Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1854-12-08

up small matters, gro wi ng ont of the fact that,
though practically contaminated under the
immediate supervision and instructions Of the
Chief Clerk, they must wait tho leisure of the
Secretary, who is always pressed with much
moro important business, under the law now
directing tho modes and methods of tho De-
partment. Since the Interior Department was
created, experience has hourly gene to prove
tho propriety Of this change; and as tho de-
maRds upon it increase with the expansion of
all our public affairs, it has become a matter
Of prime importance that its capability to an.
swer the calls upon it shall be as soon as pos
sible improved by the simple and economical
change in tho manner Of conducting its affairs
which the Secretary proposes.
Coal.-A month before the session began, We
took occasion to remark, upon information
which We had obtained, that Congress would
not be long, this winter, in making coal duty
free. We are now satisfied of the correctness
Of this opinion, from conversation with many
members from all quarters of the Union. Two.
thirds of the House at least appear to US to be
favorable to the project of the total repeal of
the duty. The effect of the Reciprocity treaty,
which is very soon to be in full operation,
will be to admit Pictou Nova SCOTIA coal
duty free, leaving coal coming from England
only, practically excluded by the present duty
upon it. Though it is not judged that the
quantity that would be imported from the
other side Of the Atlantic, were it in the free
list, will be large, still it is thought that to
admit it duty free will operate as healthy
check upon the disposition of the mining cap
italists to combine for speculation on the con-
sumer And, to effect that end, we confident
ly look forward to early action on tho part of
Congress upon this subject. Unfortuna tely, no
such legislation can have direct effect upon
the anthracite coal mining business, mas
much as we are its only miners in largo guam
titles. It is an article that is never imported
into our country at any state Of the market
Yet, if Congress will legislats so as to enable
the consumer to procure bituminous coal with
out paying an additional price through pro-
lection" accorded by the Government to the
miner, the practical effect will be to prevent
the community from hereafter being as much
at the mercy Of the capitalists engaged in
mining the anthracite as heretofore.
We trust that General Walbridge will push
his proposition from the start, and know we'll
that tho sympathies OF the great mass of the
country are earnestly with him.
Prompt Work.-The Committee Of WAYS
and Means appear to have promptly gone to
work, inasmuch as they have already reported
two general appropriation bills-the invalid
pensions and the Indian Department bills
and are understood to have ready for presen
tstion to the House, the military academy ap-
preparation bill. We trust that the other
leading committees of both Houses will follow
this excellent example, by crowding actual
business upon Congress as fast as possible, 60
as to check therein the never failing propen.
sity Of all legislative bodies to talk for the
sake of being heard, as it were. While we
have no disposition to SEQ the actual freedom
Of debate limited in the slightest degree, all
sensible persons will probably agree with rs
In saying that, for time out of mind almost,
tho great clog to efficient and bust ness like
legislation has been tho congressional habit of
speech making for speech making sake, which
crowds into the last hours Of the session most
Of its actual business, oftentimes to be finally
disposed Of under circumstances which render
1t physically impossible that all called upon to
vote on it can clearly apprehend all the points
involved in the vote they may be about to
give. The debate On tho Ostend resolution
looked to Us much as though the uouse were
about to spring at once into desultory and
re ally pro6tless debate, rather than to the
Of business. We therefore rejoice
that tho Committee of Ways and Means have
20 promptly commenced carving out real
legislative BUSINESS for the occupation of their
Honors.
SO They Go!-The spectators around Fort
Leavenworth, We understand, are carving
matters with a high hand They are said
actually to have pocketed 800, 900 for lots in
heir proposed city, upon the lands Of the In.
1ians, on the other side of the river, just Cd.
posite the Fort. We pity the green 'uns who
bavs paid over their money on any such pur-
chases. Tho sellers are said to assure the m
that they expect that Congress will certainly
enact some legislation by which their titles to
tho lands there, not the property of the United
States, will be made good. That site is upon
'sil guaranteed to the Indians by treaty. So
Congress, even if SO disposed, cannot divest
hem Of it, the Supreme Court being the final
Interpreter of the powers of Congress in the
premises. However, we have not the slightest
dea that any proposition to legislate away the
guaranteed rights of the Indians there, can
)ht ain ten votes in either branch NJ COnOrass