New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-20
DEMOCRATIC CHANGE OF FRONT.

up n.RFtEIps SUBSTITUTE FOR Mr.. sPRINGER's
AMENDMENT CrPTED-CHARACTERIsTIC DEM
oCRA1IC SPEECHES.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEI
WASHINGTON, March 10.-ln the midst OF the
parliamentary battle which was waged in the
HOUSE this afternoon over the election marshals'
the Democrats suddenly changed front. ana, 10 the
general surprise of every body, accepted the propo
sition offered by General Garfield yesterday as
substitute to the amendment proposed by Mr..
Springer
In the form finally adopted General Garfeld's
proposition provides that an equal NUMBER ca
deputy-marshas hereafter appointed to serve az
elections shall belong to each political party, ana
that tbey shall be appointed by the Judges oil the
Circuit Courts instead of by the United States Mar
shals. The Democrats evidently hoped by accept
ing this proposition to secure a number oil hepuoh-
can votes which they appeared to be in need of be-
cause of divisions 10 their own ranks.
But the substitute not offered by General
Garfield with the expectation that Republlcans
would vote for it at last The design was simply to
make the rider as unobjectiOnable as might be.
On the final vote only two Republicans voted for
the amendment and General Garfield was not one
of them On this vote, as 1t was at lrst recorded
the amendment was lost by majority
An opportunity was then afforded to members
who desired to change their votes. Six Democrats
thereupon changed their votes from nay to yea.
Eight other Democrats who had voted in the mega
tive refused to surrender. but the proposition was
adopted by 115 yeas to 107 nays. Mr.. Cox did not
vote.
The proceedings which preceded the voting were
of a very lively nature Mr. Buckner,. OF Missouri,
and Mr.. Hooker, of Mississippi, made remarks
against the measure in much the same strain that
Mr. Cox did Yesterday. Mr.. Hooker's speech es
+, oOlo oobo ntarQ md n =
much to revive extra-session memories as anything
that has been said in Congress since this session be-
Gan, The most noticeable speech on tue Democratic
eide was made by General Ewing, who remembers
that he was not elected Governor of Ohio. He ap-
pealed to the Democrats to consider whether they
should try and amend the election laws or again
tread the perilous verge that they trod during the
extra session. He warned them that the people of
the North would not sustain them in the latter
course He referred to the elections of last Fall in
way to show that he, at least was taught lesson
by them.
General Ewing's speech, throughout, gave one
the impression that it was intended for Demo-
cratic caucus rather tlan for the House of Repre-
seatatjves For example. he argued with his party
associates that they ought to modify the election
laws now as much as possible. "Ihey have been
declared constitutional" he said; we cannot re-
peal them now Let us make the best terms we
can. and when we get the power wipe them from
the statute book altogether" General Ewng's
speech made decided impression on his party
friends and recalled number of waveIing Demo-
Gratis to their allegance.
Sneaker Randall was very active on the floor all
dav. taking part in the discussion and laboring
with rec .lctrant Democrats to win their support to
tbe proposed amendment. His labOrs were very
effective and but for his personal efforts the
,,.,eura vvould have been defeated.
The bill has now passed the House lt contains
the item of 81 900 to paw deputy y-marshals who
served in the California election last September.
ii may be remembered that the Democrats have de-
clared that they would never-nO, neveI-vote a
dollar for this purpose
But ths item the Democrats have fastened IA
"ridef materially changes the law, and changes it
for tie worse in two important particulars. In the
first place the appointment of officers to execute a
law of the United States is taken ont OF the hands
of the Executive Department and placed under the
control of the Judiciary. In the second place, the
practical tendency OF the law, if it is amended as
the Democrats DESIRE will be to encourage and pro-
woke breaches of the peace at elections.
One lesson taught by the proceedings of the liousc
to-day is that the Democrats in that body have con-
cluded that the election laws are constitutional pro-
yided the Democrats are allowed to appoint one
half OF the officers TO execute said laws. Another
lesson is that the Democrats are determined to 90
lust as far as they dare in attempt to coerce the
President.
Instead of bringn in a bill TO change the elec-
ton laws and passing it. as they have the power
aud right to do they seek TO effect the change by
proviso in AN appropriation bill TO meet 'immedia
deficiencies" That bill contains some thirty items
OF appropriations Unless it becomes law speedily
loyal pensioners of the Government mnst be Kept
ont of their money, and thousands OF poor men and
women m Washington must continue TO suffer be-
cause there no funds at the disposal OF the run
lie PRIMER The bill also contains the appropriation
to pay the fees earned by United States Marshals
during the last nine months. The Appropriation oi
several other items contained in the bill must be
made at once the interests of the public service
will materially suffer
A NEW PENSION BILL.
PLAN BEFORE TIE SENATE COMMITTEE AS A SUB
sTITUTE FOR TIE COMMISSIONERS Bull.