New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-02-20

A long STSUGGLE AHEAD-rHE RrPUBLICANs RE
SOLVED 70 DEFEND The FREEDOM or THE
BALLOT TO THE LAsr-rHE REVOLUTIoNIsIS
PLEDGED To DESTROY IT.
iBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUSEl
WASHINGTON. Feb. 19-What promises 70 be
LONG and weary struggle began in the House this
morning when that body went into Committee OF
the Whole on the Legislative Appropriation bill.
The CHAIRMAN, Mr. Black burn, OverrUlcd the
points 90 order made by the Republicans AGAINST
the amendments repeating the test oath OF jurors,
aid the law providing for supervisors aud deputy
marshals Of Federal elections
In the debate that ensued on tbe repeal OF the
test oath for which a number Of Republicans after
ward voted. Mr. Elan, of Louisiana, SAID that NJ.
Conger did not seem 10 know that the war between
he States iho would not call it a rcbolHonj was
over; and he went on to draw a picture Of the
sad scene" Of oppression now being enacted IN
New-OrleaBs whore hundreds Of the best citizens
have he said beou indicted ana dragged before tie
United States Court for violation of the election
lava He assured the country that there could be
no reconciliation" while such sectional laws
should remain on the statute books and be enforced.
In tue course of tho debate Mr.. Kimmel. Of
MARYLAND. called attention TO " dlSGraceiul
scene now being enacted In Baltimore, whore, for
simply violating laws of the United States many
Of his constituents are being indicted and punished.
r..
oppressed repcaters Of the City Of New-iorS,
who have been vindictiyely pursued by Federal
officials.
Nj Aiken, of South Carolina, tod what q rosy
condition Of affairs exists in his state, where all
that the white people want IS TO be let alone with
the colored man. aud they will take measures to
elevate him.
Nobody appeared in behalf Of Mr.. Hull the pres
ent member-elect from Florida, who, with num-
Der Of his constituents Is under indictment.
Mr.. Frye, of Maine, made a strong speech. IN
which be described the frauds practised III the City
Of New-YOrk in 1868, and showed how they have
been measurably defeated since that time, under
the operation OF the election laws, the admnistra-
ton Of which had been so just 20 oxtort praise
from q Democratic committee Of the House two
years ago.
When Mr.. Garfield rose 10 speak, conversation on
the floor and IN the crowded galleries Immediately
ceased and the General was listened 10 with great
attention. ripple of excitement was caused By
hls assertion that not only the repeal Of these
laws being attempted in obedience 70 the behest OF
party caucus but the Chairman (Mr. Blackburn
was connelled as the member Of party to register
the commands of the caucus in ruling on points Of
order. The House." BE- said, " has ceased to be
deliberative body and has been turned into a great
electioneerng machine for 1850 Mr.. Garfield
quoted Horace Greeleys letter Mr. TIlden on the
election frauds OF SOS, and added If that docs
not sound Ike prophecy in Wow of what has be-
fallen the author and fnisher Of those frauds, do
not know what prophecy is.'
Mr. Blackburn took the floor to find out what Mr..
Garfield meant and succeeded. and the matter
passed without the rumpus which a good many OF
the Southern members evidently hoped for and ex-
pe,ted. Mr.. Blackburns attemp. TO be dramatic
failed but he succeeded in denying that the eau
=,
anything about the amendments before they were
offered
The vote on the repeal Of the test oathwa 127 10
So vote on the sections relating TO supervisors
and marShals was not reached; but on an amend
ment offered By Mr.. Hale just before adjournment
making the use of tissue ballots felony, the vote
stood 10 to 129, and this indicates about the rela
tive strength Of the two parties
In the debate today MesNrs Garfield and y ale on
the Republican side, and Me->rs. Heuklc aUd
Wood ami others for the Democrats, ndlcattd that
there Is a determination in both parties 10 adhere
~ their respective positions. \ prominent bono
cratic member Of tie House said tins evening that
Lc doubted vhothor The Democrats would hOlo TO-
geheI lon. in favor Of the amendment. .
After the committee rose this afternoon Nj
Atkins chairman of the Committee ON Ap0ro0rle-
lions moved that arece>e be taken until this even
Ing, bur the regular order was demanded, duu lew
inmates aft,-VJrd the Ii use adjourned.
1t Is learned that = compact Ia, been entered
into 10y from forty TO liftY of tbe House Democrats
10 stand together 70 repeal the election laws or
suffer he bill TO faii. Ii is believed that fifty
democrats would be able 20 DO this by oh-trucim E
business, even If tie remainder Of thor party
should decline 10 enter the conspiracy. IL'.c VINO
ought to know say that such a course has been
decided upon By this little band OF rcyouuoulst..
Who have O. .crmmed that the Federal election
Laws must not be permitted % remain on the
statute books during tie California election ~
September.
California IS an objective point for both parties.
n the Presidential election BE- thrown into the
House Of Representatives the votes which viii de-
iermiuc a.. election Of d PRESIDENT viii be those
from California and that of tie Rev. Mr. -" Ii
Naiyr, of Indiana n Grrcub3ckeT Of Republican
aulecedents and Democratic affiliations, whose
vote is tie balance Of power III the Indiana dcl"sa-
non l. is for tins reason that the more active
!'emocTatlC managers have determined that ALL
i9rna shall be carried at all hazards and they
lhlIk that one ncC-se iTy means 70 that end j. the
REPEAL OF the election law before the September
election.
DIR. ATKINS INDIFFERENT.
HE bUATJRY ACIION OF HIS PAITI Di>COACEEis