New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-03-24
THE CoNFEDERATES IN A BAD FIX.

Iron ana steer ulSpldy III L AIS
THE CONFEDERATES IN A BAD FIX.
OBLIGED TO BACK DOWN OR BE TOTALLY DEFEATED
TIE DEMOCRATS ANXIOUS FOR COMPROMISE
tBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUNE
WAsurNGToN March 23.-The Democrats in their
preparations for a surrender of all for which they
ostensbly made extra session of Congress neces-
sary have been very busy for the past two days Ill
circulating a report that the President is ready 10
compromise with them III regard to changes IN the
Federal election laws, and that they will be able to
adopt in then caucus certain amendments TO those
laws which Mr. Hayes will approve. This report has
taken different forms under varying circumstances
Ii is alleged that member of the joint caucus
committee at its meeting yesterday SAID that lie
spoke bv authority when he announced that the
President would approve the plan which was adopted
bv that committee. Another form OF the story
is that Senator Bayard and Representative Springer
have been able to ascertain through Secretary
Evarts what kind of modified election bill Presi-
dent HAYES would sign and that the caucus bill in
its final shape will closely conform TO the Presl-
dents views.
This story IN all its forms. is believed by several
nrommeut Republicans, who have recently talked
with the President on the subject, to be utterly abb
surl There Is no doubt that he has expressed hlm-
self IN the strongest possible terms favor OF pre-
serving all present legal guards to the purity OF
IL also true JlaJ lnOht HdNC ho''iu
his views in regard to the sO-caed compromise of
the Democratic caucus committee adopted yester-
terday say that he regards it mere pretonce OF
offer to the Republicans and that he Will never
think of signing either as a separate measure or as
+be prce of an appropration bill The story far as
it Involves Secretary Evarts, is also wholly without
foundation. The Secretary has lad no consultation
with either Senator Bayard or Mr.. Springer, and
does not know their views the subject under con-
sheraton.
All rcports of this kind originate in the desire Of
the Democrats to get out Of bad d.
lemma, in which they find themselves
For two reasons it is impossible for
them to carry out the programme which
they laid down dunng the closing hours
of the last Congress first because it does not com
mand the support of enough Democrats in either
house to make a majority and secondly, because OF
fine frmness which the President has shown IN OPP
position to it, No course is left therefore, except
to back down, and the leaders of the Democratic
marty are now engaged IN dcvlsng some means that
will enable them TO retire good order pos
sihe If they could induce the President TO we
TO them a single point, no matter now tINal or IN
iInno1tont II might be, that would enable them to
say to the country that, recognizing the IGhi OF the
President to u-e the veto power, they bad made 4
compromise with HIM and Withdrawn from the con-
troVeTsv with honor They dare not make square
issue with the Executive, because they know thaj
that would be suicidal. IheN d"ic hot give up
without struggle, for then the country would see
the dishonesty of The prctcusiors made an ex-
Ira session necessary The end of it all viii be a
victory for the Republicans, either by the complete
surrender of the Democrats or Their overwhelming
defeat through the Presidents answering opposl-
tIon to all their revolutionary schemes.
The Joint caucus may be held tomorrow night,
though it is thought more probable that 1T Will be
DELAYED until Tuesday. 1t Is believed by the House
members who desire to begin general business that
i'll a JOINT caucus there Will be strength enough 70
overcome the evident reluctance on me Iait Hi me
Senate to nave business 60 on. In the House almost
the entire ant-Randall force favors several weeks
OF general work.
A general press dispatch says that tho House
and Senate Democratic caucus committees held
iont meeting of five and half hours duration.
The first question whether the proposed pollti-
cal legislation should be effected by the passage of
a separate measure, by the Incorporation of re-
pcaling clauses ETC.. in the appropriation bills.
Nearly every one present participated III the dis
cussion 1t was finally determined that the latter
course would be most expcdicnt Tie determina-
ton was reached by a vote of - against 8.
The next question considered whether the
rcpealing clauses in regard to the Federal election
laws should be modified so as to repeal only those
sections which authorize the appointment OF chief
supervisors and deputy marshals for elections,
together with the sections comforting police
powers on the supervisors, thus contnu-
ing the authorization for the appointment OF
two supervisors of different politics to serve in
tie count of votes. After exhaustive discussion
il was decided TO recommend the modified pro-
position above described The vote was ii against L.
The Joint meeting then authorized Senarors
Thurman salisbury, Bailey and Herman
and Representatives Chalmers, Springer Car
Isle and Atkins to formulate provisions
in accordance with this decision. They
were also especially authorized to consider
the proprcty Of framing a substitute for Section
5,522 Of the Revised Statutes, which preScrlbes
penalties for violation Of the election laws Mr..
SprngcI's proposition to provide for the ENACTMENT
al am existing English statute OF george H. was
very iavorably received, and the joint subcOmlnlt-
Zee will probably recommend It's ADOPTION III pro-
liuts any soldier stationed within two miles on a
voting place from leaving his quarters on election
dav except to relieve guard or 10 go the polis 10
vote and requires him in the latter case TO return
10 ms quarters immediately aiteT"aTd.
IGc jOint meeting proceeded TO consider the ques-
ton whether the legislation Of the present session
should be confined to the Appropriation biis, IN,
Guiding the measures above indicated. a decided
majority of the Senate committee favored restrc-
tou If business TO the Appropriation bills, and TO
committee insisted that the opportunities for trans
getting general business should be improved, with
out, however, pTOlOnglng the session after the
appropriation bills shall have been disposed OF. 1t
was finally decided to report disagreement on TINS
subject to a Joint caucus. This meeting OF the JOINT
caucus viii probably be held next tuesday evening
TIE OFFICES OF THE SENATE
NEW MES PROBABLY TO BE VOTED IN TODAY
IBY TELEGRAPH THE TRIBUSEI
WAsHINGIOS March 23.-Tbe intention in the