The news and herald. (Winnsboro, S.C.) 1877-1900, 1879-03-25
Preparing a Compromise.

There isn't near as much sulphur
and birthstone in the Congressiona
atmosphere as was reported last week
The members of both parties who
have been swallowing each other
whole at long taw, now that they are
pinned together in the four walls OF
the National Capitol, are becoming
much more mild and conciliatory
The thinking and conservative Con-
grcssmen arc patching up compro-
mise. The Democrats are to insist
upon the repeal Of the test oath and
the dcputy-marshal act, and press the
provision to prevent the use Of the
army at the polls; but will consent to
allow the appointment Of supervisors
under some restrictions. 1t is thought
that the President will meet the
Democrats half way, and thus avoid
the deadlock with it's serious conse-
Quonecs. Partisans on either side
will howl, Of course, but the masses
who arc not as much interested in the
triumph Of party as in the material
welfare Of the United States will ap-
prove.
According to the old Democratic
theory Of States rights, the Federal
government should in no way inter-
fere with State elections, and theorcti-
cally the supervisors act is as obnoxi-
ous to the constitution as any Of the
others. But as it was enacted ostcnSi-
bly, to secure fair elections, and as the
Republicans charge that the Demo-
Gratis carry the South only by fraud
at the polls, the motive for abolishing
the supervisors Is sure TO Ge misycp-
resented. The measure nAy well bs
postponed to more c.,aTen:e.s ses-
son, especially If the 2aaa ;,2:.,=...-e..9 . 9,
ensures the passage % th.: a.t.,:r A.:ys
much more important las:hna,ea C.
the other hand II The D':ag.G.,.vs.le .!!s;.er
upon all the prolost:'t 9sS3YG.;s2 l..&r
may get none a. ell. TiY ai.!Ii lia.
wheels Of goveruu4:ui aG. .r.nIt.
desperate contest world G,s Ja,a.r
atonemcnt for the ios. Ds sae 1..l.
measures, as 1t il By no Tne2a: .,*rvsi.:
that deadlock will help ,:s D.n;.,
Gratis. People who are M, pa.7!saa,
argue very pausibly, if not sDnn9!Y,
that while the House Of Rcpreseh,a-
tivcs can throttle the governmen, b,
Its prerogative of making appropria
tions, 1t Is not warranted in excrci.inc
this power except in extreme cases
No such emergency exists at present
and threats are revolutionary. Two
thirds of both houses are required tt
overcome veto, yet bare majority
by tacking what measures they please
on an appropriation bill, virtually
override veto by preventing it. !
is also asserted that the course Of th'
House. Is dictated by cx-Confcdcratc
and Is Of o piece with tho old rebel
lion. .l
While Democrats may dissent from
these views no thinker can fail to per
ceivc their force with the Northern
independent voter, upon whose YER
dict rests tho next Presidency. .Th
party should therefore ponder wei
what reforms are so urgent as t.
warrant this extra-logislative action
The supervisors matter can scarcely b
rung In undcr this head. The other
can, and they should be insisted upo
at all hazards, deadlock or no dead
look.
In the heat Of excitement we wer
inclined to believe that decide
stand should be mado on all points
But reflection, and careful review
the arguments Of leading independer
Journals, lead us to favor the Pre-