Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1878-06-24
TEE LATE SESSION OF CONGRESS.

1t did some wise things, some foolish
ones too. and left undone other matters
that should have been acted on. Proba-
BY the best that can be said Of congress
is that no jobs for the benefit of individ-
uals or corporations met its approval.
In fact this has been the rule since the
Democrats gained control Of the house
in 1874. Before that time the corpora
tons aud lobbyists dominated in both
branches, and at the close OF every SEES
sioA it was discovered that the corpora
tons and lsnd-grabbers had get in some
quiet work for despoiling the treasury.
At this session very liberal ideas pre-
vailed in regard to the appropriation Of
public moneys for improvement pur
poses. While the Democratic house has
gone to the other verge Of GOerality it
has shown q keener sense Of economy
than has the senate, which Is the strong
hold Of the jobbers. All the sppropria.
ton bills we're largely increased BY the
senate. In conference committees, in
the usual course Of splitting the differ.
eRces, the appropriations we're steadily
increased over the original house figures.
The financial legislation was important.
First came the silver bill, passed over the
Presidents veto. The act Of May 81
prohibited the cancellation and retire
ment after that date Of legal tenders,
and provided for the reissue OF notes
redeemed or received into the treasury
under law. An act approved May
2 prohibited the further coinage
of the twenty cent silver piece.
The repeal of the resumption law failed
in the senate, and also the bill making
greenbacks receivable for custom duties
after October lst, after it had passed the
house, and been approved in another
form by the senate. 1t will 90 through
at the next session. The Thurman Pa.
ci6c railroad legislation was probably
the most important Of the session, aa
evideucing a purpose to exact from the
railroad corporations, which were ON
nipotent with the Republicans when in
control Of both branches, a rigid compli.
snce with their contract with the govern
ment. Under the Thurman bill the Pa.
ciic railroads are required to pay to the
United States annually a sun Sufficient
to liQuidate their Indebtedness (now
nearly 500, 900, OOO) when it becomes
due twenty years hence. Penalties are
provided in Ease of failure aud the gov
eminent reserves the right to alter or re
peal the law at any time. This is what
the railroad attorney, Jim Blaine,
fought against. AS indicating a new
departure, this one law will redeem
the session from much Of the
odium that is cast upon it. The bank
rupt law was repealed by act Of June I,
the repeal taking effect September /,
cases instituted and pending in any
court prior to which date not being
affected. In respect Of all pains, penal.
ties and forfeilures incurred under ex
listing acts before September l, or there.
after, under any provisions Of acts kept
in force, ETC., the acts repealed continue
in full force and effect till the cases are
fully disposed Of. The appropriations
for the Indian service reach about S..
900, 900, but the senate refused to con
cur in the house proposition to transfer
the control Of the bureau to the wal de-
p%artment; a measure of the utmost i'm
portsnce, and undoubtedly in the inter.
est OF peace and the protection Of both
Indians and settlers. This question
was given TO a special committee to
investigate and report to the next SEES.
sion The army appropriation bill
leaves the strength unchanged, but re-
duces the allowance for quarters, and
abolishes all extra allowances, as
those for fuel and forage. There
are 10 DO no promotions dur.
inx The year 90 the stat, nor