New-York tribune., 1882-04-29
STILL pEFERRING TO THE MINORITY.


WASHINGTON, April 2s.-Another day has passed
without decision of the Lynch Chalmers contested
election case After Chairman Calkins had called
the matter up this morning he announced that. for
good and sufficient reasons, he would not demand
the previous question after four hours of debate as
be had ntenced to do but would allow the
discussion to run through the day and then move
the previous question, but not ask vote on that
motion until tomorrow morning. just before Mr..
CalkIns announced this change of programme, he
was observed in conference with ex-Speaker
Randall
Later in the day TRIBUNE correspondent OBJ
tained from Democratic member OF tile House
some information which shed brilliant light upon
this sudden change of the Republican programme,
and showed that the majority has not yet lost faith
In Democratic promises or abandoned the plan of
allowing the minority to dictate the order Of pro-
cednre IL seems that Mr. Randall went TO Chair
man Calkins and informed him that if he should
demand the previous question to-day, as ne had In
tended TO do, the Democrats would EhbuSter to
prevent it; but that if lie would refrain from the
attempt until tomorrow he thought dilatOry tactics
would not be Tesorted TO. Mr.. Calkins was further
informed that Democratic caucus would be held
this evening and assured that Randall House,
Springer and others who were opposed TO tilibuster
ing would control the action Of the caucus and
whip back into the party traces the members whom
Chalmers and his friends had spurred into the de-
termination TO flibuster against vote IN his case
These considerations and assurances induced Chair
man Cakns TO change HIS plans. Messrs. Randall,
House, Springer and other influential Democrats
appear to be sincere in their determination that
there shall be no bustering if they can prevent it.
As one Of them said this afternoon If we go into
that sort of business. the people will at once lose
sight of the merits of the case and the injustice
about 10 be done to Chalmers and turn upon us for
obstructing the public business" This admission
it might he we'll for the timid Republican majority
10 the House TO heed. They have been held III
check all winter by terrible threats of Democratic
flbustering; and whenever a measure has been
proposed. the first anxious inquiries have been,
"What will the Democrats dol Will they not
Glibuster against thisf" 1t was owing entirely TO
such considerations that the Apportionment w
was allowed TO pass the House in the form ii did "a
that the Tariff Commission BIZ was not brought 1.
vote after a reasonable amount OF discussion. II
deed, SO anxious have been the chet friends OF N
latter bill to avoid the terrible things that 49,
minority might do, that they have already weak
eued the Republican support OF the measure One
Republican member of the House, who was III favor
Of the bill three weeks ago, said this Afternoon
shall not vote for ii unless change my mind.
know that-naming another influential Western
Republican,, will not vote for the bill, and, unless
kasson and Kelley stop their dickerng with tie
Democrats very soon, they VIII lose more Repub-
hcan votes than they will gain Democratic votes,
and the measure win cease to be party one II ln-
oeed 1t Is not beaten altogether"
me TACT is the Democratic minority i'll the House
oi representatives, dare not ilIbuster to prevent
ne .h passage OF any important public measure But
the men who have thus far appeared TO control the
aarpr1ty JUiy seem TO have as firm belief in the
n,inortu ss oI the terrible threats made by tne
MmlhoIty as Dr johnson did in the Cock Lane
sihost ana randall and his associates have for
hve months virtually controlled the order of bust
majority VI WV