The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1873-03-06
The Record Of the Forty-second Con-
ErcSS.
IFrOm tho New yOrlr TrthrDn

IRON the New York Tribune.
The whole Congress has been characterized
ny an unprecedented neglect of the public
business in the early stages Of the sessions,
ana confusion at the close. Much of the time
OF the last two sessions was consumed with
Investigations which lex conduct of the
Government had made necessary. These in
vcstISations have melted much acrimonious
ana heated debate. The principal ones
were as follows: An inquiry into the
loss OF certain records in the War De-
partment the New York custom-house in
vcstIgatlon; New Orleans custom-bouse in
quiry; louisiana political affairs; sales Of
United States arms to the French; Navy
Department contracts; inquiries into the cir
cuinsnnces concerning the election of Sena-
tors Pomeroy and Caldwell of Kansas, and
Clayton OF Arkansas and lastly, the Credit
Moblller investigations; conducted by three
separate committees. The discussion of
these subjects has agitatcd Congress and
shaken popular confidence in the National
Legislature.
of the political laws which were enacted
Dy TINS Congress, the famous enforcement
acts are most conspicuous. The original law
was passed at the first session; the supple
mental bill was fastened on an appropriation
bill during the last night of the second ses-
sion, and were so passed, in violation of the
rules of the Senate. The country will not
soon forget that this unrighteous measure,
whose chief work has been to facilitate the
uSurpaton in Louisiana, was the offspring
of the Forty-second Congress. Attempts to
secure additional civil rights for the entran-
cEiscd blacks have been frequently made, but
the Senate has stcadmstly refused any such
concession. In difference to an imperative
popular demand this Congress gave US am
ucsty in modified form complete oblivion
of political offences yet fingers. The appor-
tionment of representation under the ninth
census fell to the lot of the Fortv-second
Congress, and the work was well and salts
factorily done.
Some reduction in the force of employees in
the Internal Revenue Service has been made,
but nothing has been done to strengthen the
civil service, or extend its reform. The
abolition of the franking privilege, promised
long and defeated oft, will stand out prom;-
nently among the acts OF this Congress. 1t
was measure demanded by the people, and
So pcrsistently forced on the attention Of
Congress by the Postmaster.G General that
absolutely nothing but its passage was finally
possible. 1t required almost as much pre-;
sure, aided by the Presidents influence, to
induce Congress 10 pass tie bill to carry
into effect The fisheries clause Of tie treaty of
Washington.
OF the work left uudonc we cannot now
speak with certainty. Some OF tic appro-
priations will be rushed through this morn
ing, and it is possible that other important
| measures may be dragged along with them.
We are certain, however, that nothing has
been or will lie done by this Congress for
bringing order out of the Louisiana chaos
nothing for the solution of the Mormon
troubles; nothing to provide for the dis
tribution of the Geneva award, and nothing
toward Il Simptiration and Reorganization
Of the customs service and laws. All
Of these omissions are very important,
those relating to Louisiana and Utah being
particularly grave. As we have already seen
the Investigations made necessary by the dc.
molalizcd condition of the Legislative ard
Executive Departments of the Government
! have cngro>sed 50 much of the attention Of
Congress that only the most Immediately
pressing legislation has been obtained at all
BY this means, however, we have escaped
such jobs ;ls the postal telegraph and the ill.,
tcrnal Improvement canals. .
As the Fory-second Congress goes into
history ii will take with it n reputation fol
fair intentions but great feebencss. Tho
Senate has been obstructive, partisan, and
unusually corrupt. Considering the relative
smallneSs Of its numbers, it has been conspi
| cuousy bad in morals. 1t has been forced tr
| consider the expulsion Of enc of its mem.
bcrS. and a strict inquisition for founes,
would drive out five times as many Ulore
The House has, in the main, been more reso
lutte; butt, too, went down disgmcefuly whcr
il was forced to consider the character an(
standing Of its own members. The first ses
sion of the Forty-seconi Congress was brio
and business-ike; the second was mainly
preparatory for the presidential campaign O
1872; the third and last was alarmed an(
fcVered by developments concerning the mo
riLi character of senator's and representatives.
The Forty-Sccond Congress comes to an end
the country will be relieved at its going Il:
we'll as disappointed hy the inconscquonct
| and incompletcncss of IFS laboTs.