The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1867-03-09
The Forti.th Congress.
F5om the Nation

Thanks to the firmness of the Northern
people and the folly of Andrew Johnson, the
new Congress which has just assembled is
substantially the same as its predecessor.
TheIe are some new members in both Houses
who will add to their strength - such as
Messrs. Conkling, Drake, Morrill,, and Morton
in the Senate, and Generals Butler and Logan
in the House. The Democrats are also fortu-
nate in having got rid of Mr.. Jack Rogers,
and having secured the services of Mes3rs.
Brooks, of New York, and Holman, of Indiana,
whose long experience and wide acquaintance
give them an influence much beyond what the
strength of their party alone would warrant.
The decisive action of the Thirty ninth
Congress upon the great question of recon-
structiOn has relieved the new Congress from
the consideration of that subject for the pre-
sent, while the new law regulating the tenure
of office has put an end to the system of
prescription, the danger Of which was one Of
the inducements to the early assembling of
Congress. There does not seem, indeed, TO be
any positive necessity for its remaining i'll ses-
sion, unless Mr.. Johnson refuses to carry out
the laws Just passed over his vetO or unless,
irrespective OF that question: his impeachment
has been determined upon.
These two questions are probably closely re-
lated, and must be carefully considered in
forming any estimate of what Congress is
likely to do. If Mr.. Johnson is satisfied that
he is in any event to be removed, he is likely
to initiate the example of the unjust steward
in making friends where alone he can lind
them. Ia short, If he cannot escape iUpeach-
ment, lie may reasonably conclude that his
best policy is boldly to refuse obedience to the
laws just passed over his veto, believing them,
as he does, to be unconstitutional. Why
should he destroy all the hopes OF his Southern
friends by enforcing an obnoxious law, if he
cannot gain any credit with Congress by so
doingi 1t seems, however, to be settled that
he will obey and enforce these laws after some
fashion, though undoubtedly with no great
zeal; and we therefore infer that he considers
himself safe against impeachment for his past
actions
Nevertheless, we think we perceive signs
that he is mistaken in this assumption. The
election of Benjamin f. Wade to the Presi-
dency of the Senate is no slight indication that
a vacancy is anticipated in a higher office.
Mr.. Wade is probably the last man who would
be chosen by the Senate to preside perma-
nently over its deliberations. 1t has always
heretofore selected gentlemen of suave man
neTs, whose ambition was not suspected of
higher aims. Senators FOOte and Foster, who
have occupied the position of President pro
teaa. for the last five years, were men of amia-
bic character whom no one ever named for
the Presidency of the United States. Mr..
Wade is not noted for his knowledge of Par
! liamentary law. His manners are not par
ticularly gracious, nor his education such
as to adapt him to the Office of presiding
/ over an assembly of calm and self
| possessed gentlemen. Undoubtedly it is the
last office which he would himself desire. To
remain silent during hot debate will be in
tolerable to him; and indeed we can scarcely
believe that he will be able to keep off the
floor on such occasions. But if the present
Executive is removed, the choice of Mr.. Wade
is a very appropriate one for he has the energy
and courage necessary to face the possible
difficulties of the transition, and ability to
discharge successfully all the duties of the
Office to which he would thus be called We
do not mean to say, however, that immediate
action upon the subject of impeachment is
probable; for it is not. The Judiciary Com
mittee will resume the inquiry commenced by
the last Congress, and must occupy many
weeks in the investigation. The report of the