New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-05-14
NO CAUCUS YET CALLED.

Tur DEMOCRATS STUDYING HOW To GO BEFORE
TIE COUNTRY on THE PRESENT IssUE-AN AD-
DRESS TALKED OF--wHAT CHALMERS SAYS.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.I
WASHINGTON, May 13.-The Democrats are wait
,rr for something to turn up They are greatly
puzz'sd over the situation. The problem which
tbey are trying to solve is to find a way in which
tbey can put the pending contest before the people
oso main issue in the Fall campaigns. Very few
Of them seem to think that to meet as they did,
threatening to withhold supplies unless the Prcsi-
dent should sign their political bills, and TO repeat
these threats when the bills were sent to the
President, and then to yield everything, pass both
of the appropriation bills and 20 home would put
very clear issue before the people.
The plan which is most talked about for saving
the remnant of their honor is to pass the Legislative
bill and to allow the Army bill TO fail Most OF the
Democrats seem ready to admit that to refuse to
pass the Legislative bill, which would suspend all
governmental salaries in every part of the country
and cripple the public service for every community,
would raise an issue for the campaign, but not
exactly the kind of an issue they are now looking
for But they think they can risk their plan on the
Army bill and not only that but that they can save
appearances by taking a firm stand IN that matter,
and can thus raise the issue of mill
tary interference at the polls This part OF
the plan however, received bad blow, as the mod
crate Democrats admit in both ofthe veto messages,
and especially in the last one, where the President
not only shows for second time that troops cannot
he used at the polls the laws now stand but that
he will sign a bill which does not more than prohibit
their presence at the polls These utteTances OF the
President, as many admit, deprive the contemplated
Democratic issue of several of its most important
features.
There is very general desire to defer further
caucussing until the Legislative bill has been re-
turned by the President The Committee of Safety
may hold some sessions and discuss the situation.
but il IL probable that the Democratic party in Con-
gress will not be called together until after that
event has happened. 1t will be possible for the eX-
IRENE element of the Democracy, which is now very
loud in its talk to bring about House caucus within
day or two, but it now looks as if the BOuTbons
would restrain themselves and allow the moderate
managers to put the remainder of the play upon the
boards.
The House Judiciary Committee in the meantime
will busy itself preparing a reply to the veto mes
sage and for tins purpose the message was formally
referred to this committee to-day. The aim VIII be
TO use this reply as a campaign document. There is
some talk of finally presenting to the people the
whole subject involved in the political legislation
the Democrats have attempted in an address signed
by the members OF the majority in each house.
Many believe that by means of such paper the
Democrats in Congress can present issue for the
campaign.
General Chalmers, of Mississippi, who is chair
man the House branch of the Joint Caucus Com
mittee. said IN conversation this evening that the
Democrats are we'll pleased with the present situ-
alton. They have been, said he, rather anxious for
party reasons that the President should veto the
Army bin and the Military Interference bill, but
have been fearful that he would not On being
asked whether he thought the country could be
made TO understand the issue he stated IT, he SAID
that he m ght be mistaken to the people of the
North, hut he was sure that the Democracy
would be sustained in its present position
by the Southern people. He had been somewhat
surprised at the determined attitude lately as
sumcd by some of the Republicans in regard 10 the
disputed questions, and had wondered whether it
was caused by expressions of a more radical sent-
ment among their constituents. Regarding the
plans of the Democrats with respect to the pending
political measures, General Chalmers said that so
f3r as he knew no change of programme Is talked
Of. They would 90 on and pass the Legislative bill
(which he thinks Will be completed tins week
and send il to the President expecting 1t
to be vetoed. The Army bill he thinks
viii not be taken up until the Legislative
bin is finally disposed of by becoming
law in some form, and so far as his personal views
Gre concern cd, he is not IN favor OF passing any
ARMY bill at tins session, and this. he says, Is the
feeling Of a majority Of the Democrats.
No caucus has yet been called, and no meeting OF
tbt Caucus Committee has been held TO consider
tho veto OF the Military Interference bill.