The New York herald., 1878-03-30
Efforts Ended with the Dan
ger That Prompted Them.
A ROSE COLORED VIEW OF THE FUTURE
Suggestions for the Relief of an Over
burdened Congress.
THE HARLEM RIVER IMPROVEMENT
FROM OUR SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT.

WASHINGTON, March 20, 1878.
THE PRESIDENTIAL MISUNDERSTANDING BE-
aAnDINa CHANGE IN THE METHODS OF
AscERrAINING AND DECLARING THE COUNT
HOW THE LABoRs OF CONGRESS CAN BE CUR
TAILED.
The select committee Of the Senate to consider the
methods OF ascsrtainng and declaring the results of
tho Presidential election first meeting to-day
The committee consists OF Senators Edmunds, Conk-
ling, Howe, McMullen, Teller, David Davis, Bayard.
Thurman and Morgan, anu has therefore many OF the
strongest names In the Senate on its list Several
projects wore presented by Senator Merrimon. The
House committee the same subject, consisting OF
hossrs. Southard. Hunton, Potter, House, BicKnell,
Herbert, Carlisle, Butler. Brown, Brogden and Samp.
son, has had several meetings, but has made litte
progress The subject appears attract very lttls
attention here. During the troubled times OF the
last session everybody thought time should be lost
In securing remedy for what to be
grave the country's peace Now.
however, some OF the prudent men In the House say,
that In their belief the danger uncon-
sttutonal and revolutionary control which had been
Exercised over the Southern States during General
Grants admin nistration; that this Of the
cvitable consequences OF the war and has now per-
manently ceased, and that hereafter President
would venture to troops 10 control elections
any Of the States, and the states having regained
local self government, such condition of things
that which obtained In South Carolina, Florida and
Louisiana in the fall OF 1876 again occur Hence,
they say, there Is pressing necessity for cousti
tutiona change, and no mere amendment OF the
present law would be Of important use.
There IL, however, different opinion, which may
make itself heard In one or the other Of the two
committees later In the session. The greatest incon
venionce, in the opinion OF some thoughtful men
here, arises out of the fact that a President comes
into office 80 long alter he Is elected, and
that the Congress chosen with him begins
to act still later, unless he calls an extra
session. Among those who think thus an
amendment has favor which would provide that
the biennial federal elections shall be held Novem-
Der as now; that the Congress chosen shall
semble on tho 1st Of January Immediately following
and that the t1al shall begin the
lst Of January Tue difficulty in getting such
amendment adopted by Congress arises mainly FROM
the TACT that II would curtan tho Of
Congress. II, Tor instance, 1t were part
of the constitution the present House would
dissolve at the midsummer adjournment in
stead Of on the 4th OF March, 1879, the
House chosen next TALL meeting, that case.
on the 1st of January. 1t will be difficult to
two-thirds OF the House much merit IN a measure
which sends them into private life before their ap
pointed time The Inconvenience public Injury of
the present system generally ack wlcdged and
the change could be arranged not to interfere
with or cut OF prematurely the term of the Congress
which mighs be asked to adopt II, II would probably
get unanimous vote.
The one term amendment appears also to have bccn
forgotten In fact, Congress has been busy about
other matters and parties In q stale Of
dsorganization that no one appears to give much
thought TO tho future n It not that the elcc-
tions occur In November there would be a strong
opinion In favor OF having Congress meet a month
earlier than IL does In that case tho commit
tees could perfect q Rreat deal OF important work
before the Christmas holidays and the long session
would be loss apt to into the hot now
constantly does much of the important work of
the session being done when the heat great to
mako hard work endurablc.
But there 10 a growing impression here among
thoughtful men that the business Of Congress is get
ling too vast and boundless and that 1t longer
possible for 1t to act on the multitude of private
claims and private measures which constantly press
upon Its attention. Hence It Ia proposed that all pri-
vate claims shall be sent 10 special claims courts
Dumerous and varied enough 10 do the work prop
ery, and that shall bo taken to put
stop to private special legislation, perhaps by an
amendment prohibiting anything except general laws
equally applicable to ALL II this done Congress
might easily assemble the lat OF Jan uary and get
through its work by the middle Of May, and IL then
the Congress chosen IN November could meet with
the the real Will of the country would nnd
far better expression In the House than now