The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1870-07-21
viii there be an Extra Session .

viii there be an Extra Session
The question Of an extra session of Con
eress is very widely discussed by he press
and the public. We learn that it was also
considered at meeting of tho Cabinet on
Monday afternoon, and that 1t was agreed
by that body that If any move upon Cuba
should be made by France, an extra session
should at once be called.
The necessity for au extra session Of Con-
gross grows cut'of the universal dstrust Of
the Executive. There is not man in the
country-we care not to what party he be-
longs-who really believes that HAMILTON
FISH is competent to conduct our foreign re-
lations in such a crisis as has now como
upon the world Mr.. Frsu is destitute of the
intelligence. the character, and the knowl-
edge that are Indispensable for such duty
This universal feeling of distrust is greatly
intensified by the fact that his son-in.law,
SIDNEY WEBSTER is IN agent Of the Span
ish Government, and has been in its pay
and also by the fact that his Assistant Secre.
tary, J. C. b. DAVIS, has been proved by the
Legislature of Massachusetts, to be guilty of
receiving brides. In addition to these rea-
sons for denying all confidence TO an Admin
istration with Mr. FISH at It's head, Is the
accusation broadly propounded and never
denied, and which can easily be proved be
fore proper investigating committee, that
the State Department has for months boon
practically conducted in the interest Of ring
Of spectators, who have expected to make
sixteen millions for themselves in the shape
of commissions upon the purchase of Cuba.
II Gen. GRANTS Secretary Of State had
been man worthy Of his place, this wide
spread uneasness respecting the conduct of
our Government, which now controls the
mind of the country, would not exist. But
this is not the only cause which has rem.
dered the Administration impotent TO manage
Sie public business. The navy is most impor-
Int arm Of the nation, and its importance ia
greatly increased when a foreign war is at
hand, threatening TO spread over all Europe,
struggles. To the navy Congress at its re-
cent session allotted barely money enough IT,
make snow u necping our national vessels
m repair, not enough TO put them into such
Q state OF efficiency MS O war would require.
The reason Of this was not that Congress
was indisposed to appropriate whatever was
indispensable for the public service. Had
there been at the head Of the navy Score
tary in whom the public and Congress could
have confidence, the appropriations would
have been sufficient; but Gen GRANT has seen
Git so to construct his Cabinet that it would
have been an open violation Of the Official
oath of members had Congress put under
the control of the Department n single cent
that they could possibly withhold. The
result is deplorable, no doubt and if the
country should be compelled to take any
part in the war, or 10 exercise any cxtraor
binary protection over our merchant vessels
abroad, there is no question but that an cx.
ira session would have to be called, in order
10 provide the means.
But this is the fault Of no one but the
President. His absurd attachment 10 Ad-
miral PORTER, whom nobody trusts, and his
persstency in keeping him at the head OF
HE navy, in violation of the spirit of the law
If not Of Its letter, constitute valid reason
why Congress gave to the Navy Department
such inadequate appropriations. This con-
dition of things will continue as long as the
President insists on retaining PORTER. II
he wishes the people and COMPRESS to give
him their respect, he must justify the wish
by conducting his administration in accord
knce with common sense; and there can be
no greater violation of common sense than
70 have two men al the head Of the navy
and Admiral PORTER the chief of the two.
The only practical object Of an extra ses-
zion will be TO reconstruct the Cabinet, and
10 appropriate whatever money may be nc
eessary TO put the navy in an efficient state
In regard TO the first OF these two matters, IL
properly Lelongs to the President; but he is
30 Indifferent to public opinion and 80 slow
% act, that II 10 not impossible that an extra
session may become Indispensable before he
has taken the step necessary to render i;
useful that is to say, before he has appoint
cd new Secretary of State who will be
satisfactory TO the country, and a new Secre
tary of the Navy who will be able TO manage
that Department without being put under
such guardian as PORTER. After he la.
cone these two things. Congress will doubt
lefs De ready to grant to the navy whateyc
sum may be requisite to render it perfectly
efiic eut; but until the Cabinet has beer
chan gcd, NJ extra session can be Of az,
practical advantage
Sylvia Howland's WIZ.
In July, 1865, Ia the city Of New Bed
ford, State of Massachusetts, an elderly
maiden lady named SYLVIA ANN uowLAEI
died, leaving behind her property to th'
amount OF moro OHM two millIons Of dnlln-s