The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1873-02-12
WEDNESDAY EVEN'G, FEB. IL, 1873.
Editorial Correspondence.
February II

buSlneS Is immense. 1t IS scarcely posi-
BILE now to secure o hearing for any inca.
sure upon its merits. The routine business
crowds out everything else. The most OBJ
jectionable and damaging measures may
get through in the great flood which al
ways marks the close Of the short session.
In early youth we had some very crude no.
tons of Congress. To our unfledged imagi-
nation it was a most august body Of patriots
and sages, profoundly read in history, disci-
pinned by science and versed in the conduct
of affairs. 1t was quite clear to our child
ish mind that these great men were engaged
in studying carefully the wants of the coun-
try, and in adopting such measures as would
remedy all defects and secure the welfare
and prosperity of the country. Long since
this fine picture was wiped out by the
harsh reality of actual knowledge. The
average congressman is simply an attorney
who represents the people of his district,
and too often, only that portion who voted
for him. He seeks to retain their favor,
and to that end devotes all his powers to Sc
cure the largest possible advantages for
them. He soon learns that to secure any
thing he must make friends by supporting
measures without regard to merit, or at
least that their merit must be taken upon
trust. And these measures are largely
local and special. Legislation thus becomes
a constant series of bargains and compro-
misses. The most adroit and pushing mem
bers are always succeeding in carrying the
largest number of bills through Congress.
Thus it often happens that great
national measures, which are far-reaching
and universal, but involve no special bene-
fits or sudden enrichment Of individuals or
corporations, receive little attention, and
get heard with difficulty. Of this kind are
the postal telegraph, the national UNIVERSE
ty, the educational bills, the bill to secure
the public lands to actual settlers only,
and other measures which affect the WEI
fare of the whole people for ages to come.
These are too often thrust aside by the
crowd of special bills, generally trining,
and often positively vicious. This is not SO
because Congress is largely composed Of
corrupt or bad men. But our legislation
is destitute of method or science. 1t is
mere botching, and consists of discon-
nected and fragmentary attempts to patch
up a system radically de fective from the
foundation.
We want a general law and the complete
removal of special claims from Con-
gressional interference. 1t is cert ainly
possible to do this in great measure, anG
nothing would conduce more to purify
and elevate the tone of legislation in Con-
gress.
THE ARMY APPROPRIATION Bill
now pending, a%ppropriates $50 900 900
for the current year. This is sons inn
provement over last year, but is far toe
much. 1t is a sad sight to see o nation
wasting the hard earned treasure Of thu
people in preparations for wars, much o
which will be thrown aside as useless long
before it will be needed.
Instead of Calling guns let us ha We al
experimental and propogating farm worthy
of the nation. Let us save a little on ships o.
war and floating batteries and try and per
feet the steam plough and other machinery
to double our agricultural production
How clearly, amid allthe clap-trap ofmilita
~ display, has that great truth been demon
strated, that the surest protection in war
is the full development of all our resources
in peace.
With our people all educated, industri
GUS, diversified and developed to the high.
est possible degree, we should have thu
foundation laid for an inyincible nation
Add to this a national militia, at all time
ready for service, and open all command
to competition, giving to West Point grad
yates no advantage over the capable ant
disciplined young men of the country, soh
hare proved themselves Wo,thy IN the fett
rather than apoa the parade ground, an
we shall have an army that will insur
the national safety.
THE BANKRUPT LAW,
The bill to repeal which passed tn
House, still rests with the committee
the Senate. The amendment designed I
secure the benefit of the homestead I
bankrupts, which was passed by the Hous
without serious opposition, also awaits Ii
action of the Senate. A fierce lobby al
demanding the immediate repeal, but
is scarcely possible that the Sena
will pass the bill without giving reason
BILE time. 1t would be a great wrong to
large class of citizens, espe cially in Il
South, who have been waiting for .
advance in the price Of their lands
relieve them, but who now find themselv
compelled to sell on a falling market. Secu
the homestead and q final settlement woul
be reached without breaking up the famil,
and thousands of men whose hands o
now tied would be relieved from a positi
where they can do nothing to benefit thel
selves or their creditors.
THE WATER LINE.
This important measure is gaming frien
daily. The great argument Of Col. Hugh
has bean widely circulated, and is having