The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1870-12-07
sPIRTr or THE PRHsa.
editorial Opinions ofthe Leading Journ ale
upon Current Topics Compiled Every
DAY for the Evening Telegraph
CONGRESS AT WORK AGAIN.


From the N. Y. Herald.
On yesterday, under fair auspecies the
weather was bland aud beautiful as in Sep
tember-and with full attendance of mem-
bers, the third or short session of the Forty
first Congress of the United States was
opened. Both houses were called to order
precisely at noon, in the presence of un-
usual throDgs of spectators, and with an evil
dence of interest on the part of both MEM
bers and public that aIgured we'll for the
work to be done That this work is not
likely to be idly deferred Mr.. Sumner dis
tinctly indicated in the Senate by introduce
ing financial bill to promote and facilitate
return to specie payments by gradual and
natural processes, consistent with the ext
gencies of the Government and the
business of the country. The bill itself
we shall have abetter opportunity of discuss
ing after the organization of the standing
committees, to which 1t will in due course be
referred. But we are glad to see that the
subjec before the country which is the most
prominent, important, and pressing, is thus
insured the earliest consideration. The re-
peal of the income tax after the Ist of Janu-
ary next was also put at once into the fore
ground by the bills of Messrs. Cole and Cas-
serly, of California, who, representing both
parties, as they do, are agreed upon the ne
cessity of removing a burthen whish cripples
the enterprise of their young Commonwealth
Notwithstanding all its vigor and resources
A few bills of less import, but all looking like
earnest business, completed the days work
for the upper chamber.
The House of Representatives, also, had
a genial and pleasant meeting and after hear
ing the Presidents Message read, referring
the report of the Secretary of the Treasury
and passing bill-the first, therefore, of the
session-to supply an omission in the latest
Indian Appropriation bill, ad journed at 3 p. NJ.
Thus the new session is fairly launched,
without any sign of collision or unpleasant
ness In any direction, and We sincerely trust
that the good humor of the first day may con-
tinue to its last, The amount of business
accumulated and craving performance is
heavy, but with full Congress few, if any.
of those whose seats are now vacant, and the
earnest good intent that should now amin ate
all parties and the representatives of all Sec
tions, the task Is easy enough for patriotism
and craftsmanship. The contrast afforded
by the condition Of our great country and
that of distracted Europe should impress
itself upon our legislators, and nerve
them to the labor that still remains
to be done ere we can consider
our prosperity consolidated and our future
secure. The nation begins to feel fresh life
in all its veins; it's monstrous losses by civil
war are being rapidly made good; its wound,
are healing; its numbers and wealth in
creasing with fabulous rapidty, while, as the
message of our Chief Magistrate reminds us
bounteous Providence has ever blessed us
''our basket and our store A moral duty O.
the highest order devolves upon us, then, no
only to profit by these advantages ourselves
but to set the example of their proper usu
fruct to other nations. There should be in
telligence enough in the American Congress
to comprehend It's high mission, and we avail
its performance at this critical and eventfu
time with earnest confidence