The Portland daily press., 1879-05-15
The Scene in the House.
HOW THE MESSAGE WAS RECEIVED
Anger and Confusion of the Democrats.

Before the Doorkeeper, General Field, had
reached the Speakers table with the document
voices were heard in various parts of the
House crying, "Read it." ''Read it." Mr..
Dibrell and the Democrats who are so anxious
to tax the incomes of enterprising Northern
business men in order that the tax upon
Southern whiskey and tobacco may be reduced
or repealed, were eager for a vote upon their
bill. In response to their call for the regular
order" the Speaker directed the Clerk to call
the roll. This proceeding occupied about half
an hour. When it was finished there was a
struggle for the floor by several members who
desired recognition, all of whom were taken off
their feet by the Speaker, who broke the seal
of the official envelope and handing the mes
sage to one of the reading clerks said that he
presented to the House a communication from
the President of the United States. 1t required
no effort on the part of the Speaker to bring
the House to order.
The first few paragraphs of the message
produced very marked and remarkable effect
upon the Democrats of the House. When the
declaration was reached that any military in
reference at the polls is contrary to the spirit
ofsour institutions and would tend to destroy
the freedom of elections, many members of the
majority joined in contemptuous laughter,
while the Republicans applauded the senti-
ment very loudly. When he came to the analy
sis of the bill, and showed what it would really
accomplish if it should become law, the
Democrats became sober, and some of them
showed considerable anger as with glowing
faces they left their seats and went to the
cloak-roomS.
Every feature of the message was satisfacto-
ry to the Republicans, as every one could see
from their countenances, even if they had not
repeatedly broken out into applause. No COM
munication from a President in years has been
received by his party friends in Congress with
such enthusiastic signs of approval.
Mr.. Deering, of Iowa, was entitled to the
floor to move a suspension OF the rules, and
he presented the Army Appropriation bill as
passed by the House of Representatives during
the present session. except that the sixth sec
ton was omitted. As soon as the title was
read Mr. Knott moved that the House adjourn
and the ayes and nays were taken upon the
question. The Democrats were not ready to
go upon the record on this question until they
could have time to hold caucus and decide
what policy they would pursue. 1t was indeed,
rather awkward for them to be forced to vote
against appropriating money for the support of
the army when it had just been demonstrated
to them by the Presidents veto message that
the bill could not become law if it carried
political riders. So unexpected was the in
PRODUCTION of this bill, and so many of the
Democrats had gone to "brace up" after listen
ing to the message, that the Republicans, with
few Democrats who voted with them, made
majority.
There is great rejoicing among the Republi-
cans in Congress. A great victory in an cleo
ton would not have given more universal
satisfaction than the events of Monday. 1t
comes with unexpected force to sustain the
Republicans in the position they had taken,
and to confound the Democrats, who had
hoped for the approval of this bill, which they
were about ready to accept as the basis of
compromise. The Republicans, without ex-
ception, stalwarts and liberals-if it is proper
any longer to make such division.-are un-
stinted in their praise of the message.
When the Democrats first treported their mil
itary interference bill, some of the Republicans
hesitated, and expressed the fear that unless it
were accepted the Democrats would make the
Republicans appear to be sustaining military
interference to control elections. The first par
agraphs of the Presidents message make that
impossible, and meet the only objections to q
veto of the bill that have been raised by any
Republicans. After the veto of the Army bill
leading Democrats said in public and in pri-
vate that they meant to make President Hayes
put himself squarely ON the record as either i'll
favor of or opposed to the use of troops at the
polls. He had lodged that question, they said,
in his message on the Army bill, but he would
not have a chance to dodge it again. Well,
the President has met the Democrats ON this
very question, and has done it in such way as
to show that he is not afraid of it.
Another Republican said that the reState-
ment of the Presidents position in regard to
using troops at the polls-that the present
laws do not authorize, and further, that they
will not be used in any event for purposes of
interference by this Administration-leaves
the Democrats little ground upon which to rest
their demand for the present measure of legis-
lation.
The Republican party was never more solid
in Washington at any time during the war.
Some of those who had supposed that the
President would sign the pending bill were
prepared to renew some of the old opposition
of the early days of the Administration. This
has all passed away, and the message, by its
strength, clearness and uncompromising tone,
has elected unstinted praise from those who
before were ready to criticise. For the rest
of the contest all feel confident as to what the
Presidents course will be. The Legislative
bill, if presented with the sections repeating
and amending the election law, will certainly
be vetoed. Ii these sections are then presented
in separate form they will again be vetoed. The
repeal of the test-oath for jurors is exciting
very little attention among Republicans, and
whether signed or not, cannot raise any issue
between the President and his party.
While the Republicans are thus united, the
Democrats are divided and undecided as to the
course they ought to pursue. The more con-
seryative of them, convinced that they are
beaten, and that further attempts to pass their
political measures will be disastrous, will prob
ably advise that the fight be given up, that
temporary appropriations be made and an ear
ly adjournment secured.