The New York herald., 1864-12-05
The Rcnssembl,ng OF Congross- rho
Bustnesa OF tho Seaston.


The two houses of Congress reasonable TO-
day. 1t is the drst day of the closing session
Of the Thirty eighth Congress, and the 4th of
March, till noon, will be the last, when this
Congress expires 1t is q session limited to
three short months for business, and, accord
ingly, beyond the heavy schedule of the ap-
preparation bills, we cannot expect that much
general importance, and lengthy catalogue
Of local and private bills, a considerable bud.
get of unfinished business lies over from the
last session. This budget will probably be at
tended to while the standing committees are
preparing their reports and bills of appropria-
tions for the ensuing fiscal year.
The most conspicuous and important Of these
which has passed the Senate by the required
two-thirds vote, submitting to the Legisl atures
OF the several States proposition so to amend
the constitution Of the United States as to de-
clare within the limits and jurisdiction thereof
the institution Of slavery abolished and forever
interdicted. This resolution was put to the
test last June In the House of Representatives;
but though it received . large majority, it
failed to secure the constitutional two-thirds
who believe that rs this issue was involved in
the Baltimore platform upon which Mr.. Lincoln
has been so triumphantly reelected, it may
now probably be passed. 1t is assumed that
at least portion of the democratic minority,
taking the results Of the late election as en-
bracing an approval by the people Of the pro-
posed amendment, will vote for it as under
instructions from their constituents. We en-
tertain q different opinion; but should the
experiment still fail before the present Con
gress it will unquestionably be passed at the
first session Of tho next, whether . regular or
extra session. Not much time, therefore, need
be wasted upon the subject this winter.
Another unfinished bill is that which contem-
plates the shipment Of Europeans to this coun
try in national vessels, their transportation to
the public domain in the great West and aid to
them otherwise, the government meantime to
have lien on their property. Some such mea-
sure as this, to enable US to ill up the waste
places Of the war, would be o good
thing, Notwithstanding that facetious German
born philosopher, c. Godfrey Gunther, opposes
II tooth and nail. Another Senate bill pend
Ing before the House is bill to collect direct
taxes In the insurrectionary districts Of the
United States. This bill, we think, should be
modified, SO As to apply to the States reclaimed
from the rebellion; for the collection Of taxes
in insurrectionary districts will At best operate
unjustly, oppressively and unproftably.
Among the House bills unacted upon in the
Senate is bill to secure the speedy transpor-
tation Of the mails. Good. A bill to aid in the
protection Of emigrants to the territories.
Good. A bill to facilitate the payment Of bouu-
ties and the arrears Of pay due our wounded
and deceased soldiers Very good. We hope
all these bills will be passed. The bill to
secure to persons In the naval and military
service homesteads on copfiscated or forfeited
estates in insurrectionary districts is . more
delicate measure. and involves question not
only OF expediency, but Of consttutionality,
which should not be hastily considered. As for
the bill to ascertain and adjust claims against
the government for injuries or destruction OF
property by the military or naval authorities,
il ought to be passed over to the next Congress,
inasmuch on IL may be so framed as to add
from hundred to thousand millions TO the
national debt. The severest checks will be
needed against an inexhaustble placer Of cor
ruptions in this business Of indemnities for
losses sustained by the war.
The joint resolution relating to the Maxi
milan monarchy in Mexico should be passed
without hesitation. Macmillan has been in
Mckee long enough, and ought TO have for
NAL notice from Congress to pack up and
leave. This idea is In tho Baltimore platform,
aud was endorsed by the people in the late
Presidential election. Let Congress respect
and obey the popular will. Louis Napoleon
will understand what il means, and will be
glad enough TO back out. He has too many
irons In tho fire, anyhow.
The rectisc,tion Of our budget OF taxes,
duties W imports, &C., and some little patch