The Weekly Kansas chief. [volume] (Troy, Kan.) 1872-1918, 1874-06-25
CONGRESS.
seathing Arraianmeni by a Republican Pa


The first session of the forty-third Congress is
now drawing to cluse, and the people are pre-
pared to judge of its acts. There can be no
doubt az to what the verdict will be. That il
has utterly failed to meet the expectations of the
people, there can certainly hot be n doubt in the
mind of any intelligent observer of passing events
When the sessinn opened, the country was suffe-
ring from most dtsazt roHs panic and from sxor-
bitant aud uncomfortable taxation rates. 1t was
given ont that Congress would, immediately on
assembling take measures for the protection of
the interests of the people, and To increase the
prosperity of the country. Under this promise
the people quietly and hopefully awaited the
assembling of that body.
On the meeting of Con reSs, the President
sent in message in which he urged upon that
body the necessity of sending in more currency,
and of extending banking facilities by the estab-
lishment of free banking system. This mes
sage was unqnestionably but reflection of
public sentiment upon the currency question,
and the people felt assured that measures for
their relief would be speedily ipaugurated. In
deed, there was disappointment because Con-
Cress did not take some decisive step for an in
crease of currency prior 10 the holiday adjourn
ment, but it was given ont that over fifty mem.
bers desired to make buncombe speeches. and
that the prostratiOn of business must he endured
until these fifty members could do their talking.
Even this was submitted to without murmur,
the country feeling assured that ample relief
would be afforded in time to insure prosperous
business season. Spring came-men began to
feel restless-enterprises of magnitude awaited
them-but no prudent man could think of enga-
pinC in any new enterprise with the finances of
the country in an unsettled and uncertain cOndi-
tion. 1t became evident that the large force
sent to Washington from Wall street with their
pockets well stuffed with greenbacks, were ma
king an impression. Congress weakened, and
finally succeeded in passing very sickly BILL of
uncertain provisions, but supposed to squint to-
wards an increase of currency. Even this NOR
sci gave the people some hope; but the President
in the face of his message vetoed the measure
and Congress could not master the requisite two
thirds in its favor to pass it over the veto. Thus
the hopes of the people on the currency question
were crushed, and the general stagnation of
business throughout the country is the natural
and necessary result
Now the President authorizes the publication
of a statement declaring himself in favor of re-
turn to specie payment in one two years. and
in favor of retiring bills of less denomination
than ten dollars. We have hitherto shown the
unprecedented manner in which our currency has
been contracted-the fact that we have little
more than half the amount, per capita, that ex-
lists in other enlightened governments, while we
need at least double the amount required by
them-have pointed ont the vast interests which
have been crushed by this unjustifable system
Of robbing the poor debtor class-and it is not
necessary to repeat this array of facts aud fig
ures to show the -srraneos,s policy marked out by
the President, who justlfies the hardshps i'm
posed upon the debtor class by the plea that the
credit class were the sufferers when the currency
was increased by the necessities of the country
in carrying on the war-thus assuming that two
wrongs can make one right.-Ioledo Blade.