New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1866-12-14
CONGRENS.

We hail the passage Of the District Of Columbia
Suffrage bill as one evidence that the Senate has
hearkcned to the voice of the people. Long debate
there has been, and much needless delay by rigorous
construction Of technical rule. II seems dicllt for
the presiding officer Of this decorous body 10 under
stand that rules are intended to facilitate not
to obstruct its business. Mr.. Foster following the
lead of Mr. Reverdy Johnson last week laid over the
Suffrage bill for six days, and four other days have
been consumed in discussing measure concerning
which no new thing remained to be said. Al last,
even Mr.. Cowan got tired Of dilatory tactics,
and Mr.. Ganet Davis tired himself by
speeches which long since tired everybody
else Mr. Salisbury had paraded to his own satiaac-
ton his we hope Patonic love for the negro race,
Mr.. Foster concluded his dissertation on Connecticut
schOol.houses and the Senate by vote of % TO 10,
passed Suffrage BILL based, as our correspondent
well says, on no other qualification than loyal man
hood. A the House last session passed bill ilenti-
cal in principle with this, we trust there may be no
dissension about details, any further hesitation in
the enactment Of measure that long since ought TO
have been sent to the President, and then speedily
passed over his inevitable veto.
For so much evidence of what may hereafter be
hoped from the Senate we are grateful II gives us
sincere pleasure TO find among the thirteen NEGATIVE
votes but one that requires to be reckoned as Repub
lican Messrs. Cowan, Dixon, DOolittle, and Norton
many months ago ceased to have any right 10 that
honorable name. Mr. Foster has not. as they have,
betrayed his party; his present divorce from them
is therefore a matter OF fresh regret and but
FOR the near close Of his term might
demand from US a more pointed repuke than We have
leisure TO give at this moment. 0mitting his name,
the majority is compact, and the unanimity Of the
marty eOmpels us 20 ask what has become of Mr. Will
sons excuse for the delay OF last session Mr. Wilson
affirmed on Wednesday that enough men could not
then be relied upon TO override the Executive Veto IL
is lame excuse at best, but in view OF the vote today,
which. with absentees who may be counted upon is
abundantly strong TO dispose of Mr.. JohnsOns mega
tive. what explanation has Mr. Wilson TO oferi VIII
he oblige as with the Of Senators who last ses
sion were known TO be weak this suffrage question,
and who this session reckoned both sound in doc
tripe and proof against Executive Establishments
We make the inquiry most seriously. The Senate
stands in position which the country does not very
| clearly spprehend, but which it is much ndined
TO criticise, sud, as !, appears TO US, justly to
criticise There never was Congress which
the people were entitled to hold TO account
| more strict than must be rendered by the pres
ent This Congress resumes its duties under what
may be called special instructions With much filter
ing, with many imperleetions, often With lack Of wis
dom and more often with pitabie defect Of courage
tho XxxIxa cOpgss fa yst in itaasA session