The Portland daily press., 1869-10-26

D >.
pseet,ng of Congress.
Sixweeks from yesterday Congress will reas-
semble Never before in our history did the
necessity and opportunity of salutary and
efficient legislation so happily meet We are
rid of the disturbing, paralyzng influence of
presidential election. Both branches of the
national legislature are in hearty accord with
the principles and policy of the administration,
aud with the repeated expressions OF the pop
ular opinion. The members are as assured OF
their own hold of the confidence OF their con-
stituents as they can be, if that emasculatihS'
enervating dread of losing a reelection is
ever absent from the Congressional mind.
The organization of the Houses and the con-
stitution of the important committees, both
of which ordinarily occasion delay, and is
made the pretext of throwing away the
three weeks intervening between the COM
mencement of the session and the Christmas
holidays, were happily accomplished at the
extraordinary session last spring.
There is nothing to prevent Congress from
setting itself to practical and necessary work
without the pressure of an expiring term to
crowd the business not half matured into
the night of third of March. 1t is remarka-
Bile to observe how large part of our statute
laws bear date the day before the constitution
al expiration of the term of the service of the
Representatives, Senators and President. 1t
would seem as if either the end of the politi-
ba Of bn1J +1.o
of Congress were not well chosen; that an
important session of the national legislature,
busted with its deliberations and in the very
act OF maturing permanent laws, ought not to
be liable to be interrupted or hurried by a
sudden privation of all its legislative func-
tions, and that there would be decided ad-
vantages in having the political year more
nearly correspond with the fiscal year, which
ends on the 30th of June, and to which time
all the revenue accounts are reckoned. There
are reasons doubtless why this was not done,
which have never occurred to us.
There will be less than the usual dsposi-
tion to indulge in mere political and partisan
debate. Somewhat exhausted with the fierce
and protracted discussions OF the stump, men,
bers will be inclined to courtesy and cathol-
city of views. With indications everywhere,
tina the old eroch is ended. that men are
feeling their way to new positions and new
relations in the new questions of a new age,
that the issues upon which the country has
been convulse ed tor the last twenty years. slave
ry and secession, the anti-slavery Union party
have achieved clean, whole and ultimate tri-
u nph, members will refrain from assailing the
pitience of the country with controversies
lat have become merely historic. AS they
sly in the French Chambers let us pass to
the order of the day, which is, to deveope in
fitting institutions and under just laws the
liberties we have achieved.
We may as well reckon among the settled
things The payment, principal and interest in
veritable money, of the national debt. 1t is
evident that no party can malptain itself upon
any form of reputation, and now that the
national debt seems so easily borne, and to he
in way of paying itself almost in spite of
Congress and the law, the thing that will
most please the public creditor, and most re-
lieve the public debtor is to prevent its being
paid too fast and too soon.
Last Congress was virtually lost, in an
abortive attempt to get rid of an incompetent
and treacherous President. Had it been sue
cessful, it would have been salutary for the
country, and more salutary as an example
But being prevented it was time and effort
thrown away. All measures were canyassed
last year, not in view of how they would af-
feet the prosperity of the country, but how
they would influence the election of General
Grant. Now the fortunes of no incumbent
In the office or expectant of it are involved in
the action OF Congress, who may sit down
sedulously to study what is necessary to re-
instate the national prosperity, to strengthen
the national credit, and to promote the com.
mon good or the people.
We have no doubt that both the President
and Secretary OF the Treasury will earnestly
-----------, -->- ~ ~o.-o. ess' carry
circulating medium based upon and redeema-
BILE in coin, as the primal measure of all finan-
cial reconstruction. Because it took ENGLAND
twenty years to get back to specie payments
is no reason why it should take us moro than
ten years. 1t is fast approaching ten years.,
since we had currency based upon coin.
10 w" "o0au'U all Regular fave-- -un so,o
weeks? seven
All the contingencies upon which an at
Tempt 70 return to specie was promised have
occurred. Wait till the floating and over due
aeots Oh the government are paid They have
all oeen paid, and the Secretary having moth
ing else TO do with surplus revenue is paw
ing the bonded debt. Wait till our bonds ap-
preclate in Europe. They have appreciated in
London to within per cent. of English con-
so's Two years ago the difference was 20 per
cent Wait till gold goes down it has repeated
ly gone down to where l. stands now-1. 80. and
can evidently go no lower without some honest
ofer OF resumption. Wait till the South is re-
constructed. IL has been. Wait till we have
had good crops. We have had a magnificent
one, and breadstuffs are cheaper in gold than
they have been for twenty years. The South
is rejoicing in abundant cotton and throngs
the New York markets with cash to buy
goods, as she did not even before the war
Wait now for what?
Should such recommendations come from |
the executive, Congress, now for the first time |
Since the war in accord with it, will be dis
po'ed TO respond, and in the place of the |
deadlock that made the last four years so dis
astrous, we shall have Congress and the Pres
ldent working together to relieve the public
burdens, and stimulate the depressed indus
try OF the country.
Political Notes.
1T IS stated that at the recent election in
Iowa there were not ten straight" tickets cast