New-York tribune., 1879-05-24
TILE pEN0CRAIS ~ CONGRESS.

The Legislative Appropriation bill went to
the President yesterday, and it is stated that
his veto message is already in part prepared.
The leading Democrats themselves have no
expectation that the bill will meet his ap-
proval, nor does any one imagine that it can
be passed over veto. They know, too, that
the country will heartily sustain the veto of a
measure plainly intended to sweep away all
barriers against fraudulent elections or returns.
Nor do the Democrats dare to adjourn without
passing the Legislative bill IN some form.
The talk among those leaders who have thus
far been most influential iii shaping the ac-
ton of the party, since the extra session was
brought about is that the Legislative bill
will be passed without the Objectionable par
tisan features, but that appropriations for the
Army may, perhaps, be refused.
This is mere foolishness. The Democratic
majority in Congress Is behaving like q
spoiled baby in a fit Of bad temper. 1t lacks
the sense to protect its own interests, or to
pursue its own aims intelliGently. Mr.. Fer
nando Wood was right when he said, to the
disgust of other Democratic members, that
they might expect to be defeated in New
York at the Presidential election unless the
restraints of the Federal Election law should
he removed. That party cannot carry this
State except by outrageous frauds, and
it cannot perpetTate such frauds unless
the power Of the United States to supervise
the ballot and to prevent fraud is destroyed
If the party yields on that point, il may as
well yield and admit defeat on every point at
issue. The Army bill is much less important.
But Democratic members may as well make
l. hnth r,,tfn
bills before they go home. For the President
viii probably deem it his duty to call them
together again, as often as they may adjourn,
until proper provision for the support OF the
Army has been made. In the end, some Of
the Democratic members will join with the
Republicans, and the bills will be passed.
1t is thought at Washington that the desire
of the Southern men to break up the present
Army organization, in order to open places
for those officers vino proved traitors when
the civil war broke out, lies at the bottom of
the peculiar stubbOTnness about the Army bill.
That may be. The country, at any rate, viii
not be slow to appreciate the situation II the
Confederate Brigadiers in Congress refuse
their lawful pay to the loyal soldiers OF the
Union. Nor can the Southern members
shirk full responsibility for whatever
the Democratic party in Congress may
do or leave undone. They form a ma
jority i'll every Democratic caucus. They lead
it, plan for it, furnish its brains well as its
votes, and are followed by the Northern po
Htical aspirants with such servility that 1t has
been said, /" The Northern Democracy sneezes
"whenoyer the South takes snuff" What
ever this Congress does to break up the Army
of the United States will be charged by the
people, with perfect justice, to the Confederate
Brgaders who rule in Democratic caucus.
1t is said, moreover, that the Democratic
leaders have some hope that they can make
"vetoes odious by going into general legis-
Iadon before they adjourn. 1t happens that