New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-27
AT THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.
uArTERs BEFORE CONGRESS.

AT THE FEDERAL CAPITAL.
MATTERS BEFORE CONGRESS.
orMocRATIC LEApRRs FoILED AND SHAKEN IN PUR-
posr-TlME WASTED 1rUiING FACTS FOR
IxTxRgsTED RUMoRs.
AS was anticipated, the Democratic majority
IN the House made strong effort YESTERDAY
10 bring about consideration of the Blcknell
Electoral Count resolutions; Speaker Randall,
IN his desire to assist the effort, made ruling
that fair-minded Democrats admit to nave
been without excuse. Under the leadership OF
Mr.. Conger, the Republican minority signaily
defeated the Democratic attempt. Many
Democrats have become discouraged. and some
of them talk of abandoning the useless strug'
ole. The Ponca Commission has submitted q
report to the President
A DEMOCRATIC DEFEAT.
TIE ATTEMPT To FORCE A CONSIDERATION OF THE
piCKSELL RESOLUTIONS MEETS WITH DIsHEART-
ENINa FAILURE-DEMOCRATlc COMMENT
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE
WASHINGTON, Jan. 26.-Thls morning, with
twenty-four days of official life remaining in which
matters of legislative routine including the general
appropriation bills can receive consideration, the
Democratic majority in the House of Representa-
tives began struggle to pass the Electoral Count
resolutions. the motive for which not one
of them can explain. Mr. Randall has
assumed charge in this case, as he did
during the consideration of the Refundiug BILL
On the question as to whether not the Electoral
resolutions should be considered, the vote was
1870 TO 124.
After it had been decided to proceed with the
resolutions. Mr. Coneer moved a call of the House,
in order that absentees might be sent for. Speaker
alld dad 10 OrQer-a
ruling which 80 good o parliamentarian as Alexan-
der H. Stephens pronounced, in undertone,
atrocious" Mr.. Carlisle, of Kentucky, Mr..
Tucker, of Virginia, aud other Democrats who have
sense Of fairness were staggered by the ruling OF
the Speaker and freely declare that 1t Is indefen-
sbe. The proceedings. which continued for three or
four hours left an appeal from the Speakers ruling
it'll undecided.
Throughout the day the Republicans followed the
sklful leadership of MIR. Conger and foiled the
Democrats at every point. This evening the Demo-
Gratis who are welded to Mr.. RandalPs ideas are
very respondent. They talk of renewing the strug-
gle again tomorrow but their conversation gene
rally indicates that if they do it will be with little
hope of success. MIR. RandalPs enemies in his own
party are somewhat disposed quietly to enjoy the
reverse which he sustained to-day. There are prob
ably a score OF more of Democrats like Messrs.
Stephens, FELTON, and Speer who voted with the
the Republicans to-day, who do not really believe
in the resolutions themselves, and support them
only from the force of habit, which compes them
10 support any measure which is labelled
Democratic" There are Democrats who think that
the two houses of Congress ought to count the Elec
toral votes, but who not willing that precious
lime shall now be wasted over matter winch they
consider of no practical Importance far as the Eec-
toral Count two weeks hence Is concerned. AS usual
the Democrats who show the most insistence are
Northern men, like Randall, Springer, Sparks and
sthers.
MIR, Sharks was asked this evening if the struggle
would he renewed tomorrow " Yes; think the
question will be tested" he said; 1--WE ought to
have carried the thing through to-day. and we
Some of them are very careless-careess hardly ex-
DRESSES what mean either" continued Mr.. Sparks,
with energy they are worse than careless they
There is a somewhat general impression tonight
that the Democrats will not continue the night
much longer. MI Martin Of Delaware' said ne & dld
impossible said lie. :. to get quorum of Demo-
erats. They are in the city, bnt thev won't come
Mr. n& coSS, % of Iadiana, spoke in much the same
gem. He thought the Democrats would hardly fol-
w I r as Cob e
hours ago had hope that bis party would be able
to succeed in its intention. Mr.. Lounsberry SN ~
does not believe that the House viii 20 on With the
tested election of Yeates against Martin IN. CD
but be believes another trial will be made ut 1t
With the District of Columbia Appropriation bill
ready for consideration with the 1ates-Martn con-
ssed election foF o a"a wt 10 ss
nothing Of the Interstate Commerce bill and other
public measures, there appears to be very little
prospect that the Electoral resolutions will be
passed If very Inany more days should be wasted
US to-day was, there would be very strong prns-
tect of an extra session OF Congress.