New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-06-18

Ordinates. But the multitude OF Southern
claims, in number az the lice of Egypt gained
no consideration In the House because 1t was
certain that they would be killed by Republican
yotes in the Senate, and those interested were
not anxious 10 throw away by foolish haste
their chance of success after a Democratic
Senate comes in next March. seli
I II Is said that few Jobs have succeeded. Bat
jobs have rarely prevailed during the session
Just preceding Congressional elections AT
that session members devote themselves TO
the things which they think VIII please con-
stitutents, and curb their lareenous propensi-
ties 30 far as they ssn. Va bad Con
gress. the long session which precedes an
election is usually ruled by the demagoguej
the short session which follows an cleo
ton is ruled by the jobber. So mis-
government by pandering to the mob alter
mates With misgOvernment by robbing the
Treasury. The last session does not shine by
comparison with others preceding elections.
It was the demagogue's turn, and the dema-
gogue fairly eclipsed all his past performances.
If, when his turn comes, the jobber equally
distinguishes himself next Winter, this Con-
gress will make for itself a new high-water
mark Of raseality. It's temper and character
appear in the River and Harbor bill. Greed
without limit, audacity without shame, dis
honesty without disguise, are therein mani
tested. Turn such body loose upon the
Treasury, with half its members defeated,
and the rest embOldened by, late success, and
with Senate to match the House, and the
Treasury would be IN greater danger of bank
ruptcy by plumber than it has been of bank
1uptcy by repudiating demagogism. U08r,
Experienced observers doubt whether, in all
the long and dismal history Of Congressional
misconduct, the public business has ever been
as shamefully neglected before. Great appro-
priation bills have been huddled into the last
crazy hours of an eight months session, and
passed in such haste that no living man can
possibly know what they contain. Mr.. Atkins
is decidedly the reverse of competent for the
Craftsmanship of the Committee on Appropri-
ations, but he ia not dishonest man. and has
tried TO do what he could, no doubt. His
committee has defed law by pOstponing the
report of bills far beyond the prescribed date,
and it has become plain that there ought to
be some provision that can neither be re-
pealed nor evaded requiring not only the prep
aration and report of the Appropriation bills
by certain date, but their consideration with
preference over all other business until they
are finished. The lobbyist and briber have
rare opportunities, when the most important
legislation Of whole year is thus done in the
dark. It is scandal to the country, and
reproach to free institutions, that the most
dangerous measures are thus habitually de-
ferred to the most dangerous moments
Neither party has much to boast Of,
In connection with this session. The Re-
publican members have stopped o great
deal of mischief. But some of the worst bills
have passed with the aid of majority
of Republicans, and some of the grossest and
most miscbievous plumbers have been perpe-
trated by Senators on that side. 1t is not so
much a compliment 10 them, as q disgrace to
the Democratic majority in the House, that
the Republicans appear well by contrast.
They have saved the public credit from much
harm have preserved the public tranquility
IN spite of schemes OF desperate revolution
lists have saved industry from the incalculable
disturbance threatened by Mr.. Woods tariff
bill and have prevented, by their frmness
and vigilance, any effort to pass most OF the
bills urged by jobbers and Southern claimants.
The Republican members took the fangs from
the Silver bill, and made 1t harmless. They
guarded the public honor. and prevented re-
pudiation and repeal Of the Resumption Act.
Those who have played the demngogue, and
have helped the Democratic majority in It's
assaults upon the public faith, viii not be
forgotten, bat the faithful members who have
done their duty so wen during long and try
inc session may rest assured that they WIN DO
remembered with gratitude.