Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1878-06-26
The Last Congress.

The sense of relief which every one feels
now that Congress has adjourned, and its
further field for mischief is closed, is a mat
ter upon which all are to be congratulated.
During its long session of eight months it
has been constant menace and embarass-
ment to all business interests. Everybody
has either been disguised with what it was
doing or stood in dread of what it might do.
This is not the only Congress which has
perpetrated grave political or public wrongs,
but it is doubtful if the country has ever
witnessed Congress so utterly reckless, ir
responsible and incapable as that which
now closes its first session. The only bar
rier which the most reckless and incompetent
House of Representatives the country has
ever known has met, has been Republican
Senate. Yet this Senate has been so evenly
balanced between the two political parties
as to impair its usefulness, and render it
less aggressive than it otherwise would have
proved. There has been scarcely period
during all the long session which has not
witnessed some disturbing agitation. The
House has shown its INSCRIPTIONS character
by the most gross and scandalous partisan
ship in unseating members who were right
fully elected and seating in their places men
who VIGOROUSLY had no claims except that
they would add one more to the majority.
This reckless perversity was further illus
trated in the hot haste with which it passed
the most extreme and pernicious measures
of finance. Then for months it deranged
and unsettled many business interests by the
threat and the discussion of new tariff,
which was fortunately defeated in the end.
1t struck another blow at public confidence
in its wicked crusade to paralyze the army
and leave the country without the protec-
ton which that small but effective force of
fers against such dangers as those of last
summer. And to crown all, it set out to un-
dertake new revolution on the Presiden-
tial question, and was only compelled to de-
sist from its design by the utter failure of
its investigation and the unmistakable man.
ifestations of popular indignation.
Happily, amid the wranglings and diverse
interests represented in the House, the
amount of legislation actually accomplished
is very meagre, and can be briefly summed
up. One of the principal acts affecting the
business interests of the country was that of
June 18th, repeating the bankrupt law. The
repeal takes effect September LIST, cases in
stituted and pending in any court prior to
which date not being affected. In respect
of all pains, penalties and forfeitures in
CURED under existing acts before Septem-
Der LIST, or thereafter, 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 In financial
legislation, the first act was that famous one
passed over the Presidents veto, February
28th, 1878, making the silver dollar of four
hundred and twelve and one-half grains
legal tender, except where expressly stipu-
lated by contract. To the International
Monetary Conference to establish bi-me-
tallic standard, commission composed of
Messrs. w. s. Groesbeck, f. A. Walker and
Reuben +. Fenton, has been appointed. The
acI vi May olst pronlDlttu Tue cdnceudJIOn
and retirement after that date of legal ten
ders, and provided for the reissue of notes
redeemed or received into the treasury under
law. An act approved May I'd prohibited
the further coinage of the twenty-cent sill
yer piece.
In the departments, the army bill leaves
the military force unchanged at twenty-five
thousand men. For the navy for the year
ending June Both, 1878, deficiency appro-
priation act provides s1,446,6Ss.16 for pay,
and that OF May 4th, 1878, for the incoming
fiscal year, appropriates for pay (active list)
$685., 875. The Indians are left under the
charge Of the Department of the Interior,
and the act of May 9th appropriates for
the bureau for the next fiscal year about 3d.
100000. There was some Pacific railroad leg
islation and a large number of acts regulat-
ing mail-lettings and postal contracts, the
settlement of the public lands, bidding for
army contracts, District of Columbia affairs,
the consular service, and other matters of
no great general interest