New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-16
A REVIEW OF THE SESSIONS woRK-THE M
PORTANT MEASURES THAT HAVE been
PASSED.

A REVIEW OF THE SESSIONS woRK-THE NJ
PORTANT MEASURES THAT HAVE BEEN
PASSED.
WASHINGTON, July 15.-Congress has received
so much and often such deserved censure for its
garruousness waste Of time, and demagoguery that tie
people have got the impression that very little valuable
public esation has been adopted during the long
sion which ended at noon to-day Yet glance over ts
sessions work will show this belief to be unfounded N
reality, it is long time since many important meas
ures have been passed and much general business
transacted in single session. Legislation cannot be
judged by its quantity and bulk for q single import
ant bill may require time in its CESSATION
and birth than fifty minor measures combined.
Looking at the results Of the session with this fact
in view Congress has no reason TO be ashamed Of the
fruits Of its months labor, and the Republican
party ought not TO fear the verdict OF the people upon
the acts Of their representatives in the National Le ~
ture. cannot the space Of this letter. 60 into
tails OF the work done during the session. but desire
mention the leading measures which have been placed
upon the statutebook, and which must make I'm great
part the platform upon which party will 90 before
the people at the coming Fall elections.
FUNDING THE DEBT.
carefuly-matured Funding bill hJs been passed,
after very full consideration, which, il goes into full
effect, will s26OOOOO annually OF the interest the
public debt and consequently lessen taxation by that
amount.
REDUCTION OF TAXATION.
The whole Internal Revenue system has been changed
taxes amounting TO the enormous OF sixty millions
annually. All vexatious special taxes have been abo
shed and nothing remains but the tax distilled spirits
malt liquors. tobacco and cigars, the stamp tax and the
incomes The latter has been considerably anne.
Horated and saved from merited destruction only by
the stupidity Of certain country Congressman who mag
inc that the tax is popular with farmers and mechanics
who pay part OF it.
REVISION OF THE TARIFF
Important changes chiefly in the interests OF Protec.
ton have been made in the Tariff laws large number
of articles used as raw material for American auuf,c
lures have been placed upon the free list her with
many unimportant articles which only numbered the
schedules without producing enough To pay ot
its collection. The Tariff tea coffee and sugar has
been reduced so per cent which lessons the daily
household expenses OF the people matter OF especial
consequence TO the poor and all in moderate cir,u-
stances. The whole reduction in the Tariff is estimated
at S300OoOoO, which, added 10 the amount taken from
Internal Revenue makes the total reduction in taxation
effected by the legislation Of the present session nes
millions Of dollars.
ECONOMY IN APPROPRIATIONS.
Since the beginning OF the there has been no such
trenchant and at the time sensible reduction i'm the
expentures OF the Government during the session OF
Congress just ended. Every item OF appropriation has
been rgdy scanned, and the estimates OF the Depart-
ments reduced nearly twelve millions and these reduc
tons have been made judiciousy in no way 10 EN-
barrass the operations OF the Government Ii should lbs
credit OF this good work. for the Senate loaded most Of
the appropriation bills with extrayagant amendments
which only the lrmness OF the House induced them 70
abandon.
BANKING AND CURRENCY LEGISLATION
BY the new Currency bin the needs OF the West and
South for banking facilities will be met and bank
rency TO the amount n seventynne millions distributed
IN those sections, greatly stimulating business long
step has also been taken In the direction specie pay
ment by authorizing free banking upon gold basis and
the full investigation made into the great NewYork gold
panic has resulted in such exposure as will
prevent repetition of that dsgraeeful affair.
RECoNsTRUCTIoN.
when congress met in December the states OF virginia
mississippi Texas, and Georgia were stll held under
military rule. All have sHce been admitted 70 rprc-
senaton aud reelothet With all the power OF states In
TIE Union This, 1t Is fuc. has been done somewhat
bnnglngly but Il h. aoUompnshed al Last. Legislation
has also been adopted 90 eniO,c hc Fifteenth uud other
amendments, and insure TO all cizens thr exercise II
the right OF suffrage rASre . sIgoasII Al AeG ten