The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-07-16
SATURDAY, JULY 16, 1870.
THE LAST OE CONGRESS.

THE LAST OF CONGRESS.
HAVING early in the day yesterday postponed
the hour of adjournment from noon to
o'clock, both houses Of Congress at the last
moment agreed to further postponement of
the time of separation, and it was not until
in the afternoon that the finale was witnessed,
The cause of the delay was a message from
the President demanding for one thing some
definite legislation on the Indian question.
Without the passage of an Indian Appropria-
ton bill of some sort, the President argued
that 'Indian hostilities are sure to ensue,
and with them suffering, loss of life, and ex-
penditures vast as compared with the amount
asked" This was forcible argument, and
it brought both houses to terms. There had
been a radical disagreement between them on
the Indian question, the point in dispute
being the power of the Senate to conclude
treaties with the aboriginal tribes which may
take money out of the national treasury with
out the consent of the House. Several
millions were needed to fulfil the
obligations entered into by the treaties
negotiated with the savages by the Sherman
Peace Commission since its appointment in
July, 1867. The House, having at the outset
authorized the appointment of the coLnmis-
sion, had steadfastly set its face against the
power of the Senate to control the Indian
question through the agency of treaties;
while the Senate had been equally persistent
in asserting its power. Hence the collision.
But, in answer to the demands of the Presi-
dent, both houses finally yielded few points,
and before the adjournment yesterd]asfEi - -
compromise was agffefma ai5f manipulating the red
asRs in the interests of peace, with the pro-
viso that nothing contained in the bill shall
be held to affirm or question the validity of
the treaties of 1867 and 1868. So the Presi-
dent gained his point and obtained the money
he had asked for, while the vexatious question
as to the right of the Senate to monopolize
the Indian business under the treaty-making
power goes over for settlement to the next
session. All the other material measures
pending on which there were disagreements
between the two houses were likewise dis
posed of satisfactorily, and when the Sena-
tors and Representatives took their leave of
each other yesterday afternoon their labors
had been terminated as fully as usual at the
end of a session.
The Presidents message, however, was
mainly taken up with another matter. In
view of the impending conflict between
France and Prussia, he urged such legisla-
tion on the part of Congress as would enable
the transfer of vessels of foreign build TO the
American flag to be made. This proposition
was in direct opposition to the established
policy of the country from the first, and, as
was to be expected, encountered violent op-
position. After considerable discussion IN
both houses the adjournment was effected
without action, the opinion being prevalent
among Senators and members that there was
no necessity for hasty and ill-considered
Legislation upon the subject There can be
no doubt that, if Congress had listened to
the appeal of the President, few
days would have witnessed the un-
furling of the Stars and Stripes from
the mast of every Prussian mercantile
vessel ahoat. This, of course, would have
been good thing for the American CONNER
oial marine. But, as stated by Judge Kelley
in his speech in the House yesterday, the
shipbuilders of the Clyde would probably
have been the first to avail themselves of the
privilege conceded, and the result would have
been an utter prostration of our ship-building
interests for years to come. While a carefully
prepared measure, looking to the interests of
all concerned, might have been passed if
Congress had had enough time at its COM
mand to perfect it. the wholesale accessions
to our tonnage resulting from such bill as
that prepared by Senator Chandler would
have been SO disastrous in their effect that
it is well nothing in the matter was done. II
is possible that our postal intercourse with
Europe may be somewhat incommoded by
the operations of the French navy, as we are
almost entirely dependent for ocean mail
transportation at present upon vessels flying
the North German flag. But if the war be-
tween Napoleon and Bismarck should prove
as short, sharp, and decisive as were the
campaigns of Solferino and Sadowa, the in
convenience will prove but temporary one;
while, in case Russia, Austria, Spain, Eng
land and all the rest of Europe become in
volved in the struggle, it will be so protracted
as to give Congress- an opportunity to afford
some relief at its next session, which COM
mences in little more than four months.
ULTRAMARINE DEMOCRACY.
JoHN BRowN's soul may still be marching on,
to the regret andperplexity of the Democratic
h,1t hos