Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1871-03-06
Letter from Washington.
lrRoM OUR REGULAR coRREsPoNDENT.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 9, 1871.
THE FoRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.

THE FoRTY-FIRsT CONGRESS.
To speak well of the dying is a well-knOwn
American trait. But though that is a custom
which is often honored in the breach more than
in the observance, in this case it is just as well
that we speak well of our departing legislature.
| Two OF three things have been settled by it
definitely. Each of those settlements tend to-
ward justice, progress and peace. Let us see
for a moment what has been reached.
1st As it seems TO me there is a stable finan-
cial basis obtained, or rather there have been
| put in train, causes which are producing il.
The honest collection Of the taxes and duties,
| though an executive work, has been honestly
sustained by congress, both in what it has and
in what it has not done. Then there is the
| funding law now in reasonable process of reach
ing successful operation.
ID. So there is the gradual but certain heal
| ing of a corrupt, ulcerous former Indian policy,
which congress has efficiently aided the presi-
dent to inaugurate. Within few days it has
put the last nails into the coffin of the lesser, by
the adoption of provision declaring that no
more treaties shall he made, by giving the power
and duty Of auditing Indian accounts to the
peace commission, by iorbidding the payment
of attorneys fees through government agents,
and more than all by the general and bene6cent
spirit Of inquiry which has been evoked through
the discussion. Perhaps the inquiry instituted
into Gen. Parker's management of the bureau,
might be counted as proof Of this, but its effect
is deprived of half its value to lie by belief
based on the examination OF the report ana
testimony, that the severe criticism oil the COM
A., -,
mission is not warranted by the commuters own
review; and further by what appears 10 me as
fact that the motives oil Mr. "elsh were NOT
| disinterested, but the result Oh anger at the
commissioner having carly IN MS adHlniStra-
ton crossed and defeated Mr. WelshS apparent
determination to rule or ruin the commission
| and bureau, and naturally suspicious spirit oil
medding and fault-hnding. Having in GER
tain way crossed MIR. Welsh's path during the
| recent Investigations my experiences were such
as to fully satisfy me that he could be exceed
ingly disingenuous, petty and spiteiul in temper,
and positively unjust in his mode Of action.
| However, this is aside from the general scope
of my letter.
3D.. And perhaps the best fact Of all is the
very evidently sincere desire for peace, in its
largest, human sense, which animates the
| minds of public men, especially Of the majority
in congress.
4th. Among the other good things which be-
| long TO the record of this congress- count the
introduction OF Mr.. Hoars bill for national edu-
cation, with the quickening interest and broad
euing discussion it has aroused and induced.
Whether Mr. Hoar's bill is best or not, it has
been powerful instrumentality towards max
ing this subject one OF vital Importance in the
minds of the people.
Again, | count as triumph, a feeling war
ranted by the attitude of the house, and the
general temper OF the country, that the land
grant and subsidy system has reached its eli
macterie in the passage Of the Southern Pacific
bill, and that the last acre OF public lands has
been given away for such or similar purposes.
Setting aside all questions OF its effect on the
general development OF the country, there can
not be the slightest doubt but that personally,