Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1873-11-24
MEETING or CONGRESS-.


On Monday next the first session OF the
Forty-third Congress will open at WASH
ington. Recent events have occasioned
the opening to be looked toward to with
unusual interest.
The reelection ofSpeaker Blaine is con-
ceded on all hands. Rumors have been
started from time to time of movements
in opposition to him, but they were either
qroundless or have come to naught. as 1t
now appears that there is practically no
opposition of the kind. The report circu
lated in relation to some feeling about the
reconstruction Of the committees is like
other reports which have been started.
Mr.. Blaine will be elected Speaker for u
third term. and the committees will be
thoughtfully and judiciously filled. There
Is but small degree Of feeling manifested
about the committees n comparison with
that which was shown in 1871 upon the
same matter. 1t is not to be presumed that
everybody will be pleased, as that is i'm
possible, but we have no doubt that the
committees will be SO filed as to commend
them to the average good sense of the
House and country.
The rein stating of Mr.. Sumner in the
Craftsmanship of the Committee on For
eign Relations has been proposed and in
dustriously championed by liberal repub-
lican newspapers. but the prospect of
accomplishing such measure is not very
hattering We doubt if the Senate will
see the necessity OF doing this. 1t would
be manifesting a great kindness to the
liberal republicans for the majority to con-
sent to such thing: much more than they
are entitled to at the hands Of the repub-
lican party.
The first business that Congress will be
called upon to consider will be the capture
of the virginius and the murder of those
taken on board of her. 1t is evident that
there will be difference of opinion about
tho course to be pursued. Some members
will be for war, others for peace; some
for the annexation of Cuba, some uncon-
ditionally opposed to acquiring foot Of
1t. 1t 10 to be hoped that the information
which the President will be able to lay be-
fore Congress in his message will lead to
q satisfactory solution Of what now ap-
pears to be complicated and difficult
question. By that time he ought to have
reliable evidence Of the character Of the
Virginius, her capture, the executions in
Cuba. and be prepared to disclose the
course which our government has pursued
and what the Spanish authorities have
done and propose to do about the matters
pending. And suppose that the immed-
late case of the Virginius is satisfactorily
settled. there still remains for considera-
tion the state of things in Cuba, and wheth-
er we have cause to interfere in order for
the protection of our commerce and citi.
gems, and if so what policy we shall pur-
sue. If the government in Spain were
capable of taking care of Cuba we should
be relieved of considerable responsibility
in the case, but Spain in her present con-
dition has not the ability to restore and
preserve peace in Cuba. Congress can
not wink these facts out of sight. 1t is not
sufficient to say that we are not expected
to regulate the affairs of other nations, for
there is point at which interference for
our own security may become necessity.
And so Cuban affairs must take promi-
nent place in the proceedings of the COM
ing session.
Before the rise of the Cuban difficulties
the question of finance was the gravest
subject with which Congress had to deal.
Now 1t is second in point of time, with
possibly added perplexities and greater
Importance by reason of our embarrass-
ments about Cuba. There is doubtless to
be an attempt made to continue and ex-
pand the irredeemable currency forced
upon us by the necessities of war. Such
an effort ought to fail by so decisive de-
feat that it would never be attempted
again, and confidence be re-established in
a return to specie payment. The western
and southern members it is thought will
show strong front for imitation. Senator
Sherman does not follow in that direction.
Probably there are others of his opinion
in the localities put down as favorable to
imitation, who have not avowed themselves
and will come to the surface when discus
sion begins. At any rate we may be sure
that there will be a lively contest over
financial questions at this session. If war
results from our complications with Spain
there will be new troubles for financiers,
involving an increase Of the debt. greater
taxation, and longer road to travel to
get back to specie payment
II was thought early In the season that