Year: 1879

Especial TO the DemOcrat.l


WASHINGTON, May 29.-Wlthin the last two
on three days startling rumors Of detection on
the part Of sufficient number Of Democrats
In the House to pass the appropriation bills
by voting with the Radicals and Greenback-
ers have been In circulation here, but they
have not assumed tangible shape until to-
day. Thomas Jefferson Mackey, somewhat
notorious In South Carolina, has been here
since Sunday to work up these weak brethren
In the delegation from South Carolina and
two from Georgia to induce them to vote with
the Radicals and Greenbackers and adjourn.
The Democratic programme, as previously
announced In these dispatches, has been Gil
along to pass O. joint resolution simply pro
longing the current appropriations until
December, intending to renew the struggle
at that time, the object being to
keep the control of the purse and
sword OF the country In the hands OF Con-
gress giving Hayes money to run the govern
ernment from day to day until such time,
next year, as he could begin to do other
mischief, and then Ii 1t became necessary, to
preserve the sovereignty OF the people, to
shut down on him. The weak brothers who
are now listening to the seductions of Mackey,
are Tillman and possibly Evins and O'Con-
nor, of South Carolina, and FELTON, and Speer,
Of Georgia. Alex. Stephens has been al
legged to be In sympathyswith thiSconspiracy,
but he does not admit it, and, SO far as he Is
concerned, the rumor Is probably slander;
but, unfortunately there ID little or no ground
for doubt as to the others mentioned, and un-
less they are dlssuaded flom theirlwretched
purpose, the greatest possible disaster may
happen to the Democratic party


Judge Elan told me to-day that he was ap-
prehensive that Hamptons influence was not
exerted az strongly as 1t ought TO be against
such action on the part of the South Carolina
delegation, though he did not believe Hamp-
ton could be capable OF abetting 1t out and
out.


In the present status OF the House, 1t will
require a detection of only four Democrats
added to the Radicals and the Greenback vote
to pass the bills. 1T this should be done,
there will still be majority enough In the Sen
ate to foil the conspiracy, but that would
break the harmony between the two houses
and such q result does not require descrip
tion. Steadfast Democrats in both houses
are not little worried over this aspect OF
affairs, and every argument Is being used to
prevent the consummation Of the conspiracy
The case of two of the South Carolina mem
bers ID particularly wretched, for they We're
among those selected by Devens for indict-
ment, and but for the calling of the
extra session they might now be
on their way to the penitentiary as
victims of the Radical conspiracy to seize the
organization of the House. At first, but
little importance was attached to Mackey's
manoeuvers, as he ID notorious bloviater and
romancer, but yesterday and to-day express
slons have been heard from suspected men
themselves, particularly FELTON, and Till
man, which tend to confirm the worst rumors.
1t is generally believed that upon sober second
thought they will abandon their designs.
Men will say a great many things In the
cloak-room that they will not back up with
their votes. There can be bat one opinion as
to the future Of any Southern Representatives
who betray the Democratic party In this
crisis It would be a future OF infinite execu-
tion and eternal infamy, and this reflection, if
brought home To these men In time, may have
the effect Of checking them; but the press
and the people of the South should make
themselves heard in no uncertain tones, and
there Is not q moment to lose. A. &. b.