Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1873-11-27
The Coming Congress.

The Forty-third Congress will enter
on its long session next Monday, under
heavy load of responsibility. 1t will
have a heavy majority in unison with
the National Administration. The
Republican party with its handsome
working force, will be called upon to
render an account of its stewardship,
and forgood service done in proportion
to its size.
The blue blazes with which the last
Congress went out, still flicker enough
to reveal a record distasteful and odious
in large measure to the people. So
that there is work for the incoming
Congress to do,in wiping out thorough
ly disgrace, in looping off ambitious
and dangerous leaders, and in gener-
al renovating of the outside and inside
of the. legislative concern.
We confidently hope that the NUT
tering thunderings of popular discon-
tent as recently expressed at the bal
lot-box, will serve as warnings not al
together to be disregarded, by which
Congress will profit, and the reaction
caused by the salary grab and Credit
Mobilier, will have worked some good
after all. tt|
The first great question demanding
attention is the Cuban matter.
The government has acted wisely,
in not committing the country to any
belligerent action; its course will COM
mend itself to every cool observer of
the situation. In the meantime, while
awaiting the meeting of Congress, our
defences have been strengthened, our
navy is being rapidly put on war foot
ing, and everything has been prepared
ready for any issue.
1t is expected of the war-making
power that they will act with states
manlike discretion, remembering all
the time that war impoverishes coun-
try instead of enriching it; that it de-
stroys values instead of creating them,
and that there is no permanent ma
tional advancement or prosperity thro'
this terrible scourge of mankind.
With the falling off of tie revenue at
the rate of million OR more dollars a
month, and an increase in the estimates
for next year of ten millions, it is ap-
parent that grave questions concerning
the tariff, Will necessarily occupy much
time in the coming Congress. Upon
the party in power will devolve such
an adjustment of the revenues as will
bring the national expenditures within
its receipts. Odious laws must be re-
pealed; public expenditures must be
curtailed; useless offices must be abol-
ished, and a relentless war must be
waged upon every species of corruption
and extravaganza. Questions relating
to our financial system-our banks
our currency-will require serious and
careful thought.
The people expect of the coming
Congress, that they prove themselves
able and willing to meet the questions
of the hour. Will they do it?
The Spanish Side of the Question.
The Spanish government insist in the
case of the capture of the Virgipius:
First. That the Virginius is not an
American ship with legal register,
owned by citizens of the United States,
as our laws require, so as to entitle her
to our protection; that she was owned
by Cubans, and registered falsely in the
name of an irresponsible party of the
name of Patterson, residing i'm New
York. p44 .si
Secondly. That she had forfeited
this registry, had it been valid, by her
subsequent sale to other parties. That
although she was afterward repur-
chased and turned over to her former
nominal owners she was not registered
as our laws require. -aa-.4.I
Thirdly. That she has frequently
sailed during the past two years under
the flags of ether countries. ,..-f.u.
Fourthly. That she was engaged in
an illegal expedition at the time of her
capture.
Filthy. That General Ryan, whose
fate has excited much sympathy, was