Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1826-06-01
THURSDAY, JUNE l, 1926.
From the National Journal, Mny so

From the National Journal, Moy so
We take advantage OF the hrst moment oil
leisure TO review, very briefly, but we nope
with all fidelity and candour, the proceedings
Of Congress during the session which has just
terminated A variety Of circumstances unit
ed to fix public attention and expectation on the
course and conduct Of the 10Th Congress, and
more particularly on its first session. Like all
the sessions which Immediately succeed Pres
idential election, it was 10 be presumed that
this session would exhibit blighted hope and
disappointed expectation, seeking solace as well
as strength in any alliances, however monstrous
and unnatural, on which hope and expectation
might fix their dying grasp, and 70 which they
could cling through all the agonizing process
Of dissolution. This alone was sufficient to
concentrate public attention on the late session
and when we take into view all the circumstan-
ces OF the last election, which defeated the
schemes, personal and political; OF thousand
young IIotspurs, who could see nothing less
than black iDiquity in any circumstances which
could throw them into obscurity: when we look
also to the strength Of the various parties,
tending, as they evidently were, before the SEES
sion, to heterogeneous union, FOR the purpose
Of opposing the constitutional chief who had
terests; it must be obvious that the people were
prepared to regard the course OF :heir Repre-
ssntatives during this eventful session, with
more than ordinary interest.
In another point of view the last session was
regarded as Of more than ordinary importance.
1t was well known that our expanding territory
our multiplying population, our growing com,
merce, our increasing manufactures, and the
prodigious Improvements which industry and
genius have wrought in our vast and varied
soil, and its infinite variety Of productions
that all these, and the numerous conflicting
claims and interests arising out of all, threw in
TO the hands Of Congress a abour and re-
sponsibility, Of which it was presumed that ell
eyated body was sensible, end from the consci-
entious and active discharge Of which it would
not shrink. The people, every where, from
Maine to the Floridas, from the Atlantic to the
Western frontier, reposed confidence in the
men they appointed TO represent them; it was
the duty oftaese representatives to look TO the
variety Of great trusts commi,ted 10 them, and,
forgetting private motives, and personal diff.
crences of opinion, to act with single eve to
the welfare aud the wishes Of that great people
whose agents they are. We do not say that
they have not so acted: We shall content our
ceedingso OF Congress during the late session,
and leave our readers TO form their own con-
clusionsg
II is well known to all who are conversan,
with legislative history, that the first four weeks
OF the session are usually occupied in the matu-
ring. in Committees, of measures which are TO
be subsequently acted on in the two Houses In
this incipient stage efsthe session, the Judicial
al. !.
GERS Of the revolutionary army, the bill for the
preservation and civilization Of the. Indian
tribes, the amendments proposed to the Consti-
tuition of the United States, the Bankrupt Bill,
and other bills of great general and local inter-
est, were digested and prepared. The bills we
have specified, with the subject Of the mission
TO Panama, constituted the important business
of the session. Let us see with what efficiency
Legislative action has been brought 10 bear upon
them. On the 4th Of January; the discussion
on the Judicial bill commenced, and on the
Goth il passed the House, occupying, with the
time consumed in discussing the amendment
Of the Senate, about fee weeks of the attention
ofthe House. This bill was succeeded by the
discussion Of the propositions of Mr.. M'DuF-
FIE to amend the Constitution, which consumed
the next se,en weeks of the session. The dis
cussion OF the amendment to the report Of the
Committee on foreign relations relative to the
mission 10 Panama followed in It's order, and to
this debate four weeks were devoted. When
this question was decided, the claims of the
revolutionary officers were brought before a
House irrita'ed by previous collisions Of opin-
ion, tatigued with discussion, and indisposed
10 &C, tremendously on any subject; they were
disposed o. in ahouti,so weeks; and resolu-
ton having passed. fixing on the 22d of May
for the adjournment Of Congress, the House
had only t,co weeks left to act on all the variety
OF business which had been excluded by the all
ronopolizing measures which we have speci-
fed.
1t thus appears that fee weeks were spent in
discussing the Judicial Bill in the House of Re
representatives., which bill was afterwards indsf.
nitely postponed:---seren weeks were devoted to
the debate on the Constitutional amendments,
from the further consideration of which The ST.
lect Committee icds ultimately discharged, ,ciihom
coming 10 any resua;-four weeks were occupied
In dispasation on the restrictive amendment Of
the resolutions of the Committee OF Foreign AT
fairs relative TO the mission to Panama, which
was finally rejected, and the appropriation bill
passed without reference to any resolutions
f,co weeks were allowed TO the claims Of the re-
evolutionary officers, which were land on the table;
so that eighteen weeks out Of the tscenty5our