The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1846-06-23

What Has Congress Done What VIII II DO !
Congress las now been in session nearly seven
months, md the people naturally enquire what
has been done in that length OF time. That en-
quiry Is more easily answered than that in relation
10 what Congress in'ends doing. Three very i'm
po,tant things have been done The first is the
declaration That we are in a state Of war with
Mexico, fact pretty well known before Congress
declared it--seoond, an appropriation Of abou,
twenty five millions OF dollars to sustain this state
OF war; and third, the settlement of the Oregon
question We cannot but admit that these are
three very important matters; but these things
have been raised and disposed OF within the past
month which ,deducted from the aggregate, leaves
a balance Of six months, in which nothing has
been done, at least neither house have anything
70 show, unless IL be the passage of the lndepen-
dent Treasury bill through the House of Represen-
tatives.
With the exception of doings pointed out above,
the collective wisdom Of the nation have been
seven months accomplishing nothing. This is
something very extraordinary, even in the usual
\ course oil legislation in the United States and it
Il surprising, from the fact that there are so
many important measures before Congress, affect
ing every interest of the country, the disposal OF
which is so anxiously looked for
Both Houses of Congress are strongly democra-
tie, and it is therefore to be expected at least tina
democratic measures will generally prevail and
II would seem that with the large majorites in
both branches, there could be little difficulty in
carrying through at once every democratic mea-
sure contemplated; but there is a great absence
OF that harmony in the democratic ranks, which
characterized the party in former years. and gave
It so much strength in and out Of Congress. 1t is
that want of unity, that has for this session given
so much strength to the minority and prevented
the dominant party, nominaly, from carrying GU,
those measures which have from time to time
been agitated
There appears TO be n conservative influence in
both Houses OF Congress, which cannot but be
highly gratifying to every pure patriot. This in
ruence may at times prevent the passage of a
really good aot, but general thing, its existence
any political body is a guaranty that the nte-
rests oil the people at large will be better protect
ed than otherwise. In country like this, where
NE two great parties are 20 nearly equal, the mi
uority party has rights which cannot at all times
Do ramPled upon with impunity, and the fact OF
the'r having been 20 treated at times has pro-
duced these Pohucai revolutions, which have,
almost periodically. swept over the country.
we may, 10 nodsufe, attrloute the delay in
perfecsing aud passing some Of the most import
ant acts before the present Congress TO the
strength Of this conservative influence in both
houses, and while We regret the result, we cannot
bu, congratuase both parues that the cause is 90
Jus.
The most importan, bill now under considers,
uen, Is that in relation TO the raising OF revenue,
and me alterations and notifications of our com
mercialsystem. Party lines in this case are al
most enurely obuterated. and whatever changes
are made in the existing system, viii be made en-
treiy independent of party There are so many,
and such variety OF interests involved in this
movement, that u is impossible to tell what may
be the result OF the debate progressing in the
lover House Of Congress, but whatever it NAV
BE-, We have no fears to the effect, Those in .
isress which have heretofore required the great-