The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1879-03-21
WHAT WILL DEMOCRATS DO?
TWO DECIDED OPINIONS CONCERNIN @
THE EXTRA SESSION.
Speaker Randall DESTROYS OF EnrIy 4 diourn-
ment Amer Passing the Appropriation
Bills-Others Favor General Legislation.

BiIIs-Others Favor General Legislation.
WASHINGTON, March 2O.-There were two
elements in the Democratic caucus to-day
which were interested in preparing the way for
general legislation. the men who arc bitterly
hostile to Randall. and the mon who want to
tinker at the finances and promote jobbery.
There are some Democratic members who,
while they are hard money advocates and
anti t-subsldy. are nevertheless, 80 vindictive
toward Randall that they favored the
immediate formation OF the standing commit
tees simply because they thought that this
would most emharrass the Speaker. In this
they reckon without their host yet their mo-
tive Is tho same. Some OF the very men who
supported Randall because they could not well
avoid doing 30. favor general legislation now.
Thus the combination was strong enough to
carry its point
The caucus organized by elcctng Mr.. House
OF Tennessee Chairman. and MIR. Covert OF New
York and Mr.. Mills OF Texas. Secretaries. Mr..
Cymcr. who had served the customary term us
Chairman. endcavored to withdraw his
name, but he received q Ilarge num-
Der OF votes. AS he Is from tho same
State as the Speaker OF tho House II
was deemed best that n gentleman from another
section OF the country should be chosen Chair
Mr.. Wood explained the object for which
the caucus had been called, namely. to de-
the extra session. He favored the re. re-
enactment OF the Legislative. Executive. and
Judicial Appropriation bill exactly as they
passed the House in the last session of Con-
gross. and opposed the transaction Of any
other business at the special session. flo np-
pcalod TO the Democrats OF the House TO stand
frm in support Of the repeal OF the laws au-
thorzlng the appointment OF supervisors OF
ELECTIONS and deputy marshals.
MIR. SprinRer disagreed with Mr. Woods
views The Illinois member did not believe
that the Democratic party would be justified by
the country in withholding supplies for the
maintenance of tho Government in order TO
,sS0mpsl ,S pi ihe Executive 70 sign a bill repeating
q bill repeating 80 much OF the election
laws as provide for the appointment Of chief
supervisors and deputy marshals. Should this
embodied IN an appropriation bill. and the
party would be Just He'd in withholding supplies
until the bill should be approved
Mr.. Reagan made a long speech arguing that
Congress at the special session should not
conilne Itself 70 the passage Of the two
country needs rolicf that obnoxious laws
passed in the eighteen years in which
tho Republican party has held unbridled power
should be repealed. and that wise measures of
legislation. Intended 10 IN from the shoulders
Of the people the burdens OF msgovernmont
SHOULD be pnssed rs speedily as possible.
Mr.. Bright OF Tennessee also spoke IN favor
present session. Ho believed that the Demo-
Gratlc party has a great mission 70 full
Ill, that the people are looking TO tho
supremacy in both Houses OF Congress
II was its duty 10 move ahcad in the accomplish.
ment OF its mission. lie regretted that there
was any disposition on the part OF members TO
lay down IN tho trenches as soon rs tho weapon
OF war had been placed In their hands
speaker Randall favored conservative course
OF action. and recommended that the caucus.
instead of deciding the quest on OF the policy of
Congress on hand. should appoint committee
TO confer with the Senate caucus committee Of
nine on the order OF business. and report the
results OF the conference ~ a future caucus OF
Senators and members.
Alexander II. Stephens made n speech which
created sensation in the caucus. He favored
general legislation. and plenty OF 1t. at the extra
session. He wanted Congress to pass bill au-
th,oriIing thc immediate issue Of t5O0. 900. 9OQ
not tell the caucus how lie proposed TO redeem
them.
restricted legislation at the present session Of
Congress. Tho tone oil discussion in tho caucus
plainly Indicated that "A very lnrge majority OF
the members favor the transaction OF
general Legislation There will be found
large number OF members anxious 10 under
take new financial legislation. Many OF them
favor tho imposition Of tax on incomes. Tho
Forty-siXth Congress is brought face to face
with IN impending deficit in the revenues Of
tho county. Means must must DO devised TO
meet ile deficiency. and majority OF tho ma
!lrliy " tina House proposes 70 enter upon this
WOss Immediately,
A resolution offered by Mr.. Chalmers. re-
ruestlng the Speaker TO organize the commit
tees OF the House rs speedily as possible was
adopted. The caucus also passed resolution
offered by Mr.. Carlisle directing the Chairman
TO appoint committee OF eleven Senators to
confer with the Senate committee OF nine upon
the order Of business
The jont committee is to report to n joint
caucus OF Democratic Senators and Represcn-
tativcs
Mr.. Randall says tonight that notwithstand-
ing the tone OF the caucus this afternoon Con-
gress Will be ready TO adjourn in twenty days.