Test Oath Likely to Pass.
WASHINGTON, Feb. H. 49, The decision
reached by the Democratic caucus last night by
no means satisfies the sober second thought OF
the party in either House. The caucus decided
TO make the passage OF the Legislative or Gen.
eral Salary bill hinge on three amendments
the repeal Of the jurors test OATH affirmative
Legislation in the panelling and drawing Of Fed
eral juries and the repeal Of the eectlonilaws.
including the entire machinery for Federal
supervision and registry OF elections.
The first Of these will be insisted upon. and
after the informal conversation in the Cabinet
to-day. as well as in view of the current express
sion OF opinion by Republicans Of iboth Houses.
1t is probable that no serious resistance will be
made to its passage; but no prospect exists
that the last two amendments will be insisted
upon. 1t is doubtful whether they can secure a
majority in the House. 1t is certain that this
majority IL obtained cannot be held in the
House. nor will IL command n majority OF the
Democratic strength in the Senate. There is a
strong faction in the House and small clique
in the Senate anxious to Insist on the passage
OF these amendments. even at the risk Of an
extra session. A few Of these men are inter-
ested in the early disposition OF patronage.
Their only idea OF party policy appears to be
the distribution OF party spoils. Others are
anxious TO make capital at home by in
sistng on the repeal OF the election
laws. One or two New York mem-
bers are among them. but at the
caucus last night Senator Herman made
no secret Of his firm opposition to any aflrma-
tive Legislation or wholesale repeal OF the sys-
TEN OF election laws now on the statute book.
Extensive inquiry among the members Of the
House leads TO the belief that the repeal OF the
election laws II insisted upon at all. will be at
tached to the Legislative bill only 10 furnish a
basis for compromise TO secure the repeal OF
sections $40 and s2l Of the Revised Statutes.
embodyng the jurors test oath. Scarcely any
member believes this repeal Of the election laws
can, in any event. be secured. An extra session
would follow the struggle and an extra session
IL warmly opposed by every moderate man as
unwise foolish. and unnecessary. II is barely
possible that the struggle may be for while
protracted over the attempt to devise some new
method Of drawing Federal jures. but this will
be yielded at last.
morning. which was not altogether harmo-
NOUS gathering. The object OF the meeting
was 70 determine what course would be pur-
sued in resisting the repeating legislation
which the Democratic Joint caucus has deter
mined 70 engrait on the appropriation bills yet
to pass the House Senator Edmunds insisted
that the Senate must take a firm stand. and re-
sist upon principle all Legislation Of IA general
nature which might be placed upon Rppropria-
ton bills. He said that the Senate had rule
torbiddinR legislation OF this character, and the
Senate must be consistent IL must not only
resist Legislation which the House Incorporates
with appropriation bills. but 1t must set It's face
Ike a nlnt against ike measures originating in
the Senate. This was meant TO cut on leRisla-
ton In favor of the Brazilian steamship line.
which was this morning engrafted upon the
Post Ohice Appropriation bill by the Senate
COMMITTEES on Appropriations. This PROPOSE
ton OF Mr.. Edmunds raised row. and his
In the course cf' OF the C debate on Mr. Edmundss
resolution, Mr.. Blaine said that the Republi:
the laws Which the pemoeryats sre o1t
on the ground assumed by Senator Edmunds.
Nearly II not quite all these laws were origin
bills. II might not have been right 10 put them
there; but those who put them on and thus se-
cured their passage could not resist their re-
peal by the same method on the theory that IL
was vicious legisl9io There was but one
laws and that was that the laws We're lust and
right. and II was wrong to repeal them. II the
Democrats we're determined 10 defeat appro.
prlation bills and stop the machinery OF Cow
ernment in their effort 10 secure partisan legis-
ation they must take the RESPONSIBILITY. The
Republicans could better afford to have an ex-
ira session than the Democrats could to force
one by such means.
The first test in the Senate will be on the Post
lillian subsidy has been put Mr. Edmunds
VIII make the point Of order, that i is general
legislation, and in conflict with the Senate rule.
which forbds this. Therelare some Republic
cans who will vote with him, and some Demo-
Gratis also. A majority Of the Democrats are,
however in favor Of the Brazilian subsidy. and
thls TACT; as well as their desire to securs, the
repeal OF the test oath 10 jurors. will be nkely
70 make them vote against the point OF order.
There are some Democrats like Thurman. who
MIL vote to sustain the point OF order, and hold
that they will not be Inconsistent when they
vote TO sustain the repeal legislation
which"the House puts. on the ground
orsnstine % in the senate @ There is therefore
likely 70 be some lively scenes In the Senate
when the Post ONCE Appropriation bill comes
70 be considered Even Mr.. Edmunds voted for
the election laws to be put upon an appropria-
ton bill. They were moved by Mr.. Kellogg,
then senator and although the Democrats
made the point of order and insisted upon il
that the senate ru 10 forbds this sortlof legsla-
ton. Mr.. Edmunds supported the motion, and
il was carried despite Democratic protests Mr.
Blaine. who never forgets anything and who is
always personal on occasions OF this kind. will
not forget 10 quote the record on Mr.. Edmunds,
he owes Mr.. Edmunds Il grudge. anyhow and
some sharp fitting may be expected