The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1874-01-15
[From the n. Y. Evening Post-l
The Reassembling Of Congress.

The interrupted session of Congress
was resumed Monday. and it is to be
hoped that members returned to Wash
ington enlightened by intercourse with
their constituents as well as refreshed 10y
the holiday festivities. 1t is to be feared
that this body of men need something
more than mere intelligence as to the
wishes of the people, but even that would
do them good. We are sorry TO say so,
but we believe it to be IL fact that no
Congress has ever in SO short time
earned SO bad reputation. As most Of
them are new members, they were sup
posed to be familiar with the wishes and
opinions OF those who sent them to
Washington; while of the old members,
some of the worst were at once permit
ted to give direction to the legislation
OF the House Fresh contact with their
constituents, even after short an alb
sence from home. may do these members
good, if it be only to show them the esti-
mate which the country has made OF
their conduct since the beginning OF the
session.
We are not much given to advise legis-
lative bodies, still less to threaten them;
but it is difficult for u Journal that be-
lieves in Republican principles and is
independent enough not to he'a Republi-
can organ, to refrain from expressing an
opinion as to this Congress, whether it
may seem to be either advice or warming.
That body has a large Republican ma
.iority, and whatever it does or whatever
it fails to do that party will be held re-
sponsible Whether the destruction o:
the party would or would not be a mis-
fortune is, we assume, point about
which there is no question among its
members inside of Congress, whatever
there may be outside oi'it. But that its
destruction is inevitable unless its repre-
sen tatives at Washington shall improve,
and improve very much and very rapidly,
on the last session. of Congress and OF
this session SO fa:, is we think, almost
unquestionahle.' And this opinion is not
sin gular, but is shared in by most think
ing men who take an interest in politics,
but are free enough from all party ali-
ances to come to an unbiased iud&ment
That many such men do not think the
welfare OF the government would be put
i'll jeopardy if such an event should come
to pass does not lessen the respect which
is due to their Judgment,
The country. these Republican leaders
at Washington should understand mean
that in the administration of government
we shall return to simplicity and econo-
my II this cannot be done through one
party it will through another II the
severe ordeal OF the Credit Mobilier
scandal and the.back pay peculation is
not enough to purify the party, but its
representatives in Congress are obsti-
nately bent upon taking advantage of
their power to carry corrupt party
measures, then the days Of the party are
numbered.
There is no use in further discussing
the Salary bill OF the last session. Tor all
argument iu relation to it is exhausted.
The people have made up their minds
about it. They wanted to see the bill as
far as possible, repealed, and they de-
mand this not because they care about
the money but as an evidence OF state
OF mind. Should n bill for the uncondi.
tional repeal OF the law be passed at
once it will be well for this Congress and
for the Republican party, though the
question OF salary may-and very prop
erly--be taken up later in the session.
But the first step is Imperative; it is de-
manded not merely as an atonement Tor
! the past, but as promise, in ONE sort.
;or the future. On this, their first action
on the reassemhling OF Congress will be
based, without doubt, the opinion OF the
country on subsequent actions. 1t is a
test. about which there is great deal of
deep feeling, and the fact will be recog-
piEed il mem6eTs are wise.