The Bolivar bulletin. [volume] (Bolivar, Hardeman County, Tenn.) 1865-1888, 1874-01-09
lack Chandler Speaking the Square
Truth.


Congress met on the first day of De-
cember under most exceptionable cir
cumstances. In September a financial
crisis suddenly struck down and paral-
yzed all interests. The shock of that
convulsion is still felt and Its force is by
no means expended.
This condition of things was preeipi-
tated if not caused by vicious legislation
affecting the currency, expenditures, and
special classes. There was a universal
demand for relief and reform, not by
temporary expedients, but through an
eztirpation of admitted abuses and evils.
When Congress came together, says
the New York San, they had 50, 900
of the peoples money in their pockets, OF
S5,625 per head, for pay from the 18th of
March last, not a dime of which had
been earned. Nine months had been
paid in advance of organization.
Though not recently chosen, large
majority of the members of this Con-
gress saw the effect produced on the
latest elections by the Credit Mobilier
corruption and the salary steal They
had witnessed, too, the ruin and distress
resulting from the monetary disturb
anee. If there was no impulse of pat-
riotism, policy alone should have stimuS
lated the activity of a Congress thus
beset with urgent demands and duties
With majorities largely exceeding two
thirds in both Houses political obstruc-
ton was impossible. There was cons
plete power in hand Nothing but dis
position and ability to do the work was
wanting,
Congress adjourned from the 18th of
December to the 5th of January, after
a brief term of gable, gross personality,
and violent aIterrcation disgraceful to
the body and all concerned. So far
from responding to the claims of suf-
fering people, these insolent majorities
have deied public opinion, betrayed
their trusts, conspired again in the in-
tersst of corruption, and revealed even
a worse character than that which rem
dered their predecessors infamous.
Not single measure of real utility
has been brought forward. Even the
amendment of the Bankrupt law was
diverted to the uses of jobbery aud made
scheme to conceal fraud and the ven,
ality of public men under the false pre-
tense Of protecting honest debtors from
harsh penalties.
When the majority confront thei- de-
ceieved and disappointed constituencies,
they should be welcomed with the re
sentiment which treachery aud base
conduct deserve. And before demand
ing an account of their stewardship. lei
the accusations of one of their OWE
number be held up the public eye. Here
is what Mr. Chandler said in the Senat,
when his fellow Republicans were abou
voting themselves holiday of two and
half weeks:
" We have now been in session thre,
weeks, and have accomplished abso
lutely nothing 10 the three weeks w
have alarmed the country little; rais0t
the price of gold few per cent; de-
, ranged business somewhat; done n
} good to anybody or anythingi and nov
having bean in session three weeks ant
! accomplished nothing, you propose t
run home and rest, do you'll"
If this had been said bYa Liberal 0
Democrat it would have been denounc
/, ed as treason; but having been attere,
by one of the faithful and most trul
loyal it must be accepted. The sketcl
t is true to the last letter 1t ought u b
: framed and hung up in every household
{ so that when these Plundcrcrs com
again for favor aud for votes they ma