The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-22
Congress Ycsterday-Gencrnl Amnesty
Again Deferred-The One.Term Principle
In Omce-MOre Light Wanted.

In Once-NIoro Light Wanted.
| The discussion on the House bill of last
session granting general amnesty and grace to
all persons implicated in the late rebellion
occupied the Senate all day yesterday; but
We regret to say that the time was spent, not
in action. but in talk, and that that great
measure Of peace and good will, whose pas
sage would have been so appropriate to this
Christmas season, has been deferred until
after the holidays. The case Of Mr.. Vance,
the Senator elect from North Carolina, had
something to do with the failure of the bill,
because there Is a manifest desire in some
quarters to prevent his getting seat in the
Senate. Mr.. Logan referred to that fact in
some remarks, in which he spoke of
the buttonholing of Senators by per-
sons who were advocates of general
amnesty, but who, for the reason
intimated, did not want to have the bill passed
at present. And thus, through some contemp-
tible motives of personal or partisan hostility,
the Amnesty bill has miscarried in the Senate,
with no great probability of its being passed
for months, or perhaps for years to come.
Mr.. Sumner seems to be OF the opinion that
with all the matters of inquiry which have
been retired to the Committee on Investiga-
ton and Retrenchment that body may still
have some idle time on hand, and in order
| that that shall not be so he has devised still
another matter for its consideration, and that
is as to the leasing of the Bay of SANTANA by
our government, and as to the sources from
which the money paid on account thereof has
come The Senate gratifed Mr.. Sumner to
the extent Of ordering the inquiry to be
made, but with the understanding, doubt
less, that the party who prefers the
evidence to substantiate 1t. Mr.. Sumner owes
it to his own character and position to be
ready to make out at least a prima tacie case
in support of this and the other charges and
insinuatlons against the President Of which
he has made himself the moutbpiece. If not
he will have placed himself in an unenviable
position before the country, and will deserve
fitting rebuke from the body of which he is q
member. The other proposition which Mr..
Sumner made in the Senate yesterday is one
for which praise rather than blame Is to be
ascribed to him. 1t is joint resolution
proposing an amendment to the constitution
so as to make q President ineligible for q
second term. We agree with him that such a
provision would be long stride in the way of
civil service reform, although, perhaps, some
Of the reasons which apply to the Chief Execu-
tive are equally applicable to Senators and
members Of Congress. If the one is actuated,
in the dispensing of patronage or In his official
course, by ambition for recollection, will it
be denied that the others are equally SO? We
think not. But however the one-term princi-
pie may be decided, there can be no doubt of
the necessity of such reform In our civil SER
vice as will remove the question Of appoint
ment to or retention In Office entirely away
from the influence Of politics and politicians
With such q reform effected the main argu-
ment against second term In the Presidential
Office would lose most Of Its force, and the
constitutional amendment proposed would
even be measure of doubtful propriety.
The order Of the day In the House yester-
day was what has come to be technically de-
nominated speeches for buncombe." Some
half Q dozen members acclaimed in turn to
empty seats and galleries garnished only with
negroes whom the cold weather and want OF
employment drove there.
Both houses have adjourned over till Mon
day, the 9th of January.