Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1869-06-18

Errors Of emission.
Perhaps the most conspicuous mistake Of the
10th Congress was its failure to improve the
excellent opportunities that arose to settle tech
meal and long-disputed questions. We give il
full credit for devotion to the negro, for placing
reconstruction on an equitable basis, and for
thwartng the plans Of Andrew johnson. These
things are Inscribed on a record Of which that
body may Wei be proud. Where there is
so much to approve in the general course Of the
last Congress it may seem captious al this day
to criticise minor details. But the errors Of
which we are TO speak are wholly inexcusable,
because they were the result of mere careless
ness. The wise statesman viii leave nothing as
precedent that be can settle in the form Of
positive enactment
The first great mistake Of this body in ,he
order both Of time AMI importance, was the con-
-lusion Of the Alaska purchase without def
mite and final settlement of the respective pow
ars Of the House aud the Senate in the rat.-
ication Of trelties. The question Is, eau the
House OF Representatives exercise its discretion
in regard to voting money 10 carry out treaties
which the Senate has duly ratified. Since tAe
organization Of the Government the subject has
been often and ably discussed Perhaps the
most valuable contribution was the mastery
speech Of Fisher Ames. who took strong ground
against this claim Of the House Other promi-
uent lawyers and statesmen have advocated the
other side. It is clear that if privilege Of tAi,
kind be granted to the House. that body and no.
the Senate Will have the real, because the final,
power over an treaties that require appropria- |
ti0ns Whether this was the intention Of ihe
authors Of the Constitution Is not made known
in the instrumen; itself, and cannot be learned
from the debates that preceded It's adoption. It
is, Of course, misfortune that question Of thi-
sort was not precisely determined in the Con-
sututon, but this does not palliatc the
conduct Of subsequent Congresses that bad fair
opportunities to settle II, and refused As long as
the question remain open il IS aa endless source
Of complication and annoyance Inallidou to
the confusion which il causes ut home, dis
trust of the integrity q o1r Government is |
awakened abroad This was freely expressed |
during the delay caused by these congressional |
.--.----.-.. e1-+..-
ii D.,
III. ,,..r...-...-. r.-,. ..........
-. -. IT,. --
81
...-..-......'t .,-+-.--r-
49,.
''
.''i l'''i'1- u. IL per
- No., ''''' ' VI '''' ''.' o''''- DD. '-'
o1'7''le pressure was SO strong that after show
~" .-,- ''' ID --'. ',''',' tH' I-.'-
49, YIN '''-''''' anu WV --'''
f-5.--
.,...,e, ~. g..
..5...,..-.....'.-.---.......
.'-''''1 i'.i''
''-'S'.. '''''' ''''.'', '' Il '1''' i5i"als ny
''''' "''. .' -''' INC l''i'7 are -'-'
'el III 'ne particular Chains oi The House
anu '''ii''' ''H III '',. general harmony 'l 'le
..r.,,.. -. ...,....-..r -. ..-
Mil brl IN. ia1, c.r.r.s. rss,..r.-,-.. c.r IN
ina, 70 .s.,..i.
Another ar,.r.Ypirv yr,. ,.s-si ,+ ,r.s..r-.-
ing Of the Electoral vote, last Spring cur
readers sill remember tie objections raised H~
Gen. Butler IT one stage .f,hs proceedings. and
the ii--r,csf1r scenes which f.rlawcI Tb-s.,r-
fusion Wa. ..ir, IN rt4 indefinite ,bs,,.,s- .r
fine law rs-,-,,;.- ,,e .sssr.Ir, TIN, .v,..-.
-Br. If tfs ;.in, ....i.n i mo-. ss.e-,,i,.l .-l
-bs ro,y.r. and relations If ,i. t,,, uo,... .-
IF II. ,,-.,sr-,-,ty We .r. MOT .,r,-, .i.
,r.,iso i..,,. ,i..l. Go. p-,r.- ..,-...i -
/. f.ra ,,;.el I'm, II i ,;.tlo T., -
ma. finn. ...l .,...1.,I
vi..r.r Cav, p...,.,... ...-..:..