National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1874-01-13

LIE MA 41CN-
every citizen, sought to compir the Houss IN
advance to . scheme which. No enlightened
mind condemns, aud ono tbst can ouly pro
duo evil tie near futuis. But, rotwith-
handing the iuternll evidence of prospective
injury, the House haindt gave ground bsfore
the formidable intrednstory lpsragrap6s, and,
in = large vote, very nearly sanctioned the
further fvoluntaiJ increase of the nat3Qnal
debt. The vote stood 155 yeas and ID nays
two thirds necessary for adoption under sus-
pension of the rules. Tho preponderance of
the affirmative vote would seem 10 commit un-
equivocally the lower. House to any
scheme involving IN imitation Of the
currency, cad the inoreass Of the In.
terest- bearing obligations of the Government,
But the sequel proves that the cunning declare
tions Of the Kelley resolution was greater It.
traction to the senEihllities Of men than. the
innate Xirtue OF the plan was to the common
sense Of the members. Although each MEM
Der Of the House counts tone" In sdirect vote,
It Is well to note that the negative side on this
question was composed almost exclusively of
the men experienced in legislation and able In
mind. The overwhelming majority, led blindly
into the support of this extravagant PROPOSE
ton, was to DO manipulated IN . tidal more
prepostsrous than the ono just concluded. The
day for "buncombe" had now arrived, and the
Congressional skirts were 10 be cleaned by
textfavagancies OF character % farcical that
good nature With tho people must follow the
merriment Afforded. Judge Holman proposed
- the sentiment of he House that neither tax
alton nor bonds were desired TO meet the wants
Of the Government, and this received the affirm
alton Of two hundred and twenty one, while only
three men were willing to negative the virtnous
resolves. As the matter now stood the House
had by large majority come to the conclusion
that . convertible bond was the panaces for
immediate Is well Is prospective distresses,
and that taxation would in no event be the re-
sort. Then the spirit of economy became prev
alent, and no action beyond d immense 10
duction Of expenses was considered the thing.
But such was the terrible revolutions Of the
machine that an instant stoppago could not
be made, and to furnish fuel to facilitate mo-
ton, Mr.. Hawley, of Connecticut, came for
ward with his little plan, which declared
nothing in particular, except that Con-
grcss witnessed, with ghastly terror, this
convertible bond scheme, and would in no sense
consider It to tide over the present depression.
The result attendant upon this conclusion evt
dences clearly the rapidity Of thought, and also
evinces the speed Of Ms revolutions. This
measure was sanctioned unanimously, without
even an appeal being made for the "ycas and
nays" Carefully observant of this days pro-
ceedings, it is impossible to determine tho pre-
else attitude Of that body which originates all
measures for raising revenues. Twenty min
utes time suffieed to completely evaporate all
economic IDEAS, and legislative assemblagc
developed the existence of no fixed principles,
and clearly demonstrates that 1t Is seduced by
the pleasing language of any individual who
seemingly strikes the popular chord. But the
action witnessed yesterday Is the most severe
comment that can be produced, and no array
Of incidents can add to the spectacle presented
for public observation.
After the House had regained its composure,
the naval hill came forward, and legislation
progressed smoothly until an opportunity pre-
sehted to inject the usual assault on the man
agement of Affairs by the Administration.
Coming, as 1t did, from . Democrat, MS force
was greatly narrowed, but the disposition given
prominence by some Republicans to convey
power to the charges, by attempting to exait
their own virtue at the expense of Department
officials, contains reflection which should be
rebuked. The same antiquated manipulations
Of facts and fgyres-s constant recmrcnce-
was brought forth to cast blame upon the Sec
rotary of the Navy, but they were again dis
spated when correct construction was elected,
and the truth once more evolved to the confu-
sion of the perpetual compliments.
Tho wearisome debate on tho salary bnl was
brought to close In the Senate. Senator
Gordon, particularly aggrieved BY the COM
ments aroused BY the course he adopted, gave
vent to lengthy explanation Of the assault,
by implication, on the various military officers
Of the country. It was in truth just exhibi-
ton Of Usnfhheuk, which only needed - Q
crowning feature the abandonment Of all de-
signs upon the emoluments of army officials.
But the continued spirit, again given publicity,
to curtafl the pay Of all officers above = low
grade, deeracted from the measured phrases so
just in thought, but lacking the moral support
of the delivcrer.
As mapped out In csucus the business was
pursued steadily until q finality was reached,
but tho structure reared Il marred by the at
tempts ut embcllishment not in consonance
with the first architectural designs. Had the
Senate halted when the Congressional salary
was returned to the old standard no possible
criticism could be made, but the disposition to
cast reflections upon other branches outweighed
Judgment, and In consequence the final act must
be condemned as unworthy the liberal spirit of
real craftsmanship.
Tup o<,v,~outto, ~ <ha Na<toc.1 no.~a ~