New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1879-12-02
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The converting of the legislative assembly
that makes, alters and amends the laws for a
nation OF fifty millions OF people is an event
not unworthy special attention. Ia its hands
are great powers and enormous responsibilities
It's members ought to be fully conscious of the
fact. The party in control of such machinery
might reasonably be expected TO show some
signs of appreciation Of its uses and to Indi-
cate some plan or purpose to WELD il for the
general good. How does this Congress
come togethere What plan has the
party in power in both branches7 What
legislation docs it propose ?what ac-
ton of any sort that shall promote the well
fare and prosperity of the peoples BY their
fruits We shall know them. This party has
had partial control of the legislative depart
ment of the country for several years !;
it has had full control for nearly a
year. and it fashioned for its own pur-
poses an emergency that compelled an ex-
ira and extraordinary session, that it might
lose no time in exhibiting its superior capacity
10 its opponent for governing the country
wisely and we'll. 1t thrust itself for
ward with impatience to begin its
task. II could not wait for the full
ness of time. but created an exigency
that compelled its beng assembled months In
advance Of the day fixed by law and with an
indecent haste which there was no crisis to
Justify nor any emergency to excuse, sprawled
and tumblcd into prematurity. This is not Its
first appearance. We have had sight of it
before. That exhibition, il must be said
has given us no reason to expect much wis
dom in its work, or much soundness in its pol
icy. We can only be disappointed, happily, in
its performances. If in this session the major
jtv should be ss wild and reckless as in the last,
il will he only what we might reasonably ex-
pect; if it should, on the contrary, show the
slightest sign of sagacity or sense, we shall be
able by so much TO congratulate ourselves and
the public.
But what are these men--tbe leaders of the
dominant party-dong to show an apprccia-
ton of their responsibilities or their fitness
for the work in handf What do they talk
about Nothing under Heaven except the best
and by that they mean the cunningest and
shrewdcst---policy for the party TO pursue. For
the party not as the agent Of the people TO
manage pubic a1fairs prudently, but for the
party as AN organization seeking by sharp
tickery, intrigue, demagogism, or what
ever means, to compass future sue
cess and seize the spoils and plum
der OF the Federal Offices. They scarcely
pretend to make any concealment OF it, What
is on their tongues and in their minds
to-day; what they think about aud talk
about. and devote all their great powers to,
is the best plan. not to keep the
country steady in its present prosperous
march, or promote its material progress, but to
shake of che odium of their disgraceful blum
ders in the past, and by some feint or dodge
reinstate themselves IL the good graces
OF the people who haye so unmistak-
ably repudiated them. Ii is sigrif-
cant comment upon the professions OF
superior capability III this party, that their
chief endeavor now is TO forget all that was
done in tie Extra Session, which they forced
upon the country for the sole purpose of ex-
hibting themselves. The Extra Session, which
was to do 80 much for them, has hardly de-
fender to-day. There may be one or two who,
when driven to il, Will undertake IA feeble
extenuatlon OF that eeregious blunder. but
there is not one who will not admit that il
sgas a blunder. and that the party, instead OF