Wood County reporter. [volume] (Grand Rapids [i.e. Wisconsin Rapids], Wis.) 1857-1923, 1879-07-10
Republican Senatorial Comm.

CONGRESS ADJOURNED Wednesday
July I'd. The work which ought to
have been accomplished in ten days
has occupied nearly half as many
months, involving an expense to the
country of over 100000 and after
all, the.work for which it was convened
has not been consumated The demo-
cratic majority of Brigadier Confeder,
ates were determined at the opening
of the extra session to permit no APP
preparation bill to pass that did not
contain within its text, one or more
clauses which should wipe out the cx-
listing federal election laws, the sole
object of which was to reinstate the
old order Of things in tie South at
the polls, the fruit of which has been
to drive away from, or prevent coming
to the polls, legally qualified voters
who choose to vote the Republican
ticket. Day after day, week after
week, for nearly four successive months
the rebellious element stroye to win by
drafting bills with such riders as in
their passage and the consequent sign
ing by the president, would accomplish
the end sought. Five successive bills
with such riders, were vetoed by the
president, and the Democratic Con-
gress not having the necessary two
thirds vote to pass such bills over the
vetoes, was obliged to witness its trail
torous designs frustrated
Open threats were made to starve
the government by Withholding appro-
priations and but for the anathamas of
the people, which the leaders wisely
saw, would inevitably be poured upon
them, they would have adjourned the
session and thus closed the wheels of
government to the detriment Of every
branch of industry, and the humilia-
ton of the nation in the eyes of all
Christendom.
1t was no love for the government
which prompted the voting Of appro-
priations without the riders mentioned,
but an apprehension rather Of disaster
to the organization which has shown
itself no less disloyal to-day than in
the days Immediately preceding the
rebellion. As it is, all that was re-
quired for the successful operation Of
the functions of the government have
been voted, save paltry sum Of
100000 which was needed to pro
vide for the payment of Marshals and
their deputies. The session adjourned
Immediately after the vetoing Of The
bill providing this sum which had at
tached to it a rider virtually multiplying
the election laws and making it pena
effcnse for any judge to enforce sucf
laws. After the veto, Presiden
Hayes sent message to congress call
ing the attention of the body to tht
fact that such appropriation was nee
cssary, but actuated by a spirit o
hatred for the government and imbuet
with the spirit of rebellion, the bod,
gave 70 heed to the suggestions of tn
president and adjourned, thus starvin;
this branch of the civil service.
What the effect will be, it is diff
cult to determine, but it cannot fail t
prove disastrous.
Commissioner RAUM thus brief
states the position in which the gos
eminent is placed by the cowardly &C
of the Confederate Brigadiers
1.-The failure to provide for deput
marshals was virtual repeal of tn
criminal portion of the law relating t
illicit distilling. Deputy collectors {
internal revenue have power to max
seizures of property for violations c
the law. but have not the power t
make arrests. If a person was detec
ed in Illicit distilling he could not pr
vent the officers from Selling the di
tIllery, but he could stand still an
defy arrest BY next Sunday ever
distiller in the country will know VIII;
the effect will be of having no deput
marshals to aid the revenue officer
and [ suppose the dishonest ones wi
seek to take advantage of the cripple
condition of the Office
In view of the fact, that the moo
sinners of Kentucky and North Car
lima have been successfully resistir
the law, it will be seen that they vi
now have things their own way, aft
score of lives and hundreds Of tho
sands of dollars have been sacrifice
Let the thoughtful law abiding dem
Gratis of Wood County and of Wisco
sin think of these things when til,
go to the polls in 1879 and 1890.