The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-06-22

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passed in the general public interest
if Congress had not dallied and pro-
crastinated, until the popular discon-
tent took such shape that, late in the
session, some relief was found imme-
diately necessary. Whether wisely OF
not, the junta controlling the conduct
of affairs have been bold and positive.
They have directed a general business
of Congress solely with view to in
f1uence the nomination and reelection
of President Grant, and stopped ut
nothing which seemed to fortify them
selves and their chief in power. No
Congress since the last violent days
OF the rule of the slave oligafchy has
been so disgraced by the violation of
rule, precedent, and every principle of
Justice; and never before has there
been so clearly developed the danger
Gus and alarming possibility of con-
splracy between the President and a
compact cabal in the Senate to sub
i vert the liberties of the people, con-
ceal the true condition of public af-
fairs, and centralize Legislative, judi
clal, and executive functions in one
small organization.
During this, term, about five hum
dred bills have finally passed both
Houses OF Congress and becomes laws.
OF these, only four or five are of much
national importance. The House and
Senate each early began revision of
the Tax and Tariff laws; and, after
infinite discussion and delay, they
succeeded in passing bill which did
not outrage the sense of the country
SO much as was feared of it, and de-
stroys many of the stock grievances
of the Free Traders. 1t reduces the
duties on salt, iron, coal, lumber, and
the staple manufactures, and on ship
building materials. 1t was said that
discussion on the yexed questions was
closed thus for many years, but it is
sure to rise again with another Con-
gress election. There were attempts
to continue the Income Tax indeti-
nitely, but the House of Representa-
tives, particularly, stood manfully by
its determination that the tax now
under collection should be the last of
that unpopular impost. Another i'm
pOrtant measure was the adjustment
of the popular representation in Con-
gress on the basis OF the Ninth Census.
The Apportionment bill was judicious-
~ framed aud carefully and thor
oughly discussed as finally passed.
1t has been Ill the main acceptable to
the country. Great hopes were enter
tanned that this Congress would final
ly end the long civil war and let It's
have peace in the form of Universal
Amnesty. But the President, in his
message of last December, showed
that he favored partial amnesty only :;
and in such "A modified form the obse-
quious Senate was willing to consent
to it. The measure, finally forced
from Congress by the demands of the
people, is great advance i'll the right
direction, and its few but severe ex-
ceptions make its incompleteness adj
ditionally unfortunate. Several at
tempts We're made to secure further
civil rights for the enfranchised
blacks, and to abolish the franking
abuse. An intolerant Senate, secure
in IL long term of office, resolutely de-
feated both these propositions when
ever they were brought forward.
Finally, came the Supplemental Force
bill, which was designed to give the
South into the hands of the Admins
tration party and establish the bayonet
law once more in all the lately rebel
ious States. Though tile force of the
conspiracy was broken by the deter
mined attitude of the House, the
country will long remember that this
scheme to fasten an odious enactment
upon an unwilling people was an off
spring of the Second Session of the
XLIld Congress.
This has been notably session of
investigations. The abuses which
grew mp with the war riotously sur
yived it. Capitalization, disregard of
law, .iobbery, and corruption had
their demoralizing effect upon the
public service. The investigations
into the New Orleans and New York
Custonl- Houses, Sales of Arms to the
French. Naval Affairs, and other adj
minishative doings, prove how care
lessly and selfishly the government is
conducted. This has been success
fully discovered, although the eager
gentlemen who consider that every
conviction of an official thief or in
competent is personal attack on the
President have obstructed each step
of the investigations have stifed in
quiry. packed the Committees. and
huddled out of sight the report of the
minorities.
The London Daily Ne'rs says in re-
garG to the retirement of Prince Bis
marck. More than once Prince
Bismarck has had to leave
the duties and cares of state to
seek repose in his country house. But
his present illness, which has assumed
the form of protracted sleeplessness,
seems to be more serious than pre-
vious attacks, and obviously points to
its origin. The over-worked brain
has got into condition of morbid ex-
citement, which drives away the in
sidnous approach of sleep. 70 achieve
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