New-York tribune., 1879-06-02
THE BILLS TO BE REPORTED SOON
A SUBCOMMITTEE APPOINTED TO GET THEM READY
At oNCE-NR. cox AND OTHERS WILLING TC

At oxCr-NR. cox AND OTHERS WILLING TO
PERISH RATHER THAN SURRENDER.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rRBCSEl
WAsHINGTON June 1.-The Democratic JOINT
Caucus Committee held a meeting yesterday four
hours in duration, and reached substantially
unanimous agreement as to the course OF action that
should be adopted by the Democratic party in Con-
gress with regard the appropriation bills. There
were present Senators Thurman, salisbury, Herman,
Eaton. Bailey. Lamar, voorhees, and Vance; and
Representatives Chalmers, Carlisle, Cox, Ewing,
Springer. Atkins, Clymor, Reagan Phelps and
BiclzneT. Judge Thurman presided hessrs'
Hampton Of south Carolina, and Goode, OF NIr-
ginia, were absent.
The weight of opinion expressed by the majority
IF gentlemen present was favorable to making an
bther stand before actually going to pieces, stand
away back in the rear Of the position the party at
frst assumed so.defantly and thon.mutely pleading
with the President 10 leave the leaders Of the party
Iome remnants of their reputation, just to swear
bv. when they face their deluded and msreprc-
rented constituents In so doing the committee
Kill assume to be framing policy which the party
sexpected to follow.
Rumor has it that Senator Thurman, who moro
riap any other man is responsible for the party's
present dilemma took the lead, tined to do so, III
he retreat. Mr.. Cox, Mr.. Eaton and Mr. Clymer
IRE credited with having exhibited Spartan
willingness to perish rather than adopt any other
policy than that originally laid down by the eau
ms; but the Solid South and the balance OF the
Sorth were against them.
THE PLAN AGREED UPON.
The line of action sketched out at the meeting
held yesterday was, in brief to pass the two appro-
,riation bills without the political riders, but with
/ saving clause IN each. That in the Legislative
bill is to prohibit the expenditure of any part of
Of cd for the a
yisors or deputy marshals, while in the Army bill
lprovision is to be inserted forbiddng the use of
nyportion Of the sum appropriated for the pay
cnt of the expenses incident 10 the of troops at
the polls where elections are held
A separate bill is to be drawn repeating the test
path and modifying the method of drawing jurors
4 subcommittee was appointed consisting OF
Messrs. Thurman. Eaton, Vance, Salisbury
Springer, Chalmers, Atkins and Ewing, to draw up
the several measures in accordance with the above
plans.
The subcommittee has been in session to-day
and the hope is expressed that ii Will complete Its
task IN season for a report to the full Joint commit
tee tomorrow. The fact is the Democratic leaders
IRE seeking to forestan an incipient rebellion in
their party and to prevent by this the necess
ty for general caucus, in which they have goodrea-
ron to apprehend grand not. The members Of the
subcommittee intimate that they hope to report
the two appropriation bills to the House early IN the
week They will take great care to frame them in
such way as they think will meet the Presidents
approval
REPUBLICAN COMMENTS.
The Republicans manifest the greatest indiffer-
pnce with regard TO the proceedings of the Caucus
Committee and the majority in Congress. as they
believe their power for mischief is practically at an
end. The course the minority viii take in regard
10 . ha of he marked
out until the bills actually presented, so that
their provisions can be studied. Some idea of the
Republican attitude may be gathered, however
from the opinions expressed by several influential
members of the party to-nighI.
Senator Allison had not heard of the new Demo
cratic plans. When their substance was made
known to him he said, with regard to the appropri
alton bills that the saving clauses in themselves
would amount TO nothing, because there would be no
probability that the Army would ever be required
at the polls while the fact that no
elections except in California would take ef-
feet during the fiscal year would render
the prohibtory clause about the supervisors and
deputy-marshals matter Of no consequence. As a
precedent and a step in the wrong direction, he ex-
pressed the opinion that according to bis present
light the bills ought to be opposed by the Republi
cans. He did not anticipate any prolonged re-
sistance, however, and thought the bills might be
sent to the President speedily, the Republicans vot
ing and making brief record against them. With
regard TO the test oath and the Jury bl Mr. ALI
son said the Republicans care nothing for the
former. They have already repealed the bill once,
and It now only exists as a statute by accident lie
was, however, strongly in favor Of maintaining
some peremptory right Of challenge for jurors, and
while a modification Of Section S21 of the Revised
Statutes might be acceptable, he was of the opinion
that the Republicans ought 10 take strong prouud
against the repeal of the statute.
Senator Edmunds had not heard of the new
plans Of the Democrats, except as they had
been partially foreshadowed in the newspa-
pers. With regard to the prohibitve feature
Of the Army bi he said il was similar TO a prop
Osition made about 1856 by the Republicans with
regard to using the Army in Kansas. Tho PROPOSE
tiOn he sald was in that case unsuccessful, having
been abandoned by enough Of the Republicans TO
carry the measure through Congress without the
rider. He knew nothing about the purposes of other
Republicans, but If the measure should take the
form indicated he should vote against It, IB regard
TO the Legislative BILL the course lie would advise
would depend entirely upon the form in which the
restrictive features should be drawn. II the bill
should simply provide with more defniteness than
usual for the necessary expenses Of the Govern
ment, omitting all mention Of the supervisors or
deputy marshals and thereby making no approprI-
atlOns for the payment of these officials he could
see no reason why the Republicans should not vote
for 1t after trying TO amend It, If, however, the bill
should be passed in the usual FORM with a clause
forbiddIng the expenditure of money for the pay
ment of supervisors and deputy marshals there
would come another question, upon which Republ- |
cans might have various opinions.
In regard to the test oath, Mr. Edmunds was not
unwilling that 1t should be repealed but if the at