New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-11
TIE DEMOCRATS N CAUCUS.


TIE DEMOCRATS N CAUCUS.
CAMPAIGN TO BE ENTERED UPON AGAINST TIE
TEsr OATH HE FErsFNT UNITED slAiEsJIEi
LAW. AND SUPERVISION or ELECTIONS.
icy TELEGRAPH TO IHE TIdBuEEl
v,eu<crov. Feb. 1O.-Ihe Democrats Of Con-
rrcss held an important caucus at the zap
itol this evening for the purpose Of considering
what political legislation if any. should he passed
during the present session Of Congress. Mt slack
burn. of Kentucky, presided, aud nearly two hours
were spent in the discussion OF rule to determine
what should be the character Of the subjects 10
10 considered. portion Of those present
led by Mr.. Reagan and NJ. NiiiS OF
Texas, desired that the Democrats III Con-
gross should adopt platform OF pnnclPI's
mon which the party might 50 before the people
This was opposed by many, notably by Senator
Herman, who reminded his party friends that
differences Of opinion exist among Demo-
Gratis and that nothing is TO be gained ny
insisting that all shall accept any particular SCI OF
ideas. The outcome Of this long discussion was .
resolution declaring that the caucus should dear
ONLY with matters of legislation. Mr.. Reagan ana
Mr.. Mills were not allowed to present the platform
which they seemed to have prepared.
The first proposition which was presented TO the
caucus ion action was the repeal or sections so ana
s21 Of the Revised Statutes providing that jurors
ironclal oath. On this resolution there were many
spcechcs but rences Of opinion were disclosed
L wa. said with truth hat these two sections have
uoryht f. he in the Revised Statutes, having once
been rcpealed by a Republican Congress, and
having found their way into the present Ia"
either by mistake OF by fraud. 4 resolution
iustructing the judiciary Committee Of the House
10 report an amendment 10 tho Legislative, EAeei-
tive and Judicial Appropriation bill repeating
these two sections, was agreed to unanimously.
Nj Thurman then offered resolution tnat the
Judiciary Committee OF the House also be instructed
10 report an amendment 10 scctIonSoO Of tic Re-
vsed Statutes providing for the drawing Of Jurors
This section declares that jurors shall be
selected in the United states Courts according 10
the laws and usages relating TO Jurors in the STATE
Courts where ;he United States Courts ore held
Nj Thurman's amendment provides that juIies in
United States Courts shall hereafter be drawn by
n clerk and q commissioner 10 be appointed by the
presiding Judge the cOmmission2rnot % he nom
her Of the same political party TO which the cieIk of
the court belongs ID also directs that not less than
three hundred names shall be placed in the jury
box.
T'1on this amendment a long and very animated
discussion eusued. Senator Thurman spoke ably III
support of ms resolution. and said that IN his "pln-
ion the Democrats ought to insist upon tins change
hold tie necessary means for tTanslctng
The public business until such IN amendment
shouId become part Of the law of the Land. For
his part he was willing 10 allow the wheels Of Tie
Government to stop rather than that the Demo
cra,s should fail in thcir ATTEMPT to enact this
change.
Mr.. Eustis made n speech in which he
described the expressions to which he said
the Southern people are subjected through the
operations of the United States Courts. II was de
clqrcd by him and Others that the jurles rs now
drawn are composed almost exclusively cf hepuhi-
cans and that it is impossible for the people OF the
South longer to endure the expressions 20 which
they have been subjected.
Mr. Beck, Mr.. Blackburn and others made
speeches supporting Mr. Thurman, resolution.
Mr.. Bsyard made a notable speech on this
resolution. He warned the Democrats that
it would be unwise for them to take
any steps that would look like revolution, and
such an amendment as Nh Thurman proposed to
Section 500 Of the Revised Statutes seemed to him
10 be open To that objection. lie reminded his
friends that The South is already solid on the side O!
the Democrats, and that the dcbataple ground in
this country Is the North. II the Democracy hopes
TO win i'm the future he said, that party must 80
shape lis legislation and frame its platforms Is TO
make them accord with public sentiment IN thc
North.
Senators Hi and Herman made speeches IN which
Ucy supported the position taken 10y Nr. BISard'
When the vote was taken Senator Humans
resolution was carried by an overwhelming ma
ority, and no division was asked for.
NJ. Southland then introduced 4 resolution to re-
peal the Federal election laws under which United
States Supervisor, and maTshals appointed, and
j. made "a speech in support of hi~ resolution. BY
TINS time il was very late and ayote was taken on
Mn >outhard', resolution without further debate |
ami % was adopted without division
Al Ci these amendments ale 10 be reported ny the
Committee on the Judiciary. and moved rs amend !
llcHt~ To the Legislative Executive, and Judicial
Appropriation bill; and III order to make them |
german 10 IL certain provisions winch usually form
aput of the Suudrv civil Appropriation hl viii |
lAl~ wear be taken rom THAT measure ana he put /
INTO the legislative bill. The Democrats select the |
Legislative bhl rather than the Sandy civil bill /
upon which 90 carry through those measures Tor /
)ca'ou- stated in debate tonight. The SundY /
'Nu bill only provides foT certain public works. |
and u II ,Aould fail II would throw out of /.
employment great number Of men, who |
would a. once attribute tins loss Of work to the |
irMocratc party and any political advantage 10 /
sNhcd6 \ the attempt 10 pass Tins Kind OF ceis- |
hu"n womb b- more than ueutraliIed by tho Dis |
'Hig winch would certainly result On the other
Manu- tie l.egl>'auNt bill is absolutely necessary /
:" me Transaction "f the business of the Govern /
az once.
Ai;. RANDALL ON An EXTRA SESSION. !
by TuEGR4ru 10 IHE TnEvNrI
WASHINGTON, Fen. 1O-Spcakcr Randall said TO- !