Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-11-01
THE COMING SESSION.
What the Democratic Majority will,
and will Not DO.

A reporter OF THE STAR had long c0nverSa-
tion with one Of the southern democratic Con-
gressmen, who spent portion Of this week in
Washington. He is as much consulted in party
matters as any member Of Congress- and his
opinions as to what the democracy will do are
entitled to weight. In the first place the re-
porter asked him If the democrats intended to
resume the political fight next session which
they carried on during the extra session? He
replied:
Ans,cer:-" My opinion is that the public ex-
pectatton of an exciting session this winter will
be disappointed. l mean so far as political ques-
tions are concerned. There will be matters of
great public interest before Congress, certainly,
but the contest over the repeal of the election
laws will notbe renewed
ttdr:-"Why not?"
Aus: Zone sufficient reason is, that the
democrats have not the power to repeal these
laws That was demonstrated by the extra ses-
sion. The President would undoubtedly veto
every bill to repeal these laws, and therefore it
is useless to waste time In any such attempt"
Sdr:-" Might they not be so modified as to
remove the evils complained Of by the demo-
Gratis? Perhaps the republicans viii consent to
some amendments"
AnS.:-''The democrats maintain that these
laws are unconstitutional and holding that view
they cannot vote for any legislation except their
repeal. Should they agree to amendments they
would thus put themselves on record as recog-
nizing the validity of the laws. No; my opinion
Is the laws Will stand as they are until they are
repealed or decided unconstitutional by the
courts. The question of their cOnstftuttonality
is now before the supreme Court, and that is
ahother ah1e t reason as why legislation upon them
ttar:-"Wtll not the result Of recent elections
In the north have the effect OF moderating dem
Ocrat1c action In COngresS?"
AnS.:-"Undoubtedly. But we are not willing
TO admit that the results Of these elections indi
cate that the northern people sustain the Daven-
f port e election @ Ia laws That question was buried
doubt that large majority of the northern peo-
pie would vote to repeal those odious election
laws, and such sentiment could have been de-
monstrated If the democrats in the extra session
had not given the shrewd republican leaders an
opportunity to revive sectional questions. That
was Just what Garfield, Blaine, Conkling and
the other republican leaders wanted. Had the
ing to the war could have been brought i'm
adr:-"What was the proper cOurse?"
4nS-"It Is too late now to criticiSe, but I
viii say this much In the first place nearly all
the southern Congressman were opposed to the
extra session and after it met, opposed to put
yielded finally to the northern leaders, but
many of us agreed with Mr.. Bayard that 1t was
an unwise course. 1t was urged in caucus that
we pass separate bills, repeating the laws COM
plained of and send them to the President; then,
II he vetoed them, that we pass the appropria-
ton bills and go home, leaving the people to de-
overruled by bare majority of the caucus,
through the influence of northern leaders of the
party. There was never In any caucus single
word uttered that could be construed into a
threat of withholding supplies from the gov
ernment All that was said on that subject was
uttered by members In their speeches upon the
oeT but the party was held responsible for
S"'dr:-":aa Anu you believe the party will be
moderate during the coming session."
Ans.:-..It will not do anything that will give
tha fP"sfans Paaeons e s @ se els f N See 6e
an appropriation to pay the fees Of United States
marsLals. That bill, you remember, failed to
pass at att the extra session. We will pass defici-
is sent in. The republicans Will, no doubt con-
c0ct numerous plans to force partisan and sec
ttonal discussions, but they win be permitted to
do all the discussing themselves Senator Ed
munds will, in all probability, have some resolu-
tions in regard to the constitutional amend
ments, but we will vote upon them without dis
sar:."will the tariff question be brought
forward ~
Ans.::--'1 hope so and believe it will. The
to the country and the democratic party to bring
In bill for just and proper revision OF the
tariff
ing before the House, restricting the transfer of
causes from State to Federal courts?"
Ans.:-That will undoubtedly be pressed for
passage and the republicans will seek to make
party capital out OF 1t, but they cannot do it.
They Will repeat their argument Of the last seS-
sion. that the democrats desire the passage OF
the South, but there are too many people Of the
North interested in the measure for them to
make capital by opposing it. In fact, the bill
is of very little interest to the South. 1t was
introduced by western member, and it Is the
people OF that section who want the law. Since
the panic of 1873 the farmers of the West have
nearly all been compelled to borrow money. Al
most every little village throughout the
West has had an agency for eastern capitalists,
and millions of dollars have been loaned
to farmers AS a general thing mortgages upon
farms were given to secure these loans, and the
notes are falling due. Frequently questions Of
dispute arise, and the matter is carried into
court; The present law permits nonresident
to take his causes before the U. s. courts, and
the consequence is that all the cases growing
out of these loans, and nearly all insurance
cases are taken from state to federal courts. The
question OF dispute at his county seat is forced
to go fifty or hundred miles, or even more to
attend the U. S. court. In some cases he is not
o 9fe e c an ana I'm In many
the expenditure required to defend it. The
effect of this is that men submit to imposi-
uons rather than enter into litigation for their
rights. It is as Eve said, the people of the west
and northwest who are most interested in this
bill and, therefore, no party capital can be
made by opposing it."
.&ar:-eIs it probable that the attempt to re-
move Senator Bayard from the chairmanship of
the finance committee will be renewed7"
Ans:-" Oh; no. That was settled at the eX-
IRA session. Events since that time have de-
monstrated the wisdom of Bayards financial
principles, and made him stronger than ever
with his party. Congress will go Slow on f1nan-
clal legislation this winter, though it is probable
something in relation to the banking laws may
be attempted. While good many democrats
are in favor of national banks, we do not believe
they ought to have all the banking privileges.
In the south we would be better off with state
banks"
THE NATIONAL BANK CIRCULATION outstanding
is as follows: Currency notes, $685. 754 2ss; gold
notes, 81 a., ,120; total; $685., POI AS.
THE COINAGE executed during october was as
follows: 1888 double eagles, $4,000 eagles,