Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1878-10-16
The Coming Session Of Congress.

In less than seven weeks the Forthwith Con-
greSS will have resumed its second and final
session. By constitutional limitation 1t must
adjourn sac die on March 4th next While there
are great many political schemers who would
be glad TO interpose captious opposition to Sec
Rotary Sherman'S resumption plan, it is not
thought that there will be any practical legisla-
ton accomplished which will retard the return
to specie basis on the 1St OF January next. 1t
is quite probable that the Senate bill, making
greenbacks receivable for certain duties and
for the purchase OF per cent bonds, will be
passed by the House in thS first week of its ses-
sion. III not passed before January 1St there
will be no necessity fol- its passage, as the
greenbacE, Under the resumption act. will then
have by l;.w the same purchasing power as the
gold dollar. With the great probability that
the financial question will not be a disturbing
element, ut least after January 1St next, it is
not believed much will be done in the way of
new financial legislation by the present Con-
greSS. Provision will have 10 be made for the
taking OF the next census. II is also probable
that some method of determining the result of
an election OF President and Vice President,
which will do away with the troubles which
Threatened the country two years ago. will be
agreed upon The appropriation bills. it is
thought, will be passed without much opposition
and the outlook is that there Will be no oc-
caSiOn which Will require the converting OF
the FOrty-Sixth Congress in extraordinary Ses-
sion. Tie republicans will certainly desire to
prevent an extra session, as both branches of
the legislative department Will, undoubtedly. be
then democratic, and special session would
mean tie reorganization of the Senate with
democratic officers. Prominent democratic SEN
atOrs that il is not the desire OF their party
TO force an extra session. because until. in the
course OF events. the proper and regular time
arrives for the Senateis reorganization they
hardly care TO bring that event about solely for
the purpose of dividing the few offices which
the control Of the Senate gives the democratic
party. OF course, some of the Old schemes Will
be brought before Congress. The tobacco men
will clamOr for a reduction of the tobacco tax:
the whisky men will seek a reduction of the tax
On spirits: there may, too. DE a renewed agita-
ton OF the tariff question: the Presidential un-
pleaSantne>S will be brought into the House by
the report OF the Potter investigating commit
tee: the few greenbackerS in the present Con-
gresS will De loaded with buncombe resolutions
Tor effect at home. but despite all this the out
look is that nothing much will be done for good
or Ill. beyond the necessary work OF Congress-
the passage of the regular appropriation bills.
The color question crops out ctIriously i'm
Baltimore sometimes. In the trial of a case in
inc tOuit OI cOHiLOn pleas yesterday one of the
counsel. NJ. O'Brien. made some alUSions to
what had been said by .darkey" who had
testified the previous day. Judge Brown sug-
geSted to counsel that il would be better to
speak OF him as a ''cOlOred man." rather than
'darkey, which term his honor appeared to
regard as Objectionable. Mr.. O'Brien, in reply.
thought. with all Difference to his hOnor,S opin-
ION, that II was matter OF taste; all the law
books and legal papers spoke OF this class of
people as negroes he had only kindly feel
ingS towards them, and in using the word ..dar-
key r" he did so to avoid term which was dis
agreeable to most OF them. The Judge signified
his satisfaction with the cOunSar.3 explanation
and the regular business was resumed The
colored people OF Baltimore, ii may be said, are
making considerable progress, and many of
them are no longer sneered at Us '.niggers"
At the meeting OF the school board last night
TWO petitions were received, one from colOred
citizens, asking for the establishment OF an
evening school for coiOred persons, to remain
open during the winter; and one from the pr.
pills OF the highest class in a colOred grammar
school, saying that they had completed their
studies in the school, and asking for the estat-
llshment OF an additional grade, so as to enable
petitioners Ito become an ornament to sOci-
ety." Both communications were referred to
the committee on colored schools.