Year: 1879




WHAT NEXT AFTER A VETOf
THE DEMOCRATS PERPLExED-THE f1PEcTA1IoS


OF VETO BECOMING GENERAL-Two OR THREE


COURSES OF ACTION.


IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNBI


WASHINGTON, April 27.-The Democrats are stili
in great trouble over the course that shall Dc
adopted after the President has vetoed the two ap-
preparation bills. They have deuded themselves
for weeks with arguments to prove that the Presi-
dent could not consistently withhold his approba-
ton of these measures Some of them actually be-
lieved that they had assurances from persons near
the President that he would sign at least one oil
them. They have changed their minds within the
last few days. and being brought face to face with
the important question of future policy, they hnd
it by no means an easy one to solve.


There are undoubtedly among the Democrats many
men who will favor the passage of the appropriation
bills without the Objectionable legislation, when it
is found that they cannot become laws otherwise !;
and these men arc likely to have more influence in
the Democratic caucus than they had at the begin
ming of the session.


Said one of the most prominent Republican SEN
ators this evening: There is one policy by which
the Democrats can get out of this dilemma, and at
the same time prevent us from making much pollti-
cal capital out of the proceedings of this extra
session, and that is by passing these appropriation
bills without the political sections and by appeal
ing to the people to judge them on the issue
between the parties as 1t would then stand. If
they were 10 show q little patriotic consideration
for the good of the country and the Government,
and say to their constituents that rather than allow
the wheels of Government to stop they would
prefer to yield the fight. they would make many
friends in the country. OF course, such 2roc'1-
ing would be verJ Z: , g.. Is. t.t ' '. ai.'
have talked about leIe. sum i.,c.. d" II the
party is wise it will allow them 10 cat hu' lble
pie and adopt the course | have Indicated"
After remarking that he had discovered
tendency toward conservatism among the Demo-
Gratis. especially within the past few days. the
same gentleman continued, speaking of the PROPOSE
ton 10 appropriate for six months and postpone
the fight until the next session of Congress That
would be suicidal. They cannot afford to postpone
the contest in Congress until the next session
They had better settle 1t now."


Besides the two plans already mentioned, there
is the third of adjourning the present session of
Congress without making the appropriations at ALL
in which case Congress would be Immediately
called back and the question which now troubles
the Democrats would still stare them in the face.
The Democratic caucuses to be held within the
next two weeks will probably be very important





meetings.


Among the reasons which the Republicans expect
that the President will assign for his veto of the
Army bill are the following:


F1rst-His disapproval of the attachment of ex-
traneous legislation to appropriation bills. 1t is
even reported that he will give notice TO Congress
of his future purpose not to approve appropriation
bills containing such legislation. This view will
not be the real ground upon which he will veto this
bill.


,Second-It is believed that he would approve the
political amendments to the Army bill In so far as
they apply simply to the presence of troops at the
polls for political purposes but the repeal of the
portion of the law proposed goes much further than
this. and tends to cripple the Executive in the
forcement of the laws, and Is encroachment
upon his rights and duty under the Constitution,
This is especially true OF that part OF the repeating
section which prohibits civil officers with posse
from executing even the writ of court to arrest
person guilty of violating United States laws who
may have fled for protection to the polls on election
day.


Third-It Is understood that the President will
dlsapprove the Army bill on the ground that the
legislation proposed forms part Of an avOwed pro-
gramme TO defy and coeTce the Executive under
threat of refusal of apprOpriau0ns) to approve leg
islation which places Illegal limitations upon his
constitutional powers, and which moreover, is the
initial step i'll an announced programme of undoing
all the essential Legislation growing out of the war
affecting the South or the freedmen, except 80 far
as such repeal would be impotent and impossible on
account of the constitutional amendments.


fOpth-It is believed also that TO other parts
of the bill the President viii make objections
especially to the very crude and dangerous legisa-
tion relative to promotions in the Army.