New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1857-01-03

| the great body OF members. They are not legs-
lators in sny true sense of the term, and take 40
responsibility 70; the general business 0: Legislation.
! Often coming for q single Congress they hardly get
| TO consider that il evsr is their watch on de.k
Copsid, ring Themselves green hauds who are going
shore at lie end of the frat voyage they snfk
both work ana responsibility to The greatest extent
they are able. Esoecialy is this the case ja,t as
their time is expiring. Whist do they care for d
bill that has been smuggl>d through at the heel Of
their dying session They oever come back 10
share the responsibility or incur the Odun Of it.
1t is not their watch on deck. They have gone
ashore and never expect to set foot on the deck Of
the craft again.
What is the remedy generally suggested Sr this
and other evils growing out of this want of stable
and genuine legislative character in Congress, Il
is to give members long terms Of service. But the
constituencies won't do this. There are too many
pushing men in every Congressional District who
have their own particular fish to fry, who repu-
date the doctrine. A place in Congress is reck-
Oned to be berth for the individual and not post
for public service. And no other view Of the case
can be beat into the heads of rising and ambitious
young patriots, who are dying to serve their cOun
try in general aid themselves in particular. And
as it is with the Members of Congress so it is to
agtea' extent with aI1o the E1sGatise n.;;aists.
.srcfsffoers 81 Congress are rotated out of Office
" lille they are yet mere apprentices of legislation
and Heads of Departments are served In tue same
wsy. In everything else but the business of gov
eminent it is held that practice s requisite to make
a proficient But to manage feet and ADJUST the |
regulations of navy; to 90 TO the head OF De-
ment having one hundred thousand agents and SUB
ordinstes. like the General Post. Office; to take |
charge of the Public Treasury, and discharge
the numerous and comprehensive and responsible
functions belonging thereto, TO go 10 Congress ann
egislate honestly and nteligenty, any politician or
LAWYER is deemed sufficient for this. "Why,' SAID
late Cabinet Minister distinguished by every
ouslity that adorns humanity and commands ADM
ration among men, "why am | wanted TO MI tnis
"post can 90 on to the street and blow morn,
"aud every man who shall hear it is as well fitted
for the place as | sm." This was the honest
confession of a man eminent enough to own the
truth. But little men in Congress aud little men
in Administration will make no slcb, to them, be-
Hitting confession. But all experience ofpubllc al
fairs attest the essential truth conveyed in the dec
laration, as applied to the grea! body of individuals
in the Legislative and Executive branches OF the
Government.
But is their no remedy, or must even the best OF
Governments be for ever poorly and shabohy,
and inefficently, and irreSponsbly conducted as
this one now is We must hope for better tune
coming at least 1t would seem that the necessity
Of the case would ultimately command remedy.
II will unless man shall for ever show himself TO be
the inefficient controller Of his own fortunes be has
thus far in history generally exhibited himself to be.
BY way of contribution to this eId esteem IL my
duty to make a suggestion. know no better way
10 reform the evil 80 far as Congress s concerned,
than by the establishment Of body of seliappolated
LEGISLATORS at large who shall, on their OWE hook,
without pay, and in the spirit of martyrs, dAl'y
superyse aud thoroughly and accurately investigate
and analyze every act Of Congress, day by day to
the end of their liyes and make public record OF
their dongs. Such body of men, removed aoo'e
| the sphere of vulgar motives never working Tor
| paw, never trembling at the fear of being turned
ont and never huffed because they have been, but
| simply living and working for the public good,
might do a world of service to their country
Who volunteers to be representative TO Con-
press at large on this basis Come on, ye patriots
e JS.P.