The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-05-18
THE CAUCUS.
The Policy That the Democrats in
Congress Will Pursue.
The Appropriations Bills Not to Be Passed,
But the Current Appropriations to
Be Extended Until Congress
Meets This Fall.
THE CAUCUS.
fsneetal to the Democrat.l

Especial to the Democrat
WASHINGTON, May 17-Four days reflec-
tion and consultation since the last veto have
practically anticipated the work Of the eau
Gus, so that something like an Intelligent
guess OF what action will be taken next week
by the Democrats may be ventured at this
time. The disposition to get through and go
before their constituencies as soon as possible
has been growing among the Democrats In
both houses until 1t Is safe to say that a de-
cided majority OF the joint caucus will be
found favoring an early adjournment when
ever expression is had. There are still quite
number whose voice is for sitting It out to any
extreme, but they are In minority and will not
attempt to enforce their views outside OF the
caucus. The Idea OF passing the regular ap-
preparation bills, under dictation from the
White House, is not thought OF by any DEM
ocrat In either branch OF Congress; neither is
there any serious intention OF leaving the ex-
penses OF the government unprovided for.
Indeed, such an attempt would be futile
for Hayes would keep calling sessions Ii Con-
gress adjourned. Under these circumstances,
there is but one method Of procedure, and
that, In the opinion OF Senators Thurman,
Eaton, Maxey. Garland Cockrell. Mcdonald.
Speaker Randall, and In fact all the older
heads and more prominent leaders In both
houses will be formally determined on at the
caucus to be held next week. The
programme In view ID substantially as fol-
lows: Letting the vetoed army bill lie
where it is without further action; the
Legislative bill will be sent to Hayes early
next week. 1t will Of course be vetoed. Then
separate bill repeating the obnoxious cleo
ton laws will be passed. This will also be
vetoed, which will complete the record Of the
great parties on the question Of popular SOW
ereignty and free elections versus martial law
and Federal surveillance. In the meantime the
silver bill is expected to pass both houses
and be vetoed like the balance After all this
has been done, the army bill will be taken up
pro forma, and further consideration OF 1t
postponed until next December. The same
will be done with the legislative bill. Then
Joint resolutions will be offered extending the
current appropriations, to cover the interreg
mum and there seems to be no reason to doubt
that these will be passed. Whether Congress
will avail itself of the prerogatve Of present.
Ing an address to Hayes is not clear, but the
bulk Of Indications are that this will be done.
The above outlook Of probabilities is sum
mary Of the expressions Of at least forty lead
ing Democrats, In both branches, to your cor
respondent personally. 1t may be modified
In some minor details by events but 1t is per-
fectIy safe to proceed on the assumption that
1t will be carried out In subtance. The general
belief is that this programme can be got
through with BY. the middle Of June. There
is very little, II ANY chance, for general
legislation outside OF that involved In the
programme. The levee bill may be an excep-
ton through the energy with which 1t Is be-
ing pushed by our delegation.