Year: 1878

We remember to have heard occasionally,
during the long period in which the Rcpubli-
cans controlled both branches Of Congress, very
decided expressions oi dissatisfaction, by omi-
rcnt Democratic leaders, at what was called
government by caucus The immediate oc-
casIon therefor Wa, the ton of Republican
Congressional ctucuses in directing the order
of business or fixing upon a definite line OF
policy with regard TO certain pending measures.
At time, the feeling upon this subject ian
Li-h among the Democrats, and the pro-
tests against the tyranny of caucus and
the dcmOraliZne effect Of caucus gOV-
cinmcut uuon independent Judgment and
individual freedom, were very earnest
and prolonged. Aud it must be adj
mlttcd that some of their complaints wei. well
grounded; that there was some truth IN what
rhcy said about the evils of caucus govern
ment. But it is to be remarked that the party
out OF power holds notions upon variety OF
subjects which, when il arrives a. power, u is
quick to discard or forget. In the matter of
caucus government they hold different views
Just row from those they maintained with 50
much earncstncss a few years ago. They hold
cancuscs now themselves, and Tor aught we
can see they are a. read to fctcr individual
Judgment 10y a caucus dictum as ever their
opponents were. Their action with reference
to the adjournment resolution of the SEN
ate furnishes an illustration OF Their
changed views. twas apparent from the vote
in the House on Wednesday that Il majority
Of that body favored the Senate resolution,
and that if o direct vote had been taken be-
fore action upon the question by party caucus,
it would have been passed But the oppC-
nents of the resolution managed to staye Oh
the question for the day, in order to give an
opportunity for holding a caucus and deciding
it, not according to the individual judgments
of members but according to what used to bc
called the dlctum of tyrannical party caucus.
This is one of the extreme cases which used
to be cited as showing the harmful operation
of the caucus rule. A minority OF Congress
succeeds now in controlling the action of
the whole body and becomes practically
the majority. We do not deny the prOprcty
of the proceeding. The caucus is considered
an essential part of the machinery of the or
ganizatiOn, and is no doubt necessary to eifec


tive discipline We merely remark that the
tyranny of caucus is not now deemed so
Oppressive upon individuals, and so subver-
siye of personal independence, rs it was when
the other party enforced it.


The caucus, when held, developed some
thing marvelOusly like inharmOny among the
harmonious Democracy. The object of post
poning the adjournment resolution was to
afford time for the passage of that wonderful
piece of Democratic craftsmanship, Mr..
Woods Tariff Bill. But it turned out
that some members of the party are ac-
tually in favor of an adjournment SO as
TO avoid the necessity for voting on, and
the danger of passing the bill. Several mem
bers expressed an unalterable opposition to it,,
notwithstanding its being a Democratic meas
ure. Mr.. Mills of Texas, however, was very
decided in its favor, and went so far as to say
that he was willing to stay in Washington
until the Day of Judgment IN order to obtain
relief from the present unequal taxation and
the passage of fair revenue law. Precisely
what good purpose he proposed to effect by
the passage of a tariff, to go into operation
after the Judgment Day, he failed to make
clear; but his willingness to stay i'll Washing
ton till that time is not doubted. There are
several others equally ready to prolong their
stay in Washington so long as there's n dollar
in the Treasury and their names are on the
payroll. Other differences were developed
during the discussion. Mr.. Willis favored an
early adjournment, although he approved the
Wood tariff bill, because he thought it wise to
adjourn in order to prevent any foolish fnan-
cial legislation to hinder resumption, now SC
near at hand. Mr.. Ewing fared up at once al
this suggestion, and charged Willis with being
the representative of the Fifth Avenue De-
mocracy and bondholders. who are sucking
1.-the life out of the country He was not be-