Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-04-02
THE DEBATES IN CONGRESS.


members of Congress disposition to pro-
long the debate on the appropriation bills far
beyond its legitimate extent, and by that
means to extend the session of Congress for
a month or more. Three weeks Of the ses-
sion have already passed, and absolutely
nothing has been done. Only the uncon-
tested sections of the army bill have been
considered in the House, while no progress
whatever has been made in the Senate. In
the House elaborate preparations are being
made for extended deba to on the contested
clauses of the two bills. On the part of the
Republicans Garfield, Frye, Hawley, Robe
son and Hiscock are announced for speeches,
while on the Democratic side we are threat
ened by Hurd, Carlisle, Knott, Chalmers,
Hooper, Bragg and Cox. It is quite proba-
BILE that each of these orators will occupy q
full legislative day, while the incidental de-
bate that will arise outside of the set speech
es will consume at least week more. Thus
we find that at least three weeks will be con-
sumed in debate upon propositions that are
already fully understood by every member Of
both houses of Congress, and by every read
ing man in the country. 1t is probable that
in the Senate an equal amount of time will
be consumed, and there is, therefore, little
prospect of final action on these bills sooner
than the goth of May.
While we can hardly blame the Republi-
cans for desiring to air their eloquence on
the questions involved in the bills-for we
recognize the naturalness of dying party
wishing to avert blow that will prove its
certain death-there is no occasion for the
Democrats wasting their energies in debate
| that all reasoning mon regard as useless.
| The party is arrayed on behalf of the free
dom of elections, and has promised to re-
move the last barrier to an absolutely free
expression of the public will al
the polls. Its position has already
been clearly defined by leading repre-
sentatives. Nothing more is required
save, perhaps, reiteration of the principles
of the party by some representative man
who can present them in a clear and for
chile light. This can be done as we'll by one
as by dozen speakers. To waste week OF
more in fruitless debate would be the height
of folly, and we trust the Democrats will ex-
hibit more sense than to do so. They car
afford to allow the Republicans to consume
all the time they require, and to prolong tn.
session as long as they wish, but should no
assist in such a scheme. Everything ought tt
be done to shorten the session that lies in th,
power of the Democrats, and the onus O
extending it placed upon the Republicans
What the people desire is short session
as short as the interests of the country vii
admit of. It therefore behooves the Demo
Gratis to refrain from any useless debate o
from other devices that may serve to exten,
the session, and to close up business a
speedily as possible. By pursuing such
course they will rise in the public estima
ton, and add greatly to their strength in tn
next Presidential election, but by pursuin
an opposite course they will lose immeas
urably. Let wisdom govern the deliberation
of the Democrats and all will. be we'll, but n
f risks should be run through too great anx
f ETY. to explain opinions that are already we
understood.