New-York tribune., 1878-06-24
THIS CONGRESS A FAILURE.


definite threats in connection with the subject
THIS CONGRESS A FAILURE.
A RECORD OF WASTED OPPORTUNITIES AND OF
OMISSION TO DISCHARGE IT'S FIRST AND MOST
IMPORTANT DUTY TO THE REPUBLIC.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE.l
WASHINGTON, June 21.-The XLVth Congress, un-
less il does something during its third session to
save Its reputation (of which even its best friends
entertain little hOpe), will go into history MS
one of the most incompetent that has ever
assembled in Washington. The only APP
proprate confession for it's members to make
as they return to the people is that familiar
one in the Episcopal service: "We have left un-
done those things which we ought to have done,
and we have done those things which we ought not
to have done, and there is no health in us"
The failure of Congress to accomplish more was
not due to the lack of opportunity, entirely to
the want of leaders in the House of Representatives
to which attention was directed yesterday.
No body of, men has had greater opportunities.
Many of the exciting political questions that have
occupied the attention of Congress for so many
years have been removed from the arena of popular
discussion and indeed, it is to be hoped will have
to be dealt with no more by the National
Legislature. Reconstruction seems at last TO have
been accomplished, and there is reason to believe
that society in the South will gradually settle
down into normal state of quiet and order. The
political condition Of that section Of the country
may not be in all respects just what Northern Re-
pubEicans think it ought to be- but the Southern
problem" will undoubtedly have to be dealt
with by the South in the future and
not by Congress. 1t occupied none of the time
of the session just closed The same remark is true
of other questions. This Congress has not, there
foro hod . ha hat
consumed its time and diverted the attention of its
members. The two or three political episodes that
occurred, like the struggle over the Potter
resolution were mere rDples on the surface Of the
session, and occupied very little Of its time.
This Congress has failed to accomplish anything.
simply because IT unequal to the task either of
comprehending what needed to be done, or of doing
it when the way was pointed out. One OF two ex-
amples are sufficient to prove the truth of this
remark
If there ever has been a solemn duty devolving
upon a Congress since the foundation of the Gov
eminent, it was the duty of the XLVth Congress to
devise means of making a repetition of the cleo
toral controversy Of 1s76J77 forever impossible.
Few who did not spend the Winter after the last
Presidential election in Washington know how mar
row was the country's escape from civil war.
The defects in our electoral system out Of which the
entire controversy grew have not been recently
discovered. They had caused the counting
of the votes in 1869 and 1873 to be attended
with great excitement and some danger,
and had convinced every thoughtful statesman
that the time would certainly come, unless remedy
was devised when the peace of the country would
be placed in jeopardy by dispute over the count
ing of the electoral votes. Senator Morton was per-
haps more deeply impressed with this danger than
any other public man. and abored earnestly for four
years to induce Congress to make the necessary
changes in the laws. Finally the crisis
came and the country barely escaped all the horrors
Of another civil strife through the calmness and
patriotism of statesmen of both political parties
The means by which the controversy was settled
can never again be resOrted to. That is universally
admitted Nothing, therefore, can be more criminal
than 10 allow the country to drift along into another
similar contest. 1t was the duty Of this Congress
10 take this question in hand and to deal with 1t
boldly and promptly. 1t ought to have been dis
posed of during the long session which has just
now closed. The events of the previous
wear were still fresh in the minds OF
the people. No candidates for the next
Presidential election are yet in the field. Their
names have hardly been suggested, even In private
political circles. No one could foresee that either
political party would gain any advantage by the
adoption of any well matured plan-and there was
time enough 10 zeal Wltl QtslIoH WIN
deliberation. Nor was the subject novel as 10
make il present unusual difficulties. 1t has been
discussed for years by some of the abest men in the
country. and the fruits of their investigations
were all accessible. Next Winter the session
is only three months in length, and will
be entirely occupied in passing under high
pressure those measures that absolutely neces-
sary TO keep the wheels of the Government moving;
and the first session Of the XLVIth Congress Will
be the Presidential session, when 1t will be in vain
TO hope for legislation this subject. The failure
Of Congress 20 do its duty during the eight months
that have just passed probably means, therefore,
that we shall go into another Presidential campaign
with the possibility Of its being followed by another
electoral controversy and the tremendous cOhse-
duences Of q failure 10 adjust 1t.
Instances Of the neglect OF Congress to do IT'S duty
during the session Just closed might be clted Dy te
score and every reader will recall them. The bill
for tile classification Of mail matter, upon which the
Post Office Department spent months OF labor, was
allowed 10 fail, as were many Others necessary LOT
the greater efficiency Of the executive departments
The incompetence of Congress is due not only to
lack Of leadership but also III the House OF hepIe-
gentatlyes, 20 lack Of men among the majority VINO
have practical experience capacity. TO through
the whole list of committees, and how many
of them have accomplished anything OF I'M
pOrtance during the last session. There nave
hardly been half a dozen reports OF strlk-
ing importance The Congress has spent its
time I'm pandering TO the predjudices Of Ignorant
Constituents IN regard to currency, imitation and
Kindred subjects Nothing has seemed worthy OF
attention TO the average Representative unless it
was supposed 10 have some bearing on his popu-
larity at home.