Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-06-24
A DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
Discuss the Last Veto In Caucus
Proposition to Adjourn with
out Passing an ApDrOpria-
tiOn Bill Promptly
Voted Down.
The Matter to be Submitted to Advisory
Committees from the Democratic
Members Of Both Houses, who
are to Act To-Day with
out Specific Instruc-
tIOns-Etc.

WASHINGTON, June %. - The Demo-
cratic members of the senate assembled
in caucus Immediately after the adj
journment of that body this afternoon and
remained in consultation about three hours.
The purpose of the conference was to decide
upon a line of policy concerning to-day's
veto of the judicial expense appropriation
bill and collateral question OF adjournment.
Senator Vest was the first speaker.
He took the ground that the issue
presented by the last veto message
could properly be met by Democratic
prompt adjournment of both houses. The
dominant party had done their best to pro-
vide for the needs of the public service; had
offered the President all the necessary appro-
priations for judicial expenses upon fair
terms. and were under no obligation to do
anything more. Senator Wallace subse-
quently delivered an earnest speech, taking
the same view as Senator Vest, and support
ing the resolution offered by the latter In favor
of the immediate termination of the present
session, without making any further attempt
to provide for the court expenses before the
regular session next winter. Senators Bay
ard, II Donald, Thurman and Hill opposed
this proposition with great emphasis, and N
the course of their speeches-all OF which
were of considerable length-insisted that
such a course would be alike unwise and I'M
warranted. They agreed with the speakers on
3
bill was based upon strained objection to
the existing law, which prohibits contracts IN
advance of appropriations, being, In sub
stance, prohibition against recurring La
bilitles for purposes not provided Tor by the
bill, but they pointed out that for this very
reason the Democrats should not strenuously
adhere to clause which the President de-
clared obnoxious to his convictions of duty,
while they themselves did not consider it ma
terial. They also argued that it would be
highly unwise to throw away the
substantial benefits which would inure
to the country from the final enact
ment of those sections of this bill which
provide for the important amendment of the
jury laws and for the total abolition of the
Jurors test-oath. To these sections the Presi-
dent had made no objection, although the
Republicans of both houses had sohdly OPP
| posed them; and 1t was also to be borne in
| mind, said these senators, that the President,
| while getoing the present bill on account of
only one OF its provisions, had at the same
| time taken a position at variance with the
| argument of an influential portion of his own
party, by approving the army bill. Senators
| Butler, Maxey, Morgan, Pendleton, Eaton,
Beck and Hampton all made brief
remarks In opposition to the idea
| Of adjourning without further efforts
to provide the necessary appropriations.
| Several of the speakers, including Senators
Bayard, Thurman, Hill, Butler and Hamp-
ton, took ground in the broadest possible
language that an adjournment of congress,
without providing for the support of every
branch of the public service, would be utter
/ ly upjustifable and indefensibTe. 1t was,
however, agreed on all hands that no money
should be appropriated for the payment OF
deputy marshals of elections. At the close
of the discussion, Senator Vests resolu-
| ton in favor of the adjournment of
congress without passing another APP
propriationl bill was rejecteda by an
overwhelming majority, having received
only three or four votes. a resolution was
then adopted, by vote of twenty against
seven, directing the caucus advisory COM
mlttee, In conjunction with the advisory
committee of the house caucus, to prepare
bill for passage through congress- t8sore ad
| lournment IN. such terms as will obViate the
objection of the President and secure its en-
actment into law. The foregoing is not
given as the exact language of the resolution,
but enooaies It's pQrporf and meaning. No
specific instructions were given to the COM
mittee; but it is inferred that the clause of
the second section upon which the President
based his veto will be entirely stricken out,
and it is probable, also, that the items of APP
preparation contained in the first section will
be made still more SPECIFIC in their details.
The two advisory committees will hold
Joint meeting Tomorrow