The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1861-12-23
Threc Weeks OF Con iyrcss-What II Has
Dome, WAatIt Has Not Done, and what
1t OSght 10 DO.

Done, WAatIt Has Not Done, and wis
1t OHght 10 DO.
Congress has been in session three week.
Its official acts have sosfai been of little import
ance. 1t is more for what Il has not done thai
for what ii hes done that it deserves credit. A
inc very Initial step of its proceedings mea
srres were intro suced, iniudicious at any time
ana calculated at this time particularly to worl
much injury to the cause Of the republic For
tunately for the country, Congress has ey .,4cet
avery Iaudable disposition to give these rr.a
sures wide berth; and if it persists in tlla
wise course Of policy tie session may come Il
a close withoat IFS having wrought any nationa
mischief which is more than can be said fol
many sections within tbs past half dozer
years.
Among tfse'rneasures iHappsopriatefy brought
before the consideration Of Congress we may
allude to few Of tao most prominent In the
Senate the Committee on the Judiciary WIS in
srncted to inyaire into the eypediency OF
asolishing the Supreme Court Of the Usited
SS4stes, and demonstrating it on aiaerent prin-
cipte The committee deemed the proposition
to be an injudcious ono at this time, and asked
10 be discharged froa, lis further consideration.
Tint was done. The EIdssc got rid Of the anti
sfevely resolutions inaoduced the first day of
tire session by Mr.. Eliat, Of Massachusetts,, by
referring them to the Ccnmittec on tho Judi
ciasy. IL laid on the table Mr.. Lovejoy's reso-
usicndirecting the President to recall that part
of General Halleck's orde -stirecting the c,-pui-
sion from his lines Of fugitive slaves. Another
resolution Of the same gent anan's, in reference
to tho eon6scation of AL property OF
rebels and the unconditional liberation
of their slaves, shared the same fate.
And when ttst model Of Otio patriotism and
modestyy Mr.. Vallandighany was induced,
through bis GDdisgused sympathy with the
rebels, to- Introduce resolution directing the
President 10 maintain firmly tho stand taken in
the arrest of Slidell and Mason, in spite of any
menace or demand Of the British government
The House crinced it, just appreciation Of the
motive Of the mover by referring the subject
against bis desire, to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs, theTote being 100 yeas to l6 nays. 1t
has also given temporary quetus. at least, to
the Homestead bill, by postponing its considera-
ton to the fist Monday in February.
So much for the negative action OF Congress.
Now for itsaiiirmatiye action. Both bodies have
got rid Of some Of their traitorous members
Breckenridge, Burnett. Reid, &c.--and will pro-
badly purge themselves Of others Appropriate
honors were paid to two deceased Senators
Colone! Bakcas of Oregon, who died on tie field
al n, IF
solemnities occupied two days sessions. They
have also passed votes Of thanks and paid ap.
propr:atc honors to General Lyon and his COM
mand for theirbrave conduct ut the battle Of
Springfield, anu, to Colonel Mnlligan and his
command for their heroic defence of lexington
The House has passed a bin OF doubtful pro-
priety, constituting volunteer military force
for the special defence OF The State Of Kentucky
independent Of tie regular army Of the Union
II has not ye. passed the Senate, we belle, q
and it is very questionable If II will or should
The House also adopted resolution requesting
the President to inaugurate system for the cx-
change Of prisoners with the rebels.
The House hrs passed the following bills Of a
public character Providing for the eonstrac-
ton of twenty iron-clad steam gunboats which
are to cost over half million dollars each;
the fnvalia D,..-:~- -~--~-- ~..t 'te
Consular :md Diplomatic Appropriation bill;
a bill to a,Sthotize the payment Of troops mus
tered into service 81 MissoIri; an arpropria-
ton bill Of d MILLION Of dollars for gunboats in
the Western waters; an appropriation bill Of
Sl5o,000 to complete the defences Of Washing
pr ~,
nrnsatc the sNnefs Of the British ship Perth
shire for hcr unwarsantcd detention by our
blociading sSuadroIA: bill to promote the
efficiency Of tla.dfa& Letter branch OF the Post
Office Department, By providing for the return
of all dead lett excepting circulars and worth
less matter, ~ thoia writers
Among the iaattess introduced, and not yet
definitely actea.on hs either house are the fol-
lowing A hill. to, abolish the Thanking priyi
lcgc; Il bin taabolisa slavery in the District of
Columbia; a> rcsnsMsion, introduced by Mr.
Stevens, oa ansylsania, declaring that there
can he no Sold; permanent Union so long Is sa-
very exisae, hat al slaves he declared free, and
SHAT congregation. b. made to loyal slave own
lors rcsa!naioas reported by the special COM
Nlittcp or. ItsNSLHiE CODIFdclS. renee ing Sc
vcrcly -. blt aGs geing SO .ar rs to rec qn,mcnd
The inaeaak.s4tiS Of, The Secretaries of 'glr and
OF th's.NsyY There are various othe y ma tiers
pent s0g bostaa committees; but as 'ley are in
an adorned. condition il is needle 10 specify
the a..
% rauch as 10 waat Congress hs,s not done,
aia:t to sshat ii has done. Now a- few words
as to- waat il should do. H. should al
sr.n iv,m to-day till this day fassnieht. then
aect, proceed cXpeaitioasiy to 'r,sincs-, pass
I tie " sal appropriation bills, sI,apt the iaans
cial lseasur..s that viii be rccl Il aendcd b. the
Secrsnry OF the Treasury. ai;sasc honesty aat!
iagetialiy of the resolutions Il censure ycnsrt-
Ell by the Investigating Comxasatee on Contr.st;
aes adjourn by the middle 81 February cr Tie
beginning OF March Ii thsH sonld consult he
! welfare Of The republic, les Jhem avoid all Inca
| sprcs not practically p, &or dvcisio' before
| them. Let them drop tto aissor FOR this session
| at least, keep their hanis clear Of military
movements, and leave IT, affair Of the Trea, to