Mineral Point tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1869-1938, 1874-04-09

Manifestly they are Of a nature to justify
entirely opposite opinions and conclu.
sions Aside from those Congresses
which had to meet the issues of our
great civil war, and the subsequent re-
construction of the Southern States, few,
if any, of its predecessors have been COM
PEELED to grapple with as momentous and
perplexing questions. None has ever ad-
dressed itself to the work which it found
upon its hands with more real earnest
ness, and judging from the results
achieved, and those which may with con-
tidence be predicted, with more of genuine
ability and craftsmanship. 1t has taken
time and much discussion to arrive at a
settlement of these great questions of the
day, but progress has been continually
evident to every one who had wish or
care to see it. The statement of few
points will afford the reader who has a
desire to judge correctly with some data
for properly estimating the Forty-third
Congress:
l. 1t has been freer from the manipula.
ton of the lobby than any of its predeces-
sors tor the past thirty years. Nothing in
the nature of special privileges to any
class has found favor with it, or is likely
to, during its continuance. This is a
great point gained-an isolated fact in the
history of recent Congressional legisla.
ton
2. 1t has, by large majorities in each
branch, distinctly avowed its determine
ton to adopt measures which will give
financial ease and business security to the
country. While its action, through the
passage of distinct measure, has not yet
crystallized into permanent form, this
emphatic indication Of its probable course
in the near future has already afforded .
vast and most visible relief to every
branch of business throughout the nation.
Confidence is fast resuming its sway, and
business will resume its accustomed
courses the present spring with more of
life and vitality than it has felt during
the past two years.
3. The House, after long discussion,
and the most thorough examination and
scrutiny, has passed bill looking to an
eventual settlement Of the transportation
problem, which has so vitality affected
every interest of the country, but more
especially of the West. 1t has taken this
action not inconsiderately, as if impelled
to 80 something" by popular and I'M
reasoning clsmor, but in a broad, compre-
hensive, and statesmanlike spirit, which
looks judicially upon every interest as
entitled to its equal measure ofjustice.
A. 1t has done noble work in reducing
the appropriations Those reductions
promise to amount to at least SIS, 100000
to 100000 OO Expenditures for the army
and navy have been especially reduced,
while it is in contemplation to diminish
the military forces so that still further
reductions can be made in the future.
The public expenditures have never I'M
dergone such thorough care and scrutiny.
This fact, viewed in connection with that
other fact that the country is growing
with such unexampied rapidly, whereby
new duties are constantly devolved upon
the public administration, show a record
in favor of governmental economy which
has never been surpassed. 1t is well to
consider it fully.
5. 1t has repealed the iniudiCious Salary
act of the last session, and in obedience
to the popular judgment refused to re-
store the lranking privilege in any shape
or form More than this, it has rigidly
and jealousy guarded its own current ex-
penses, and has largely reduced them in
many directions.
Other facts might be adduced to show
that the present Congress is doing good
work for the country, and making most
excellent record for itself, but these are
the principal topics which have enlisted
its attention thus far. They all show that
the wholesale abuse which it has re-
ceived, and is constantly receiving, from
the Satanic element OF the opposition
press is but the inspiration Of disap-
pointed ambition in the hearts of very
bad men. If the American people ever
had an opportunity to do justice to an eX-
cellent body of men, it is afforded at the
present time in the persons of the domi-
nant party in Congress. Chicago Inter
10 an