National Republican., 1873-12-20

., leaving the commercial world to tide over
the Interim as pFcsent lines dictate, and the
absolute warranty Of this act needed nlonr the
Endorsement Of the Senate to place II indelibly
upon record. Although II was affirmed thai
no immediate need for remedial legislation OK
istcd, the major portion of the Republican side,
including all the substantial men, depicted the
pressing necessity for action, AMI wisely demon
strated the claims Of paralygcd business FOR In
stant aud thorough attention. The discussion,
| conducted in q lenicnt spirit, evidenced the fu-
tiliiy OF all arguments in favor Of a holiday,
and exhibited the mt 'ntiohs Of some public
servants who would insure personal conyen.
fence and pleasure even though the public IN
tcrcst suffered. senator Morrill,, of Maine,
declared emphaiicslly that II was a reckless
assumption for any Senator to "iuterpoSc per-
sonal convenience against the public demand, y
and intimatcd in broad terms that the Senators
had made up their minds to have bust. w
But the peculiar method OF influencing llegisla-
tion had q peculiar effect upona Senate divided
between individual enjoyment and constancy to
national wants. While the considera-
tion of this adjournment project was
pending the House proclaimed It's disincllna-
tion to give the proper attention to public
affairs by the unanimous agreement to hold
sessions for "dobatc only" This additional
obstruction TO the successful prosecution Of the
labors OF the day aided In the verdict 10 spend
Christmas at home. And the ayowed dcclara.
tion Of Senators that quorum could no, be
secured because OF the derciiction from per-
sonal obligation, also contributed to producs
this result. iu the iiusl judgment the Demo.
l a. nfr
the Liberals, voted solidly and consistently to
shirk the tasks assigned them, and through
the lack OF Judgment of a few Republicans
who acted with them the iniermlssion In Con.
gressional work was accomplished. The gen
eral tenor Of the debate was that nothing could
be consummatcd by remaining here, and, In.
deed, some Senators argued that an immense
saving Of time would be effected by spending idly
the coming few weeks. 1t was generally con-
ccded that the repeal OF the bankrupt act
would consume several days In debate, aud
January would lie ushered In without It's reach
ing hnalty, and this was used extrayagantly
in support OF the "holiday."- But a single
thought would convince the most obtuse rea.
soner that its enactment even In January, by
continued session, would be a saving In lcgis-
lation, as, under the same Limitation as TO de-
bate, February will be reached without It's
statutory existence being Acknowledged. And
again, Il was said that, made retroactive In
feature, II consequently would inure to the
benefit Of all forced into bankruptcy during
the season OF fcstiyity, but It was forgotten
that mans credit impaired cannot he restored
by legislative enactment relieving him from
the onerous provisions Of the Law working his
| obstruction.
But the protests OF the leading Republican
Senators were IN vain, and the Democratic and
1 Liberal elements, combined with few of the
majority side, took the responsibility for the
dcsertion Of labor for pastime, and were con-
tent to await n future opportunity to consider
the present demands Of a suffering community.
A transposition to the House revealed the
actual discussion Of the civil rights measure.
By agreement It was decided that the vote
should be takcu on the day second after the
recess; and then, ailer explanation by General
Butler, the minority were allowed an opportu-
nifty to relieve themselves Of the pent.up steam
accumulated during trip to Europe or a resi-,
dence at home. This concluded, the ancient
Chorpcnning claim was again revived, this time
| inl the nature of personal explanation, -
wherein II was sought by the deliyercr, Mr..
Cessna, to prove that "constituen had been
outraged and House of Representatives de-
hled. But Mr.. Dawes inopportuncly related
some material facts In the "mixed compis-
sion, and once again tbg postal service was
depreciatej. There Is, however, an unmistak'
able evidence of fairness In the composition
Of the present Congress, and the claim Is Ia
consequence TO be again investigated The
conclusion Of this business was the. signal Tor
adjournment, and the members accordingly
dispersed to meet again Monday, January :,
1871 Although II would have been better for
Congress TO remain In session, Il must not bc
inferred that the business of the country Il
totally neglected. The important committees
will meet frequently during the recess, and he
utmost cndcayors will be made to solve some
plan tending to increased prosperity AMI the gen
eral relief of the country in tim" iorcsrly actor
In the new year about to Onan.
It seems that the same petty spirit at one
time Visible in the House has possessed lh,
Senatorial mind. and accordingly the salary
bill Is produced from the committee with the
Cabinet Ministers involved in the decrease de
cided upon. No complaint is made that thes'
officials receive larger salary than they fairly
earn, and they are not recipients of'back pay,
trit Il appears 10 be the disposition to innlc
punishment In every direction as rctaIiatio,
for the rcbul,c administered 10y the people.
1T WILL HE EIMEMBrHrp that duriug tn