Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-03-03
CONGRESS-.


gress will pass from the scenes of the present
to the domain of the past, and whatever of
good or of evil it shall have done will have
passed into history. We fear that when the
books are balanced it will be found that too
little good and too much of that which is
evil has been accomplished.
During the session that is just closing
there has been more that the usual amount
of partisan legislation and debate. The
Republican party, desperate in the conscious
ness that their tenure of power was about to
come to an end, have sought by every means
in their power to recover their lost advantage
and to cast odium upon the party that is
about to take its place. Early in the session
that the Democrats, more especially at the
South, had been guilty of the greatest
violence, intimidation and fraud at the Con-
gressionat elections last fall, and an
investigation was set on foot with
the determination to prove the charges at
any cost. The results of that inquiry are
far from satisfactory to them. It has been
shown by the most indisputable evidence
that the elections were exceptionally free
from undue influences, and that where dis
turbances occurred at the polls they were OF
character that could compromise no party
but simply such eructions of partisan power
as occur among Republicans and Democrats
alike at almost every polling place in the
country.
The Democrats have attempted a good
deal of partisan legislation. They have in
sisted that those relics of monarchism that
were the product of the war-the iron-clad
test oath for jurors, the law giving federal
supervisors control of elections, and one or
two like statutes, should be repealed, and to
that end have made determined stand. In
their position they are sustained by ma
jority of the people of the whole country,
who regard these acts as an infringement OF
the rights reserved to the States by the con-
stitution, and a menace to the individual
liberty of the citizen. Thus far they have
only partially succeeded in their purpose,
but the prospect is that before the session
closes complete success will be attained.
As to results accomplished: It has been
distinctly shown that the Democratic party
will not consent to the abrogation or viola
ton of any of the constitutional amend
ments, nor approve of the war claims of
those who were in rebellion against the gov
eminent. These principles have been assert
ed in language and by acts that cannot be
misunderstood. The charge, therefore, that
when the Democratic party comes into
power it would pay.thess claims out of the
public treasury, is effectually disposed of.
Another thing has been accomplished
the practical settlement of the claims for
arrearages of pensions due the soldiers of
the union. Despite the opposition of the
Republican party press and the practical
opposition of the whole party, that bill has
passed and become law. True, it
involves a large expenditure, but it
is an expenditure for law
full and praiseworthy purpose, and we pre-
sumo that no truly patriotic man will object
to the payment of his share of this just
debt-a debt incurred for the preservation
of the federal union and rendered obligatory
by the sufferings of SO many men in camp
and battle field.
The appropriations for river and harbor
improvements have been somewhat more
lavish than heretofore, yet they have been
necessary. Their apportionment has been
far more equitable than formerly, and if ju-
diciously expended will result in an extra
ordinary developments of the resources of
the country. Minnesota has received a
larger share than usual, but every citizen
knows that every dollar of the amount is
needed.
The attempt of the House to reduce the
cost of the diplomatic service has partially
failed through the opposition of the Senate,
yet q slight saving has been effected, for
which the country is grateful. Some use
less cousulntes have been abolished and some
needed reforms in the service inaugurated.
A measure of doubtful propriety- bill
restricting Chinese immigration has passed
both houses, but has been vetoed by Mr..
Hayes. There is much to be said on both
sides Of this question, but the fact remains
that the bill is in contravention of the Amer
lean idea that this country should be the
asylum for the oppressed Of all nations.
We harbor no particular good will for the
Chinese, for we esteem them to be q very
undesirable class of citizens; yet the bill
establishes dangerous precedent, and may
involve us in serious complications. If
Congress has the power to prohibit the i'm
migration of one class of people, it has the
power to prohibit the immigration of all
classes. The mistake made was in not de-
fning the distinction between immigration