New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-05-18
WBY CONGRESS SHOULD ADJOURN.

On Saturday that public nuisance known as
the Democratic House of Representatives voted
to adjourn May 81. In the affirmative were 30 Re
publcans, Greenback members, and "a Demo-
Gratis in the negative there were Republicans,
Greenback men, and II Democrats. The
Democratic votes, 1t will be seen, were more
than two to one against adjournment and it ID
not surprising, therefore, that it was resolved
by Il Democratic caucus held in the evening that
the vote to adjourn ought to be reconsldered
| The reason given was that some bill ought TO
| be passed before adjournment to reduce the
| tariff, and also some measure to regulate the
| Gelectoral cOunt"-in other words, to enable
| the Democrats to steal the Presidency. IT Con-
| oress will not adjourn until the latter measure
can be passed. it ought to be kept in session all
the wear. The majority in that body already
has quite enough power; so much, indeed, that
some persons doubt whether the people OF the
United States are able to elect President Of
their own choice, aud to get his election recOg-
pized by the factiOus Democrats in Congress.
Unless the majority of electoral votes against
the Democratic candidate should he large, it is
evident that an effort will be made to count him
in, and the power of Congress for such defeat
of the will of the people ought not to be in
creased. If this were the only question pending,
the Democrats would probably decide with
much unanimity to remain in session, at least
long enough to grasp increased power for mis-
chief, If possible.
Happily, there are other questions. Some
Democrats want legislation about the currency !;
others dread nothing else so much. Some look
upon the revision of the tariff as the one thing
| needful to secure their return others know
that 1t would consign them to the shades of
private life. Speaker Randall is supposed to
have ambitions. He appears to have organized
a minority of the Democrats to favor adjourn
ment, in the belief that his own interests and
those of his party will be seriously I'M
perilled if the session is prolonged. Probably
he will do what he can to prevent the 1ecOn-
sideIatiOn which other Democrats mean to at
tempt. AS he does not stand alone, but has
support in quarters of great influence with the
Democratic members, his recalcitrant minority
may prove stubborn. 1t does not appear how
many of the members who voted for the adjourn
ment attended the caucus on Saturday, nor
is it certain that any of them will obey its
orders. But the right course for Republicans is
to stand together and get this notwithstanding
Congress adjourned as soon as possible.
This Congress has not been dong the Repub-
licans any harm, it is true. Vetoes are likely to
arrest any particularly malignant legislation,
and the exposure of Democratic purposes is Of
some value. In party point of view, it might
be desirable to have the malice and phe
nomenal incapacity of the Democrats their
faithlessncss, their disloyalty, and their readi-
ness to resort to the worst measures and
methods, as fully illustrated as possible. Con-
gress has made many Republican votes by its
session thus far and might make great many
more if it should sit two months longer. But
the Republicans have no right to risk serious
harm to the country for the sake of possible
| political advantage. This Congress does mis-
| chief every hour. 1t unsettles business and
disturbs trade, and has already caused many
| establishments to contemplate closing their
doors until it has done meddling with things.
1t encourages tho rebelious and revolutionary
| spirit, and prepares men to look with indlifer-
ence, If not with favor, upon some high-handed
outrage in connection with the next Presiden-
| tial election. 1t Is not clear, even now, that
we shall escape another prostitution Of industry
rs a result Of financial and business uncer-
tainhes, or another civil strife as q consequence
of Democratic attempts to steal the Presi-
dency, and the risk of either Is increased by q
continuance of Congress IL session.
The desire Of some Of the ablest and most
influential Democrats to get their partisans
away from the Capitol as sO0n as possible may
have, It is charitable to believe, q patriotic
| mos;ye. They know that their party lie hope
| lesSly diyiGs5 upon some important questions.