Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-07-17
CONGRESS-

In GQ9 DSualC, ySSLSlQay' q SliA SHA-SANAoS
the customs, commercial and navigation laws
over Alaska, aud establishing a collection dis
trict there, was passed. The House joint reso-
lution TO extend the time for the collection Of
the direct tax in the late 'insurrectionary
States until January /, 1859, vas agreed to.
Mr. Conness unsuccessfuy endeavored to have
the Senate take up the bill for the protection
of the rights Of American citizens abroad. -
The Ipdian Appropriation bill was then taken
up and discussed until o'clock, when recess
was taken.
At the evening session MIR. Hendricks en-
tered a motion to recall the bill restoring to
political rights certain persons IN the Southern
States, having learned that 1t removes the dis
abilities of the Radical members OF the Geor-
gia Legislature, but not OF their opponents
He wished to have it reconsldered and endea-
vor to correct these unjust DETERMINATIONS.
The Indian Appropriation bill was then pro-
ceeded with up to adjournment.
In the House of Representatives, the con-
tested election case of Switzler vs. Anderson
was again discussed Mr.. Benjamin, in the
course of his remarks, charged the contestant,
Mr.. Swizer, with disloyalty. This the latter
denied, and made counter charge against the
was referred back to the Committee on EIec-
tons, with instructions TO inquire into the
charges against both parties. Mr. Schenck,
from the Committee Of Ways and Means, re-
ported back the Senate Funding bill, with
sundry amendments. The amendments pro
posed to strike out the section providing Tor
bonds of three classes and providing tor one
long bond, to run for forty years 65-lOO IN
terest annually. The words ''othcr than the
existing 5 per centum bonds are stricken out
Of the first section, and this allows the new
bonds to be exchanged for all classes OF United
States bonds. The section is further amended
to provide that the issue shall not exceed
$3.50 OOO, 900. The Senate bill proposed $780,
100000. The third section Of the Senate bill
in relation to gold contracts is stricken cut, and
section is inserted providing for the CONVEX
sion of greenbacks into bonds, or vicc UerS0.-
A section is also added providing that the tax
on incomes arising from interest on bonds or
other securities of the u. 5. shall be collected
when the interest is paid, and in like money ID
which the coupons are paid. The bill and
amendments were ordered to be printed. The
House refused to take up the Tariff BILL and
held an evening session tor debate only.
JoURNALIsM--In eight years the entire
range and method of the newspaper business
has undergone a revolution. First-class editors
now are rarer than first class lawyers Or doctors;
and first class reporter like a thing of beauty,
sis 10y forever" so rare is he. 1t IS a great
mistake that local reporting Is second-rate
employment. 1t is so considered because Sc
cond rate persons 50 often fill the local desks
on daily journal. But it is in reality a most
important position 1t requires tact, origin.
atty in dustry, discretion sobriety, good sense
intelligence, quickncss. Of course every de.
partment of a we'll conducted press calls for all
these excellent traits, more or less and there
fore it is harder to equip a newspaper than to
organize an army or officer man-ot war.
During the next fifty years the press will
plav the most conspicuous part in public affairs
It will be, what its sycophants have always
claimed for it, but what it has never really
been, the "fourth estate" The newspaper,
enlarged and every way improved, will supply
the public its daily mental food. There IS
little reason to doubt this. Anybody can write.
But writing is the least part OF journalism.
Journalism, strictly, is the science Of human
nature; combination Of action and the actors
art, at once ref :ction and the thing itself
The really able journalist must be not only
man of thought, but man of action.
also. He only is useful who can work at night,
give up society, subordinate his personality to
his craft, consider himself, while on duty, as
man on voyage, bound to serve out a certain
time. A newspaper is, indeed, ship at sea,
and almost always in storm. The pillows Of
popular passion arc out there on every side,
Settling and loaming. Keep her steady to
the wind, and there is no danger; but it Is
fearful to try to run against the current or in
the face of the wind; and the least insubordi-
nation or inebricty or lack Of skill Oh the part
of officers or crew may be tatal.-L0ulsrlAc
Journal ... .... 49,. q, E.p.