New-York daily tribune., 1842-12-03
The Meeting of Congress.

oress commences at Washington on Monday next.
Being restricted by the Constitution to duration
of three months, with q moral certainty that II
il TO be succeeded in December next, (if not soon
er. under Presidential csl!,) by Loco Foco
BODY we trust that its attention will be early, ar,
dently devoted to the maturing and despatch ci
the important business which demands consldera-
ton and action. The Members aIe now SO well
acquainted with each other, and with most OF the
topics which will come before them, that the delay
even of single week must be unnecessary, while
he who shall undertake to postpone all action until
the close of the Holidays, as is usual, should be
regarded as an enemy to the Public Welfare. We
trust toe second week will see all the important
pirate Committees, except such part of 1t as shall
have been already reported for action.
What Congress will do at this Session it might
puzzle prophet TO foretell. There will OF course
be systematic, untiring effort the part of the
minority and the Guard, to stave off all defni-
tive action whatever, so to leave the Public In
terasts as unreservedly possible at the mercy
of Loco Focoism in its approaching career OF
power-yiolept and brief we confident 1t
will be. To this end, Wise will rave and Benton
thunder through as many tedious hours as poss-
bic, while questions Of order and bills introduced to
be lost will fill up the n-rstices of time. But this
game must be met and defeated Acton-viger-
GUS, concerted action-must be the rule of the ses
sion. Every hour that our opponents can waste will
be wasted, and then charged, as usual, to the &C.
count Of Wig indifference to the public disresses
trang, disregard Of the public interests efforts to
head Cuptain Tyler sc. Forewarned, we should
be forearmed.
Wo presume an ostensible effort to repeal OF
unsettle the Protective features of the New Tariff
will be made at this Session, more feint and
a means of wasting time than with any serious
hope of success. Ofcoursc, it cannot succeed;
but it ought to be put down at once, and most en-
phatcelly 1t should not even be suffered to go to
the Committee of the Whole. There are probably
some holes picked in the New Tariff by ingenuity
and experience these will be stopped, of course
but no opening of the main question should be in
dalged for moment. IF the enemies of Protec
tion really desire to overthrow the Tariff, let them
wait till their own Congress assemblies when they
can have full swing.
We wish we could as confidently hope for the
right kind of action in regard to the Bankrupt
Law. but we cannot We fear that law is doomed
m exhibit at this Session another evidence of the
instability of popular legislation, that fruitful
source of the deepest National evils. The bank
rupts of 1874 have procured discharges from
.he legal obligation 10 pay their debts, and they
care little about it, since its future operations are
ra,ber against them ss a class than in their favor
Thav will no longer besiege Congress with Pe-
,;ens or with personal representations of the JUS
tice and vital importance of National Bankrupt
Law. On the other hand o large number OF per-
sons have lost their legal remedy for enforcing de-
mands which, being against insolven,s, had no in
trinsic value; but no matter, they hoped to screw
something out of the nsovents yet, and they curse
Congress for dissipating that hope hen there
ia a far greater number who have seen rascals and
prohigates evade the payment OF their just debts
by making sham transfers of their property, false
ewearng. &C., leaving their honest and deserving
creditors to suffer- often adding insolence to rob-
be,y-and these, ,oo are set against the law. We
fear, therefore, that it will be repealed; and yet
our conviction was never clearer that II ought no'
to be. Let it be amended and be made strin-
gent as you please, but National Bankrupt Law
ia bene6csnt, is most necessary for two distinct
purposes: first, to relieve the unfortunate insoi'
vents from the grasp Of inexorable creditors next,
70 enable the creditor 10 collect his debts OF able
but unwilling debtors, who hold on for ever TO their
assets, sustained by State relief laws, stay laws,
and other pernicious contrivances, hoping that
their property will improve in value. The mis-
chief of the Bankrupt Law nearly all con-
uected with its retrospective operation; It's bene-
fits. if it be preserved, will continue to be iell
moro and more palpaby in the restriction of base
less credits and in the prevention OF those lnclte
nents TO kuavery known as compromises, assign
ments suspensions, &c. 1t will be a sad DAY tor
the Country when the Bankrupt Law, instead OF
being preserved and perfected, is repealed; and
ye. We fear it will be at the coming Session. AT
all events, Loco.Focoism will endeavor to waste
time the question of its repeal and that should
be prevented. IfCongress aciH repeal it, with or
without reason, let time be wasted in hearing
arguments which will have no effect. lie, the
vote be taken and the law demolished. Its over.
throw will create necessity for its rs-enactmen,
before many years, to be reached only ,h.sug .ur
MOL and convulsion.
The Land Distribution, we suppose, mus, be
left in abeyauce this year.
That mos, rig hteous, republican and eouitabl,
,rovsion of the New Apporton:nen,-,he reouisi
,;on tha, Members of Congress shall be chose,
tbroushou, the Union by Single Districts-.pust b,
vinaicated and enforced. Several States hav,
manifested determination TO nulhty its require
.,..,;,o ,ha,,salres m the conte uptibl