The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-03-06
Results "f the Session.

dome the country as MuOn service by It's
lection of measures as by those which have
aotually passed. 1t has been a SAFE and
withsl, useful session. 1t has shown more
moderation than its predecessor, and a more
lust appreciation Of things to be omitted and
things to be DONE
The maintenance of the Reconstruction acts
as they are is feature Of the record at once
agreeable and unexp xpected. There was loud
4eIk last December touching an alleged neces-
sitv for reOpeniDg matters in Georgia, and for
eusoting more stringent measures for the res
foration of Virginia, Mississippi and Texas. 1t
vTas feared that desire to correct the mis-
cbievous action of the Georgia Legislature
uouId lead to proceedings at variance with the
fact of its reconstruction; and that the con-
dition of Texas and Mississippi would be made
the pretext for more stringent legislation.
These apprehensions have not been verified.
Georeia has been allowed to remain, as in
trnt6 it is, a State fully restored to the
privileges of the Union; and the States still
excluded are left to the operation of the ex-
istinp laws We cannot doubt that these will
prove sufficient for the purpose to be fulfilled.
They have brought back seven States, in spite
of the bad influences OF a hostile administra-
ton With this obstacle removed, and an
Executive in hearty accord with the law and
the policy in which it originated, we may
hone for an early completion of the work with
whose history the Fortieth Congress is identi-
fed. At any rate, the session now ended has
earned credit for forbearanoe, and faith in the
efficiency of the law as it stands.
Failure to give effect to the compromise
movement in Virginia, and to promote the
revival of good feeling throughout the South
by some generous and comprehensive mea-
sure in regard to disabilities, is defect that
ought not to be overlooked. By sweeping
away remaining disabilities at a stroke, the
majority would have fulfilled the magnani-
NOUS promise of the Chicago Convention, and
tad tho auapicion whioh attachas m tha
relief of individuals who come endorsed by
noisy partisans. By accedipg to the proposi-
tion of the Virginia committee, and either
eliminating from the new constitution its
proscriptive provisions, or calling together
fresh convention to draft another instrument,
Congress might have secured the early resto-
ration Of the State and done much to win the
respect and confidence of its people. The
friendly reception extended to the committee,
and the general fairness of the Republican
leaders, encourage the hope that something of
the kind will yet be effected.
The only positive action in any manner
connected with the principles underlying re-
construction is the adoption of the fifteenth
amendment, forbidding the denial of the
right to vote by any State son account Of
race, color, or previous condition OF servi-
tude." The enactment of the amendment is
by implication a repudiation of the ultra
doctrine that would confer upon Congress
power by mere legislation to control the suf-
frage. And the amendment, by guaranteeing
Impartial instead of universal suffrage, leaves
all that is vital in the authority of the
States untouched. Whether it fail or succeed
now depends upon tbs will of the States
themselves.
To what extent the popular demand on the
subjsct of retrenohment has been met il IL
difficult at this moment to ascertain. GER
tain confusion still hangs over the final con.
ditiOn of this branch of the business. This,
30 fai aNo ak rak,
have been made with an energy that betokens
reduced expenditures. The injudioious ten
dency OF some of these efforts is pardonable
in view of the good that has really been
accomplished. Army expenses have been cut
down in way not incompatible with efficiency,
and generally desire has been manifested to
correct the extravagances eDgendered by the
war The fact that much is yet to be done in
the direction of economy should not blind us
to the savings already effected.
The reduction Of expenditures has been rem
dered more significant by the refusal to tole.
rate schemes promoted by railroad and other
'rings." The peril to the Treasury has been
great. In half a dozen forms attempts have
been made to pledge the public credit and to
squander the public lands for the enrichment
of corporations. To some Of these schemes
Senators have lent themselves with most
suspicious zeal, but the frmness of Congress
has prevented their consummation. The
ing results of the session.
On financial questions the course pursued
has been practical, and on the whole bsne-
ii ial. Little encouragement has been given
to plans for legislating back specie payments.
That which has been most persistently pushed
is Mr. Sherman's, and we may we'll be thank
full that 1t slumbers in the Senate. The eOun-
try will be glad to have resumption when it
comes naturally and to last; but there is a
wholesome aversion to contrivances which,
nnder the plea of promoting resumption,
would enlarge the debt, and inhict upon in.
dustry the evils of contraction. For all that
is really useful in the matter OF finance we
may thank the House. The Public Credit
and Coin Contract bill and the bills remedy
ing the abuses arising from the certifying Of
checks and the locking mp of currency as
collaterals, were born in the House, and con-
stitute the financial features of the session
Another measure not less necessary-namely
that forbiddiDg the increase Of the bonded
debt, preventing the jobbery and scandal o
treasury agencies, and imposing upoa thu
treasury the performances of its own duties
has been sacrificed in the Senate Committee
For this non action Mr.. Sherman is mainl.
responsible.
Foreign matters have been the occasion
much bunoombe and not few absurd pro
posals. There have been "proteotorate
schemes without number, and unlmite
''sympathy" for peoples supposed to be OF
posed. Little that is tangible, however, cali
for mention. San Domingo has not been ser
ously touched; Ireland and Canada are su
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