Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-11-29
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.

Congress will assemble in regular session
on Monday next. There are, as yet, no in
dications as to the policy to be pursued, or as
to how long the session will last. Speoula-
ton, indeed, is rife, but as far as we have
been able to learn none of the leaders Of
either party, who, to great extent, dictate
the course Of their associates, have declared
their intentions. 1t is probable, however,
that this session will be long one, and de-
voted largely to the discussion of questions
having only partisan bearing. Such a
condition of things is inseparable from a
meeting Of our representative body on the
eve Of Presidential election.
There are some things that Congress
should and should not do at the approaching
session. It should make haste to provide
for the necessities of the government BY
passing the appropriation bills as early as
they can DO properly considered. But it
should exercise great care az to the purposes
for which appropriations are made. There
is tendency, altogether too marked of late,
to attempt to curry favor in certain localities
BY lavish appropriations Of the public funds
for local enterprises. The Republicans when
in power have usually voted large sums for
public buildings in cities and districts almost
equally divided as to politics, and we regret
to say that their example has been followed
only too closely by the Democrats. It is a
pernicious custom, amounting in effect to
the purchase of votes, and ought to be inter-
dicted.
Every department of the government save
one-the treasury-asks for an increase Of
appropriations over last year. The war de-
partmsnt is the most modest of the
lot, as it simply asks for $3.50 more than it
had last year. The navy department., not
withstanding the fact that last years appro-
priation was more than sufficient to meet all
expenses, demande an increase of 100000.
The state department asks about tho same
amount; the postofice about two millions:
the department of justice seven hundred
thousan6; the interior department. about
four hundred thousand, and that monument
al fraud, LIE Due, wants an extra two hun
lred thousand dollars to experiment on the
raising OF bamboo and tea. Nearly all of
these increased appropriations are wholly
unnecessary. If proper economy is usei the
of the departments can be de-.
creased without detriment to the service,
and it is the duty of Congress and it's COM
mittees to closely scrutinize every item, and
gee that the expenses are properly gagged.
Congress should see to it that the great
number of superduous boards are reduced in
number. We have national board of health
that cost the country last year about three
hundred thousand dollars. Its record dur
ing the yellow fever epidemic at Memphis
demonstrated it's uselessness and tho utter
lncapaclty OF its members. It's abolition
ought to be the first work of Congress. Our
Indian system requires revision. The policy
heretofore pursued has been little short of
inbecile. 1t has not prevented outbreaks by
the savages, and it has not insured greater
honesty on tho part of the agents. The alb
origines are plundered with all the old-time
regularity, and of course take their revenge
in the customary manner. It may be neces-
sary to transfer their custody and care to the
war department. The effort, OF any rate,
will be made, and there is promise of live
ly controversy over the question. If the
transfer is not made, something ought
to be done that will give security to tho
frontier-prevent the periodical outbreaks
resulting always in bloodshed, rapins and
disorder.
Our diplomatic service will bear attention.
For the past two years at least two of the
most important missions have been .praoti-
cally vacant more than half the time. Our
interests do not appear to have suffered, and
the fact raises the question as to whether
the expensive system now in vogue
heritage from the monarchism of Europe-
cannot be dispensed with entirely, or at least
modified So as to relieve our people of the
burdens Of the system while receiving all its
advantages. Our ministers abroad act SIM
ply as commercial agents-nothing more
and the appointment of such agents would
serve all the purposes now served by our
costly diplomatic service.
There should be no effort made to manu-
facture political capital, especially on the
part of the Democrats. A strict attention to
business will be the best Recommendation
that party can have to the public confidence.
The Republicans will no doubt endeavor to
involve their opponents in sectional quar-
rel, but the Democrats will suffer nothing by
refusing the gauntlet cast down. Let the
Democrats take care to make no mistakes.
for if any are made they are likely to be
vital in the coming Presidential election.