New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1870-07-09

gaspng Congressional gangs III the last herce tug or leg
isiaton To merely watch them, they do and undo is
too guing and exhaustng for my slender of
durance.
one piece OF House legislation has seemed
very singular to say the least 1t is the vote TO lay
the table the bill for confirming the pregmpon claims of
Messrs. Hutchngs and LamOn in the Yosemite Valley
claims dating previously TO the cessOn Of the valley TO
the State of California, and fully recognized by that
State To woman, politician, partizan, non
voter which, of course is next to nonentty, this de-
NAL and deprivation of the rights of brave and hon
est settlers not only cruelty unjust but absurdy
inconsistent, following It did, just the heels OF
an affirmative vote the bin TO homesteads TO
actual settlers the public domains Mr. Julian, the
chairman of the Committee on Public Lands, very
earnest and faithful in sustaining his report, and in ad
vocatng what he believed just and reasonable demand,
but all OF avail Mr. Sohenck wished to dispossess
these settlers who unfortunate enough to have
taste for beauty and souls to be impressed by grandeur
and chose their homes in that wild and wondrous
place, because he said there was possibility that
they might construct there places Of resort and amse
ment" and even "ager-beer salOOns; their small
tracts Of land for agricultural purposes Now, all this
tender anxiety for the beauty and order of this wild
pleasure ground thousands Of miles away, seems to me
little strained and ridiculous, when look on the for
lOn uncaredfor condition of Capitol grounds,
that for years have been reproach to our Gov
ernment There drinking saloons, Schenek!
not in the possible future, not hidden in
mountain gorge of the Sierra Nevadas but in the y
ing present" here, within stones throw of the Capitol
On any day Of the session may encounter your
brother Congressman the flank road to run. There
are constant relays Of them Should you demonstrate
with these gentlemen, on such questionable proceed
ng protest against the dissertation Of these sacred
national precincts they might answer pertneny or inn
pertinently Because thou viruous shall there be
cakes and ale" These same Capitol grounds are
also made Of for agricultural purposes. have seen
cows grazing the unprotected terraces and hogs eat
ing of the refuse and garbage thrown out from the res
taurans under the and Senate where such things
never should have Their establishment is desc
Grafton, their continuance is disgrace They VIII yet
make that grand building smell like miserable old
tavern, poison its atmosphere, breed perhaps Ma
tonal Hotel" pestience and carry off of philan
thropc legislators whose charity begins and ends very
far away from home In of such melancholy vista
tion we must do our best to be reconcied to mysteri
GUS providence
II has seemed to me that there has been good deal OF
rash and random political action since Congress has got
into the rapids of legislation preceding the final plunge
Of adjournment. There the Bounty bill Of week or
ago. that went sailing trumphantly through to vote,
like chds toy yacht, without causing ripple or de-
bate, or striking bar of opposition, and yet it isa
measure which, am informed by high Government
Official will take than 100000 from the Treasury
Splendid acts OF national generosity like this, and the
startling prOdgality with which vast tracts Of land
granted to railroad coTpOratons-ands which may be
packed with precious ores-are explanations, perhaps
of the parsmony Congress in the matter of appropra
lions for the National Capitol and of the howl for
economy up when any proposal is made to raise or
equalze salaries to do away with any form of taxa
ton which bears especially upon the poor. -
When all other chances for pleasant excitement fail in
the Senate there always Mr. Sumnerto fan back upon
1t is always in order to attack him. 1t well that his
shoulders broad-that he stand good deal of
abusing be has stood a good deal of praising Mr.
Conkngs late onslaught was thought to be
rily If unbecomingy bitter and severe. Mr.. Conk
ling, like OF his brother Senators, Is IN state of
chronic rebellion against the authority of 1.-THE distin
uished Senator from Massachusetts," He believes him TO
be Opinonaed, obstinate, sefassured, and arrogant
puts his keen lance at rest and tilt at him
all occasions. If all the faults charged against Mr.
Sumner really exist it should in justice be remembered
that great talent great attanmens great services great
influence and great fame apt TO nOurish engender
just those faults There always peril to symmetry Of
character in One5deaism though the idea be in
itself broad and grand there is peril to amiaby Of
temper in constant, faithful struggle, for great
principles; there is peril to Christian humility in the
thusasm Of liberty-Oving youth, in the respect Of
thoughtful age in the tuneful adulaOn Of poets, and
in the blessings Of the poor and oppressed. All
these pers have beset Mr Sumner since he first stood
forth the splendid young champion of freedom ready
10 seal his devotion with his blood as the knight Of
chivalry, the apostle of higher civilization. 1t
seems to that such Of his political rivals as are
secured against these peculiar pcrs should deal gently
with the human weaknesses Of their brother MI Conk
ling is mercessly scathing and sarcastic, but bears
always in his speech too much the appearance Of
personal iwi and malice aiorehought to be thorough
y effective in his phppcs. With all their studied ele
gance they lack the grace of humor, and with all their
point the brilliancy of genuine wit During the debate
Of Monday night the Naturalization bill, after
Of slight confusion he gave utterance these playful
words Mr. President the Senator from Massachusetts
makes so much that cannot hear the reading Of
that rule and want to hear IT." Shades Of Randolph
Clay, COrwin, Fessenden what a parliamentary With
cism There things said during that same debate
boysh petuant rude things that would have disgraced
a debating society in a country schOO-house.
The Chinese question made all the trouble it must
continue make trouble and bring discord and perpex
ity. Oriental John is the " coming man." Gentlemen
may think they have given him the goby through cunning
enactments and compromises but he is in the great mae
strom political and social life and win around
again and again, always getting little the
ter Certain Senators displayed on that night zeal for
our blessed religion which most expected and edi
flying We naturally look forevangelca sentiments from
Senator Nye but hardly from Senators Stewart Cas-
sery. 1t was argued that Cinnamon were nveterate
uncOnverble heathens and dOaters-that they loved
their swarmng native land that they could be loyal
citizens of any other that they only left their country
for their countrys good"-that they would send home
their riches and even their bonesthat they would
tinue to worship Josh df that's his namel and would
want to put up Josh houses in midst Well, tseems
to me that if endure MOrmOnism, make
room for Josh-if can fellowship righam Young
we can tolerate Confucus To illustrate how these poor
Celestias welded to their pagan superstons, Mr.
Stewart told touching story Of Chinaman, in Cali
forna, who having had small piece OF his pigtathat
sacred symbol of his faith and natonatycut of by
rufan did actually, in his grief and notification
nit suicide What life TO him thus dishonored, thus
curtailed of his dignty9 The thought struck that
this superstition of unTegeneIate brother might
last desperate resort be turned TO account should the