The Sun.
London, England, 1867-02-02 00:00:00

Recess Committees.

Acts of usurpation on the part of the legislative
branch of the so-called United States have become
so common that they have almost ceased to attract
attention. When their legislation runs counter to
what is popularly known to be a plain provision of
the Constitution, or when it notoriously tramples
upon the absolute rights of individuals, a very slight
remonstrance comes up from a small portion of the
Northern press ; but much oftener no notice what-
ever is taken of what in England, would be consi-
dered ample cause for changing the administration
by force of arms, if necessary. These legislator's
possess two faculties which probably have not been
vouchsafed in the same degree to any law
makers since the days of the Legislative
Assembly of France : The faculty of believing
without a reason, and of hating without a provoca-
tion. To be convinced of this, it is only necessary
to observe the character of any given day's pro-
ceedings in Congress. It might be a source of
amusement, but certainly not of profit to hear from
the leaders in this action their individual views on
Government, as expressed without collusion. We
venture to say they might all be found in the
" Utopia" of Sir Thos. More, or in the" Don Quixote"
of Cervantes. All of their enactments are the
offspring of tastes and passions ; reason and
experience are unknown to what might
facetiously be called their deliberations. The
committees appointed by Congress to sit during
recess fully exemplifies their thorough disregard of
the dangers liable to result from such precedents.
One sent to New Orleans, another to New York,
and others remains in the city of Washington—an
for the purpose of carrying out partisan views and
aims. Not one to look after the interest of the
people whose money they squander and whose rights
they trample under their feet. During the sitting
of the twenty-seventh Congress, and under the ad-
ministration of President Tyler, this subject Nog
fully canvassed, and the reasons against the establish-
ment of such committees were found to be insuper:
able. It was urged that no warrant could be found
for them in the constitution, and practical reasons
against them presented themselves more forcibly
and numerously as the question was examined'
The danger of degenerating into faction and
favouritism was seen to be imminent. Committees
might be appointed to perambulate the Union--a
the short sessions, for nine months in the year";
spending their time idly, or engaged in political
objects--drawing the pay and mileage of members
of Congress all the time, with indefinite allowances
for contingencies. If one committee might be se ap-
pointed, then, as many others as either house might
choose ; if to perambulate the United States, then,
all Europe—constituting a mode of making a tour et
Europe at the public expense. All Congress me'
be so employed ; but it was probable that only the
dominant party, each in its turn, would so favour
its own partisans, and for its own purposes. The
practical evils of the measure augmented to
view as more and more examined ; and, finally, the
whole question was put to rest by the decided sell!°
of the house, only 62 members voting against tue
motion to lay the proposition on the table, not to 1)45_
taken up again. In those days wise men made oil!
laws, and a happy, prosperous, and peaceable peoPl
had cause to be thankful that the unclean gods °
faction were not openly worshpped in the ilegisla:
tive halls of the nation.—M emphis Weekly Appeal.