New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-04-02
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
THE DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED.

| III WOhA OC OONOIGOOs
THE DEFICIENCY BILL PASSED.
STEALING Mr.. wAsHBURN's sEAr-AN MvRsrr0A-
| ToN or THE SOLDIERS ROME wANrED-c0L.
ORED REPUBLICANS WHO WANT AN OPBsCE.
The Immediate Deficiency bill was passed
in the Senate yesterday without amendment;
Mr.. Edmunds made an able speech, in which
he clearly pointed out the great evils COM
tanned in the political features of the bill.
The House Committee on Elections has de.
cided that Mr.. Washburn Is not entitled
to his seat; it is said that the report to be
prepared will not be acted on until after
the Presidential election, when the Democrats
in the House will act according to their politi-
cal necessities. Mr.. Carpenter has introduced
o resolution asking for an investigation Of the
Soldiers Home at Washington. The colored
Republicans Of Missouri ask for official recog.
milton.
MIR. EDMUNDS ON THE ELECTION LAWS. 4
| A STRONG ARRAIGNMENT OF THE POLITICAL ysA-
TUREs OF THE DEFICIENCY BILi.-BELIRp THAT
THE PRESIDENT MAY VETO TIE BILL
| IsY TELEoRAPa TO TIE rRrBUSEI
WASHINGTON. April There was bur one speech
made from the Republican side OF the Senate to-day
upon the political features of the Deficiency BILL
was made by Senator Edmunds, and it 10 unsn-
swerable.
The defects in the provisions which tho Demo-
Gratis have devised to evade the cberatlons Of the
Election laws were shown to be go numerous and
30 grave that many of those who listened to the
speech were led to believe that the President would
find in them most excellent grounds for vetoing the
bill.
Mr. Ednunds gave history of the Democratic
attempt to repeal or nulify the Election laws and
said "The Office of marshal Of the United States
is an executive Office, just as much so that Of
President lie is not a judge nor legislator, but
is an inseparabe part Of the executive power Of the
United States under the Constitution. if We are
going to hove any government at all, and yet here
is provision that he shall come into official exist
ence through the exertiOn Of tho judicial power.
You say that on those occasions when there is the
greatest possible need Of unity and continuity Of
subordinate aud immediate responsibility, the ap-
pointing power and that of removal. is taken from
the President as the responsible head of the Govern.
ment, and vested in the Judiciary. Never
before last year did it enter the head
of the widest dreamer, tho most extremo
fanatic. to undertake to separate the power OF the
marshals or their appointment from the Executive,
and undertake to say that there is not q single
State in this Union that from the beginning Of its
ment of the sheriff or his deputies in the State
courts. Such proceeding would be most injurious
to the character and impartialty Of the courts.
"YOu are to have" continued Mr. Edmunds. "in
each voting precinctn cities 0fmore than 20 900 in
habitants, two marshals, If they applied for and
of opposite political parties, and the Judge of the
Circuit Court is to select the respective function
aries, representing the respective parties. Is that
good thing for the character Of the courtf Is 1t
possible that Senators arc SO eager to capture
tho next Congress that they are will
ling to resort to measures Of this kindi
! want to ask every candid Democrat in the cham
her how long If they should get possession Of all the
Departments Of the Government how long they
think they would allow such law foreman on the
statute books. There is not known to the law any
such office special deputy marshal of election.
1t may be- and doubtless will be sad that the stat
ute will give power to create such officers go It will
but what power will they have None at all. But Of
course the fact that they have no power will not hurt
the bill in the eyes OF its supporters because they
did not intend to have the marshais havo any
Now these special deputy marshalsn said the
speaker are to be appointed oy tine circuit Coni!s
certain that session Of the Circuit Court viii DO
held within one or two or three months previous to
How is it to be known, SO long in advance. whether
marshals will be required TO preserve the peace and
prevent illegal voting 1t Is quite obvious that the
measure just effective for the purpose of break
ing down the election iaTs as that de-
that these so-called deputies of election
shall be subordinates to any authority whatever.
and nobody eau command them. Then how are you
going to get rid of themi Once deputy always
deputy at SO day until the Circuit Court conycnes
again to relieve them. The States, determine tho
sizc of the precinets: and deputy has no no powers
of the Sand Lots or Five Points would laugh at
a law which ceased to have any legal validity the
moment they got around the corner"
Mr.. Edmnnds said that this is one stop in tho
revolutionary scheme to prevent the U"i;ed states,
in the exercise of its legitimate authority to pro.
tect tho freedom and purity of tho ballot. It is
part of the attempt 10 overthrow these laws alto
geter and if it passes 1t Is just as good. far
the former attempt.
THE THEFT OF A MINNESOTA SEAT.