New-York tribune., 1879-02-28
THE CHANCES OF AN EXTRA SESSION.
o>.p crRTA1N TO BIZ HAD II The DTNOCRATs PER-
s,sr IN THEIR EVOLUTIONARY DESIGNS

WHAT THE PRESIDENT SAYS.
rBY TFLEGRpH 10 THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON. Feb 27.-Nobody can tell with any
degree Of certainty Whether an extra session wiz
be necessary or not. An impression has preYaiicd
for two or three weeks among those
best informed as to the purposes OF the
Democrats that their demonstration against the
Federal election laws was not made with the Put-
nose Of carving it to the point Of causing tho fail
ure the Legislative Appropriation bill, but that
having placed themselves upon record and shown
IN the Democrats Of the country their disposition to
reDea these acts they would rccede al the last mo-
neut and allow the bill 10 pass. The temper shown
bv many of the leading Democrats during tie last
dav OF two arouses fear that this programme may
not after all be carried out.
Several representatives Of that party who are
looked upon as leaders have declared that under no
circumstances Will they recede from the position
thcv have taken, and that rather than allow the
Election laws 10 remain upon the statute books
they VIII take the responsibility Of an extra session
II they persist in this determination tie Legislative
Appropriation bill VIII certainly fail.
1t seems to be supposed by some that amend
,pepts 10 the rules of the House adopted within the
last two or three years. would prevent the Repu0h-
cans from fIibusteTiug by means Of dllafory mo-
tions, and that if the Democrats are able 70 pre-
..Tv- a quorum IN the House without tAe
assistance Of the Republicans, tLey can
carry through their revolutionary meas
urcs in spite Of all opposition. This is q mistake.
The long contest over the proposed amendment 10
the enforcement acts which took place IN tie
NLIIId Congress, was brought to a close 10y the
adoption by the Republicans of two new rules,
which prevented the repetition Of dNatorN nOtlons
NJ. Randall who was then the leader oI jhe Demo
cratic minority, denounced these rules 1s unjust,
and on the first day of The first session OIL TIE
NLIVth Congress specifically omitted the from
tie code of rules which he moved that the House
suould adopt. A neither of these TUic, has since
been reenacted, small minority even O Republicans
will nave il in their power to prevent any leyISa-
ton To which they may be strongly opposed. Inc
course which the Republicans VIII probably pui-ue
# they are Obliged 10 resort 10 hbuetrFlUg VIII be
first to refrain from voting until quorum consist
ing entirely of Democrats Is present III The House.
Jhen they Will resort To dIiatoTY motions, upon
which they VIII call the yeas and nays, and VIII
rrre3t tin, without cessation, II necessary, until
II o'clock on the 1th Of March. While II Is IN the
uower Of two OF three Republicans, by voting, TO
glve the House quorum, and thus 10 enable the
Democrats 70 proceed with business IT would not be
in the power OF fifty Republicans acting with the
Democrats TO -ecurc The repeal Of the Election laws
If toe remainder of the party stood SOLID against IT,
Tic President is reported o have SAID recently I'D
conversations that i'm case au extra session seems
necessary by the failure AZ any appropriation blli,
lie Viii not call il Until tie latest possible moment