The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-01-01
Let Gongress Go Home.


Some days ago the House of Represent
atives adopted resolution to adjourn
over the holidays, from Thursday De-
cembel Is, to Tuesday, January 6. This
was simply the old custom adopted be-
fore the new members got fairly into
their seats, and therefore was not surpris-
ing. except to the few people who had
really expected good things of this Con-
gress. The Senate, however, seeming
to realize the awkwardness of taking a
vacation before they had doue any work,
refused to concur. 1t was generally re-
marked that the Senate was wise and
disposed to do well, and we were not 10th
to acquiesce in this opinion. If Congress
had any business to meet at all it was
simply absurd to spend the most valua-
bic period of the season in idleness.
But we have changed our mind about
this matter, and so no doubt have the
public. The House adopted another res
olutlon, making the vacation extend from
Friday until Monday, January 5. We
hope that the Senate will concur, making
that the first business of the morning.
1t would have been better had the.Senate
adopted the first resolution. or if it had
amended it by beginning the recess ear
lier and allowing members to remain at
home longer. The country, then, while
~ nave 1Oo1 uOLuluH, nave
been spared the modification of such
scenes as have blackened the House of
Representatives for the last few days,
and the reputation of some members
might have been spared
Congress has beenR in session some
three weeks, and while it has done some
bad things, it has done absolutely moth
ing to promote the interests of the
country. 1t has appropriated four mil
lion dollars to maintain extravaganza in
the Navy Department; it has received
and referred score of bills for magnifi-
cent gifts to impossible canals; the
House has voted to print quarter of a
million copies of the agricultural report
at cost of half million dollars, for
free distribution, and has substan TALLY
ratified the old 'salary-grab' by making
another almost equally bad; while the
Senate has spent its time in listening to
speeches on finance. without one practic-
al effort at relief and in pretending to
deliberate upon nominations, as to whose
character the majority have decided in
advance.
What is the use of continuing this
farce? To be sure there is work to do,
and Congress ought to remain in Wash
ington to do it. But it seems to be q
hopeless case. 1t apparently has no dis
position to grant financial relief, to re-
trench the expenses of the administra-
ton, to promote the restoration of sound
money, or honestly to readjust the perni-
cious system of taxation. So far, by
the agitation arising from its incoherent
propositions, it has disturbed values and
Increased the want of confidence which
had already so largely contributed to the
panic; and the general impression is that
this disturbance will continue until the
final adjournment. A vacation now
will at least give the country a respite,
and stop the vulgar personalities which
Thursday convulsed with laughter the
lower House An adjournment without
day would be an unqualified blessings but
if that is impossible, a long vacation, in
the nature of smaller favor; sT.ll pc
thankfully received. r. 80