Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-02-28
The Last Days OF the aoth Congress

II now seems probable that the 39th
Congress will close without settling but
few Of the great National questions on
substantial basis. The financial meas
ures which the people had expected
would be perfected have thus far failed
Of the fixed policy that was demanded
by the condition OF the country. The
reconstruction question is settled for
the present should the President return
the bill in time for Congress to take
action and pass it over the forthcoming
vote. The amendatory tax and tariff
bills are still pending. The former has
passed the House and gone to the Senate
for their concurrence, which will with
out doubt be given. The latter, Mr..
Morrill, has endeavored to get into
committee OF conference, which the
House refused, and the fate of the bill
continues doubtful. Mr.. Sherman has
introduced an important proposition for
funding the National debt and for is
suing per cent. bonds payable. princi-
pal and interest, in Europe upon which
there can be no probability Of action
this session. The bill to substitute one
hundred millions Of legal tender notes
for the eigthty-one millions Of compound
interest notes falling due this year,
which is practical imitation Of the cur
rency to the extent Of sixty o. seventy
millions of dollars, will fail in The Sen
ate, and the best interests Of the
country demand it should, as it is ret
rograde and mischevious scheme which
will put lust so much additional cur
rency into circulation. Therefore it
will be seen that beside the selfacting
reconstruction bill, should it eventually
pass, but little has been practically aC-
complished the present session, and but
little can be expected in the four remain
ing days judging from the present tenn
per Of Congress.
The moment the Speakers hammer
falls at the end of the seth Congress, the
Clerk Of the House takes the gavil and
calls the 40th Congress to order. 1t is
conceded that Mr.. Colfax will be elected
Speaker for the third term, which will
be compliment without precedent in
the history Of the Government. There
are but two or three instances where q
presiding officer has been twice elected.
Sc ri mo
arian and understands thoroughly the
rules of the House. Mr.. Mcpherson, the
present accomplished Clerk, will with
out doubt be continued. The Senate be-
ing a perpetual body, does not elect Of
tfcers at the commencement Of every
Congress, and no vacanies are created,
only filling those occasioned by death or
resignation, and has heretofore elected
President Of the Senate pro tOrnt2 to oc-
cupy the position OF acting Vice Presi-
dent in the event Of the death Of that
officer. The Senatorial term Of Mr.. Fos-
ter, the present incumbent, terminating
on the 4th of March, it will become
necessary to elect President, which
will probably be either Mr.. Fessenden Of
Maine, or Mr.. Wade Of Ohio. How long
the first session Of the 40th Congress
will continue it Is impossible to predict.
and depends very much upon the cendi-
tion Of the public business at the close
of the present session. We had hoped
much Of the present term, but have been
disappointed, and have reason to believe
that the next will inaugurate some
practical measures that will relieve the
country from its embarrassed condition.