Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-02-28
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.

The closing session Of the present Con-
gress is rapidly drawing towards an end.
The work which has been accomplished
in spite of the exciting investigations car
ried on, has been of considerable impor-
lance. That for which it is most noticea-
ole, aside from the proceedings in the
Credit Mobilier, is the abolition of the
franking privilege, a step long demanded.
with fierce clamor, but having some re-
suits not at all satisfactory to many of
those who cried out most loudly Tor re-
peal. Congress has done its duty howev-
er, In the matter, having followed what
plainly appeared public sentiment in
regard to the frank. 1t is highly proba-
bic that the repeal will not be long
continued, but in some form less liable to
abuse than the present, less obiectiona-
bic, more restricted, will appear again.
The expense of collecting the revenue
has been diminished by large reduction
Of the employees under the internal reve-
| nue. law The Indian service has been
discussed and carefully amended where it
was thought Improvement could be made.
| Each House has considered Il bill for the
| distribution of the Geneva award, and ex-
amned and debated the principles in
volved, but no definite action has vet been
reached, nor will be, probably at this ses-
sion. The appropriation bills were well
matured and prepared early, and are only
delayed in part by factious opposition. The
tariff has not been meddled with, but
stands as al the opening OF the session.
The legislation necessary to carry the fish
cries clause Of the Washington Treaty
into effect was made the subject of a spe-
cial message by the Presidents it will,
without doubt, be given. The French
Spoliation bill which appeared in the ear
ly days of the session was unsuccessful as
usual. In the civil service reform no new
experiments have been added, it being
deemed most prudent to make fair trial
of those already begun, before venturlng
on others. If Congress indiscreetly open
ed the door to rebel claimants who would
have been followed by others, il was clos
ed promptly against them by the Presi-
dents veto, so that none of that class have
encouragement to appear again during
the next four years at least. Bills for am
nesty, enforcement, ku-kluxism, and 9TH
er southern interests, which there was no
special necessity of acting upon definitely
have been postponed, while schemes for
steamship lines and railroads have met
with no success.
Upon the whole, says an exchange
in reviewing the work of Congress, Icon.
sidering solely the Importance Of the pub
lie business introduced, and the very
grave results that must follow legislation,
the bitter and desperate animus of the
defeated opposition and the scandal they
succeeded in foisting into the place OF
business, we apprehend that when this
short session of few weeks is closed and
its effects are seen, the country will award
it no mean or ordinary praise, 1t will not
have attained perfection. 1t will not
| piOudbIN Z Nollt ill Ltict IL might utN Z
done wiscly-nor left all undone that
should have been so treated. There are
liberals and democrats, and too many of
both in its constitution to permit close
approach to the absolute But it will have
done all that had to be done and not
less notorious, 1t will have given the go
bye TO whole firmamentj of schemes
and plots, and plans designed for partizan
for personal, tor local and limited ends,
without reference to the welfare of the
country-unless TO leech it. The negative
action cannot have its merits oyerestima-
ted. In day when legislation is expect
ed to cure everything, from the toothache
to schism and to benefit everybody, so
that he can estimate his advantage to the
cent instantly; and when the whole pack
are hunger-scented for blunders that will
support them, there is every reason to
think that the Forty-second Congress will
dissolve with record whose wise mean