New-York tribune., 1874-06-10
PRESENT PERlLS At WASHINGTON.

People everywhere, and particularly imam
cial men, are congratulating themselves that
the danger from Congress is about over. Ihey
forget that the real danger is just now upon
us. In tho next ten days there is reason 10
fear that Congress may do us more harm than
il has thus far throughout the session.
First of all, there will be host OF swindling
jobs appropriations for unexplained deliclen-
cies, innocent looking bills which conceal sH1
basis of fresh attacks upon the Treasury, final
desparing efforts of hungry railroads for bonds
or guarantees or fresh aid of some sort.
There is every indication that the most
odious features of the franking privilege are TO
be revived So long as the Government
Printing Office is kept in full blast, perpet-
ual premium is offered for the repeal of the
law. Till we can have an end to the shame
fully extravagant publication of books which
nobody reads, there will be a long
ing on the part of Congressman for
the gratuitOus transmission OF these
books to constituents whose favor they wish
to win, as constant as the longing of the
Russian for the Golden Horn. or the Yankee
for the West. With free transmission OF
public documents will come also that most
contemplate Of demagOgue devces-the free
transmission of newspapers within the county
of their publication. Both are imminently
threatened, and both are in the branch which
affects the greatest contempt for public opinion.
The rotten borough system threatens to get
an additional step. Already bills for the ad-
mission of both New-MexicO and Colorado as
States have been crowded through the House.
There is reason to hope that they may be
checked in the Senate this session, but there
is also need to watch. There is no possible
excuse for either bill, save that, for shifty
politicians, now out of job, it provides places
as United States Senators and the like.
The District of Columbia Government seems
likely to be overturned. but there is danger
that some other of similar absurdity may be
set up in its stead What is wanted is that
the District shall get down off its stilts 1t
has been having Governor, Legis-
Iature, and other expensive features of
an organization complicated enough fOr1New-
York or Pennsylvania. What it needs is such
simple machinery as suffices for the govern
ment of Berks or Chautauqua County. But it
is profitable for the office-hOlding gentry to
keep the troublesome little township perched
up on stills, and there lies the danger
The merchants will not be out of danger
till Congress is out of Washington. Mr..
Schultz was wise in his declaration that every
one here might better close his store and 60
down to Washington than run the present
risks.
There is, till the last hour Of the last day,
the chance Of mischievOus financial legislation,
cunningly cOntrived to evade the Presidents
manifesto, or to be forced upon him by i'm
Fortunate advisers, to whom he has not yet
ceased to listen, as a means of saving the
party in the Fall elections.
And. finally, every lobbyist, every swinding
claim agent every tricky representative of
beggar corporation, thus far foiled, looks to
the last days for his winnings. good many
get them,