The Milan exchange. (Milan, Gibson County, Tenn.) 1874-1978, 1874-07-02
TIE r.,IrRE OF CONGRESS-.

the problems which have veXed the
public mind during this period Of
fruitless agitation.
Congress came together while the
effect Of the financial crisis was still
fresh and sorely felt. There was
cry for relief from every part Of the
Union, and it was practicable and
easy of attainment, with the least
sound craftsmanship. Instead of seek
ing 10 restore confidence and revive
business bv discreet legislation, quack
cry was substituted for plain remedies
and diluted discussions for efficient
action.
From the start a radical conflict of
opinion upon what may be called the
vital question of the day, was disclos-
ed between the Republicans of the
East and West. They were separat-
ed by a great gulf, such as is seen TO
divide the platforms of the three Re
publican conventions which assembled
a few days ago in Indiana, Illinois,
and Vermont. At first the President
was broadly on the side Of the infa-
tionists, and went so far as to prepare
a brief message approving the original
bill. Suddenly he changed front I'M
der the manipulation of the bondhold-
ers and present-givers of Philadelphia,
when the executive pendulum swung
over to the other extreme.
Mr.. Jones, of Nevada, sitting in n
purchased seat, became the oracle of
the White House, instead of Mr.. Nor
ton, who had hitherto shaped the pol
icy of Its incumbent. SO that TO
make confusion worse confounded,
the President and the majority i'll
Congress divided into factions, both
claiming to represent the sentiment
of the same party, find themselves
fronting in opposite directions, with a
tinkered compromise hanging up like
Mahomet's coffin, As, the result of a
prolonged controversy, and which in
fact represents no principal that eth
er side advocated when they parted
company. SO much for the currency
question.
Next in consequence and public in
terest was cheap transportation. That
was to be put through without delay,
no matter what else might be post
poned. As a net result we have the
report of a special committee of the
Senate, which travelled the country
over at the public expense, proposing
various wild projects AT cost Of two
hundred millions, apparently design
ed 10 harrass the agricultural interest
with new burdens, and to open up a
field for corruption, compared with
which Credit Mobilier would be as a
mite TO mountain. Add a mass of
printed speeches made to order, and
this is what was done for cheap trans
portation.
Civil service reform, after having
served as 4 plank in the last Presi-
Dental platform, and as a delusion
and snare for those excellent reformcrs
who delight almost as much in the
name as they do in the substance, was
slaughtered in the House with none
50 poor as to DO it reverence. And Us
if to consult the eternal fitness of
things. Mr.. Butler was chosen for OK
ecutiQncr.
The much yauDted Indian peace
policy of the President shared a sim
liar fate. For four years il engaged
the sympathy of philanthropic minds,
in spite Of constant discoveries Of ras-
calitv ard rapacity. As long as the
Commissioners held their places hope
still chung to this organized system Of
plumber. They held on until for
hearance ceased 10 be virtue; but
at last the Secretary of the Interior
contrivcd to force them out and clear
the way for still greater frauds. Mr..
DelanO has succeeded in removing the
last obstacles 10 his venalitv, and tools
on the Indian Committee have gone
the length af assailing the good name
of the Commissioners, who gave their
time and service and influence with
out fee or reward.
At the outset there was a seeming
rage for economy. The House cut
down salaries, reduced appropriations,
and applied the retrcnching axe with
vigor. That enthusiasm soon died
out, and was followed by 4 reaction
which has ended by creating new and
unnecessary Offices, restoring in May
the high pay which was repealed in
March, and in undOing all that was
done in the first parOxysm Of pretended
reduction. The Senate ignored all the
spurious reforms, and then the House
retreated under the lead ofs Mr..
Garfield from every position which it
had originally assumed.
the Salary bill was repealed by
moral coercion and solely from the
fear of indignant constituencies. Very
: lew SluCcTC NOltsS NSIt CstSI O1 iifdt
side, and since then inSidious efforts
have been made TO revive the frank
ing privilege and other abuses which
formed part of the corrupt system
that the people demanded should be
swept away.
I So, too, of the moieties. That con-
cession was extorted from a reluctant
congress, and only yielded partially
after a determined resistance at every
step in the Senate. The Sanborn
contracts were swept away because
they were too rank and offensive for
federation.
In abolishing the Washington Ring
Government, which the country,
without regard to party, demanded,
the majority condoned the crimes and
and corruption, and with bated breath
described the most daring frauds al
mistakes"
Not one solid or honest raforn, has