The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1879-03-25
Prospects Of a Deadlock Rap
idly Increasing.
EXTREMISTS CONTROLLING BOTH PARTIES.
Attitude of the President as Stated
by His Friends.
Reluctant Surrender Of Patronage by Re-
publican Senators.
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, March "a, 1879.
ATTITUDE OF THE TWO PARTIES IN CONGRESS
ON THE FEDERAL ELECTION LAWS.
Tho condition OF parties regarding the proposed
political legislation stands thus this evening"
On the democratic side the subcommittee of tho
Caucus Committee held its final session to.
to the main committee. and this, which
meets tomorrow. will undoubtedly agree
to report this to the joint be held tomor-
row evening. This plan ISL
First-To tack the political legislation on to the
appropriation bills.
Ssco'd-To abolish the deputy marshals for cleo
Third-To abolish the chief supervisors and make
the local supervisors report to the courts.
Fourth-To mako the supervisors appointed by the
Court.
Fifh-To secure them in the fullest manner the
right to witness tho registration and election at every
stage and in every detail.
Sirth-But to deprive them Of the power to chal-
lenge votes and to canvass the ballots which the
present law gives them.
Sections 2016 and 2017 OF tho Revised Statutes are
therefore, to stand sections 2O20 to 2026 are to be
repealed and In 20S and 209 those parts which give
the supervisors power to challenge and to canvass
are to be struck out Tho supervisors in every
case to be voters in the precincts at which thoy
and they to witness all the proceedings and
to make their report to the courts.
Those who wished to place this legislation on the
appropriation bills gave their that In no
other way the House get this kind of legislation up
under tho rules If the republicans choose to oppose
It, because 1t would require two-thirds vote any
day except on Mondays. Hence thcy say they
want to do this to avoid delay. Also that in
their opinion, II the houses should pass
these measures in separate bills and the Presi-
dent should veto these. then to put them
tho appropriation bills would have tho ctr Of an
attempt to coerce tho President. These arguments
wore opposed in the committee by others. but those
who he'd determined to tack tho political measures
on the appropriation bills prevailed and win prob
ably prevail in tho whole committee.
On the republican side theye Is q strong determine
ton to resist all attempts to modify or decrease the
power Of tho supervisors or to abolish tho deputy
marshals. Congress. they soy. has just ss much
power national elections the State Legisla-
lures have over State elections. Tho Springer BILL
printed IN the HxnALD on the 10Th. which in SUBJ
stance contains what has been agreed on
by the committee. tho republicans say
emasculates the election laws and leaves only the
mockery Of form without substance, and they
will consent to no change amendment which
would mako them less effective than they now arc
This is the language used on tho subject by promi
nent republicans who will have influence to carry
their party with them. and at private consultation
Of such men. held tonight this was tho unani
nous determination. The proposition to tack the
political measures on the appropriation bills was
declared revolutionary. attempting to the
Executive by making the support of the government
dependent on his approval Of legislation he may be
opposed to.
The President. of course. says nothing Of his pur-
pose opinions in regard to the proposed legisa-
ton. He doubtless. however. advises with his
friends and these assert that no doea not
think 1t proper undcrs the circumstances
to tack political legislation appropriation bills;
that when both houses and tho Executive of the
Same party and in harmony. and time presses
the close Of tho session to make 1t difficult to
carry needed legislation through the regular way.
then it may be proper justihsble to append such
mstter TO appropriation BILL but that the present
is entirely different and tho proposed plan is
without Justification.
In regard to the general subject the Presidents
friends assert that he regards the maintenance Of the
supervisors Of elections Of vital importance to
tho purity of freedom Of elections and it would
seem that he agrees with the general
publican opinion that the superiors should
not DO deprived Of any Of their present powers to
challenge votes and to canvass the returne though
this Is not certain. As to the msrshals his friends
say that he thinks them important. without them
the supervisors are powercss to make arrests. But
they say no thinks we'll Of plan which has found
supporters In both parties here among moderate
mcn-that deputy marshsls for election purposes
shall be appointed by the courts and shall DO two
Ut each precinct and TO be nominated TO the court
by the Congressional candidates
1t will be that tho President, II these reports
true. is in pretty close agreement with the body
Of republicans. and II is clear that contrary to the
hopes and expectations entertained yesterday thorc
Il ;t.Iv 10 ho u,
best accounts it that in the committees
the moderate democrats have carried all they were
able to. They werc beaten in IN attempt to make
tho political legislation In separate bills. and they
were also defeated In their desire to arrange the an
pointment of deputy election marshals MS tho
supervisors appointed. The joint caucus,
when IL meets tomorrow evening, win
probably adopt tho recommendations OF tho CON-
mittcc. and thcreupon the whole matter will bc
Rcd into the House, where. no doubt II will be de-
bated ct considerable length and oil the signs hore
show. with constantly increasing ncrfmony. The
extreme democrats openly declare that II thcy can
have their way they will pass the Appropriation bills
and II they are vetoed adjourn Congress without
further delay. Tho extreme republicans on their
part declare that the President. IL he were good
republican,, would veto every thing even tho repeal
Of tho test oaths, and matter in what shape
IL should como. II remains TO be whether
In tho end tho moderate men of both parties
will noe have sense and strength enough to
take matters into their own hands and come TO IN
agreement but far there has been very little con-
ference berweon the two parties; zach has held aoo
and this feet has given the extremists better OPP
portunity to work up sentiment and gain strength
for themselves. This Is tho situation ste this even
ing.
ZACH CHANDLER AS CANDIDATE ron THE
pnEsrpENcr-aoop EFFECT OF ABUSING JEFF
DAVIS.
1t is curious. but true. that Senator Chambers
speech against Jen Davis tho last night Of the
last session has given him without any intervention
of his own high place among tho fsvorites for the
Presidential nomination next year. A large mum.
Der Of republicans hcre do not take kindly 70