The national Republican. [volume] (Washington City [D.C.]) 1866-1870, 1868-01-06

OonRress meets to-day ~ twelve O'Clock, and
II Is expected that It win enter at once upon the
work before 1.-THE readjustment Of the imam
cial policy OF the Government. Governor CHAM
BxRLAIS, Of Maine, has struck the key note in
his message to the Legislature Of that state. He
says there must be an Industrial and financial,
a. well as political reconstruction This IL
true, and the question of political reconstruc-
tion nor President making can push aside this
pressing Issue Of the hour. In all parts of the
country the people as well as the nnanciers are
deeply and nightly stirred, and they will not
brook with patience much longer delay. II,
therefore, Congress set itself ct work In earnest,
fully determined to give to the country such
legislation as will relieve, in q measure, the
heavy burdens upon business, and start the
wheels Of labor and productive industry, II will
be well; otherwise II will not be well. stagna-
ton, disaster, and almost illimitable ruin will
overtake all the business Of the country. In
such an event, the dominant party will be swept
from power by hand mighticr and more rclent-
less than any ever yet laid upon the head Of
doomed, misguided, and faithless political organ.
ization.
In our article Of Saturday we alluded to the
hopeful prospects ahead which presage the re-
vivai Of healthy and profitable business. Our
calculations, a. well sour reasons for this faith
were based upon the statements which came to
US In the papers OF the great Cities and upon the
promises which Congress has given Of speedily
doing something. Should that body delay Its &C.
ton or fail to meet the wishes of the people
promptly, squarely, and satisfactorily, the proc
poets which now look so cheering will be
changed to darkness and despair, and the future
OF business no prophets ken can penetrate or
make plain. Much, then, very much, depends up
on what Congress shall do, and do early in the
session.
The chief difficulty in Congress in the way of
prompt legislation will be found In this, not
that there Is not wisdom enough in that body to
discover what 10 needed and provide the remedy
but that there are SO many men there who desire
TO make speeches upon every proposition that
comes up. Without the least doubt there are
speeches enough already prepared to All volumes.
All these must be trotted out and ventilated be-
fore any practical results can be reached. In the
meantime the business community, and, In fine,
the whole nation suffers. How much better It
would be IL these orators could have liberty to
print, and the business OF legislation to 20 on.
eThe absurdity OF this speechifying business IL
made apparent when this fact 10 stated, that
there 10 not probably single one Of these gen
tlemen whose mind is not already made up a. to
how he shall vote on the question. II is q rare
thing that speech, however able, influences q
single vote. Why then should proposition be
belsbored to death when nobody is to be ben
enteu py itj especially In times like these, why
should there be this delay In reaching the proper
legislation which the country urgently demandsi
For instance, Mr.. Sherman's funding bill is we
observe, severely criticised In financial quarters.
One complaint against 1t s that II will cost Sll-
100000 IN commissions and other forms of profit to
convert our present form of debt into consols
Here is field for debate, and many Senators will
desire to speak to the question. II II 10 not
likely to pass, let II be amended, or new bill
introduced. What is the use of the Senators de-
batting this bill for weeks, and then Withdrawing
1t to begin anew. Does not every Senator know
how he will vote on this bill to-dsy-and will any
number Of speeches change hisvotei We believe
not. But what we have said above may be
looked upon as simply fault-hnding, while we
fail to suggest anything like remedy. Let us
see, therefore, what Congress can do that will
afford relief and that speedily or so soon as II can
be known that these things will be done
They can fund our different forms OF debt and
avoid the charge which Is said to lie against Mr..
Sherman's bill.
They can put an end to the frauds which exist
In connection with the collection OF the revenue
upon tobacco and whisky, and thus save to the
Government at least Oh, 100000.
They can retrench In many ways They can
reduce the army and navy nearly, II not quite,
one-half, cut down expenses, and dismiss that
notion about speedy payment Of the national
debt. They can reduce the taxes at least
tlOo,ooo,O0o.
We say that these things are practicable; and at
this juncture they are far more important than
reconstruction in the South or President making.