The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1879-06-05
CHANGING FRONT IN ACTION.
The New Plan OF the Democrats In Coz,
Hress.

" ASllISGTON, May III.
The two advisory committees of the
House and Senate Democratic caucuses
held n joint meeting to-day, and reached
substantially unanimous agreement rs
to the course of action that should be
adopted by the dominant party with re-
gard To the appropriation bills. After a
very full interchange of views and nm
especially minute examination of the
Presidents veto messages in connection
with sundry existing statutes prohibiting
interference by the army with elections,
It was decided 10 recon- mcnd the immc-
diatc passage of bill making the usual
appropriations for the support of the
army throughout the fiscal year, but con
tanning proviso that no portion Of the
money therein appropriated shall be used
for the pay, transportation, equipment. or
subsistence of any troops used for police
purposes to keep peace at polls. 1t WAS
further decided TO recommend the passage
Of the Legislative, executive and judicial
appropriation bill in substantially the
same terms rs last years bill, and for the
same amounts, exccpt that they shall be
more minutely specified, and except also
that it shall not make any provision
for the pny of supervisors or deputy
vi SlCCLlOIISs
The new bill will, however, contain n
clause proving that no office shall be ap-
pointed, or obligation incurred, for any
object for which specific appropriation
shall not have been made by Congress.
This clause is already on the statute
book, with the exception Of the words
cor obligation incurred" and there is
also law existing which prohibits the
ft tui Nj pf to
other purpose than that for which it has
been specifically made. The committees
agreed to recommend the passage of \
separate measure cmbodyng those sec
tions of the vetoed bills which provide
for amendments Of the law concerning
the method Of drawing juries, and for tho
total abolition of the Jurors test oath.
In view of the fact that the President, in
his veto message, makes no comment ON
these, it is believed that he will prompt
ly approve them when presented in nn
independent bill.
1t was also argued to-day, in behalf of
the adoption Of the programe above out
lined, that the President cannot lustilia.
bly, withhold his signature from an ap
preparation bill merely because it omits
to make provision for particular object,
and that, in the anticipated event of his
approving the present bills, the Demo
crnt will hare accomplished for the next
year exactly what they would have nc.
complshed for an indefinite period of
time by the former bills, and what they
may continue to accomplish by similar
legislation rs they remain in power.
Tho joint meeting was adjourned until
Monday, by which time the rccommen-
dntions agreed upon will have hcen pro.
mulgatci in appropriate phrasrology by
a sub'commi tee, consisting of Senators
Thurman, + ton, Vance and Bailey, and
Representatives Chalmers, Springer, En-
ing and Reagan, and submitted Tor final
approval preparatory to their prescnta.
tion to the joint caucus OF the Democratic
members of both Houses, which will
probably be held on Monday evening.
In response to objections raised by
few of those who participated in the
meeting that the adoption of his policy
would be construed ns backing down ON
the part of the Democracy, it's advocates
mado the point that, although there have
been individual utterances in favor of
withholding supplies in the event of
failure 70 secure the enactment of the
political clauses originally embodied in
the appropriation bills, it ia not true that
any such stand has ever been taken by
authority of the party. On the contrary
the question whether such stand should
be taken has never been acted upon by a
Democratic caucus of either branch of
Congress, or By caucus committee until
this afternoon.