New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-11-12
Il nEprRLLC1N CONGRESS.

The elections helu on lucsuay ploot"lS "c-
termne the political complexion Of both
branches of Congress FOR some time to come.
The effect is not what the Democrats expected
II is true. they have elected members from the
two districts in this city. Having done tins
they Cd culated they would be able to elect the
Speaker of the House by bargain with the
Greenback members, because the Republicans
would have only 14G votes, one less than a
majority. But the best laid schemes Of
Democratic nice and men usually come to
grief and the BourbOns have less chance to
control the House than they had to control the
Senate when they conspircd to elect Mr.. Bayard
by a trick.
The election in Virginia has probably deter
mined the course Of the two independent mem
bcrs from thar state. Had the BourbOns
triumphed these members might have found no
political stauding-plucc in Virginia except in
the Democratic party. But political indcpcn-
dcnce has triumphcd. The power Of Bourbon
ism has been broken. These members now
know that the real wishes of their constituents
will find expression at the polls, and will not
be defeated next year 10y fraudulent voting or
false counting. Knowing this, these members
are free from ali anxiety as to their own course.
knowing that the people of Virginia are with
them. 1t is reasonable to expect that they will
support the Republicans in the House as
heartily as the Republicans Of Virginia sup
ported General Malone in the recent election
This alone viii give clear majority TO the Re
publicans, and power to elect any candidates
that are not personally Objectionable.
But the Democrats had miscalculatcd IN
other respects. They had counted upon the
vote of Mr.. Smith of Brooklyn, who, however,
was for years an earnest Republican. His con-
fdence in that party is not likely TO be dinin
isheG 10y the splendid fight it has made and the
honorable victory it has achieved in his own
city. There is every reason to believe that ne
will heartily cooperate with the Republicans IN
the organization of the House. and upon other
questions whenever compelled to choose be-
tween the Republican and Democratic parties.
Hope has been cherished by Democrats as to
PENNSYLVANIA member who was elected 10y the
aid of Grcenback votes, but. il is positively
stated that he also Will act with the Republicans
in the organization. Finally. no coalition be-
tween Democratic and Grecnback members
could have succeeded without the votes OF four
members from Missouri, who, though elected
Republicans as respects al issues between the
Republican and Democratic parties. If 1t had
happened that the few Greenback members
could prevent the election of a candidate OF
either party, there might have been some cX-
cusc for apprehension. Bur the certainty that
the Republicans Will have power 10 elect in any
case with the votes of the two Virginia lndc-
pcndents and Mr.. Smith Of Brooklyn or of
either one of the three, will prevent any ciicc-
tive combination against them. Probably the
four members from Missouri will see fit to join
with the party TO which, as respects all issues
between the two parties, their convictions IN
| cline them.
The control of the Senate FOR the present is
already assured 10y the position of Senator
| Davis and Senator Malone. But the Bcpubli-
I cans can now count with certainty upon the CO.
| operation of another Senator from Virginia, as
soon as the successor Of Mr.. Johnston ha, taken
! his seat, and thcy have good reason to hope for
tine election of Republican Senators from New
/ Jersey in place OF Mr.. Mcpherson, and from
| Oregon in place of Mr.. Grover With com
plete control Of both branches of Congress, and
! with the White House occupied by President
Arthur, the Republican party can claim with
reason tlat lis position is stronger chan it has
! been at any time for several years.