Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-03-24
The Democratic Congregational Con.
ference.

4
SESSION.
At the democratic conference of the caucus
committee of the House and Senate ON Satur-
day 1t was first decided by Is to that the po-
litical legislation desired should be effected by
the Incorporation OF repeating clauses in the
appropriation bills instead OF by separate
measure. for the reason that it would save time
1t was then decided by IA to that the proposed
repeating clauses of the last session should be
modified so as to repeal only those sections
which authorize the appointment OF chief su-
peryisors and deputy marshals for elections, to-
gether with the sections comforting police
powers on the supervisors thus continuing the
authorization for the appointments of two sinner
ylsors OF different politics to serve In testi-
monial capacity at each poll as witnesses at the
count OF votes. The joint meeting then author
Ked senator's Thurman, salisbury, Bailey and
M herman; ana representatives Chalmers, Spring
er, Carllsle and Atkins to formulate provisions
IN accordance with the decision in regard to
the election laws, and also provisions for the
total repeal OF the jurors test oath and the eX-
lStlng authorization Of the presence of troops at
the polls for Incorporation In the lerislafiye
executive and judicial and the army appropri,
atlon oills together with such additional pro-
VISIONS as they may deem necessary to secure
1fee and fair elections for Representatives and
DelegateS to Congress. They were also especi-
any author1Zed to consider the propriety of
i@tadhing @ substitute for section 1922 OF the Re-
Vised Statutes, which prescribes penalties for
violations OF the election laws.
MI. Spflnger.s proposition to provide, in addi-
tiOu. eIC.ISpcdl vi tne law concerning the pres
ence OF troops at the polls, for the enactment
OF the existing English statutes OF George II on
that subject was very favorably received and
the loint-committee will probably recommend
Its adoption. It prohibits any soldier stationed
within two miles Of voting place from leaving
his quarters on an election day except to relieve
guard or to go to the polls to vote, and requires
him In the latter case to return to his quarters
immediately afterwards. The joint sub-com-
mlttee will meet at o'clock to-day, and expect
10 report to another joint meeting of the two
caucus committees tomorrow. After appoint
ing this subcommittee the Joint meeting pro-
ceeded to consider the question whether the
legislation Of the present session should be
strictly confined to the appropriation bills, in
cluding the measures above Indicated or
whether general business should not be trans
acted by either house when not engaged on an
appropriation bill. A decided majority of the
Senate caucus committee favored restriction of
the business OF the session to the appropriation
DillS and to the enactment of what is known as
the "yellow fever bill". A majority (but not a
large one) Of the House committee insisted that
the opportunities for transacting general buSi-
ness should be improved, without however pro-
longing the session after the appropriation bills
shall have been disposed of. 1t was finally
decided to report disagreement on this subject
10 joint caucus, and leave the settlement of
the question to majority of the democratic
members OF both houses. The meeting OF the
Joint caucus will probably be held next Tuesday
evening.