The New York herald., 1872-12-21
Congress Adjourned Over to the
Year OF Our Lord 1873.


The two houses Of Congress were engaged
yesterday in mere routine business upon va
riety of subjects In the Senate MIR. Conkling
presented the petition of the New York and
West India Steamship Company (Monsieur
Tonson come again), asking an annual sub
sidy of one hundred thousand dollars, which
was referred to the Committee on Commerce
These enterprising steamship men are making
hay while the sun shines and, as Congress
appears to be in the humor for subsidies, we
would advise all our owners of ships, whether
steam, horse power or sailing craft, to put
in their claims on the principle Of fair play
and equal rights.
Mr.. Rice, Of Arkansas on motion for
Committee Of Investigation, discussed the
late Arkansas elections, contending that the
republican party in said elections were guilty
of outrageous frauds and that all the facts
ought to be brought to light. We think so,
too but if Congress is to undertake the inves-
tigation of these alleged Arkansas Frauds why
not those of South Carolina, and Georgia, and
Alabama, and Mississippi, and Louisiana, and
Texas, and the rest of them? Our idea is that
the overhauling of the figures, facts and ras-
caities Of these elections and the rectifcation
Of the abuses proved are matters which belong
to the several States concerned, and that the
two houses can be better employed upon the
business affairs which properly belong to
them.
In the House Mr.. Shanks Of Indiana, in
1~.n g. ~,
tration of Indian affairs in the several Terri
tories, from which it may be inferred that
under the Quaker system Of bribing instead of
furnishing 'ye refractory savages' our Indian
affairs in the Territories are not as efficiently
administered as could be desired. General
Sheridan is of this opinion but as General
Grants policy, when he undertakes anything,
is to keep hammering away, we suppose he
will hammer this business into good shape
by the time that Jumping Bear is ready to re-
sumo the warpath.
Mr. Porter of Virginia, proposed an amend
ment to the constitution providing not only
for the election Of President and Vice Presi-
dent, but Of United States Senator'S directly
by the people. Mr.. Porter. we apprehend, by
this side issue Of the election of Senators, is
weakening the main question. Let us first
have this amendment in reference to the Presi-
dent and Vice President for public opinion
demands it. As for this Senatorial PROPOSE
ton it can be postponed until the people call
for it.
The two houses stand adjourned until the
9th day Of January, 1873, in order that the
members generally may have the opportunity
to spend their Christmas and New Years holi-
days at home. And, according to the letter
and the spirit of the constitution, without dis
tinction Of race color or previous condition Of
servitude, we wish them all "A merry Christ
mas and happy New Year"
NINE JURoRs ONLY WERE SECURED in the
Stokes case yesterday up to adjournment. It
would seem that the difficulty increases rather
than diminishes. An additional Juror was
secured, but one Of those previously selected
was excused because he knew man who was
closely related to the prisoner.
The PRINCIPLE OF COMMERCIAL PRorEcr1os
IN FRANCE has been sustained and affirmed bv
q very decisive vote of the National Assembly.
taken after the conclusion of an anxious de.
bate yesterday. This result will prove very
consolatory just at present to President
Theirs but whether its publication will tend
to the restoration of national harmony and
the recuperation Of the home industries of
the Republic is quite another question, and
remains for reply.