The New York herald., 1879-03-04
Last Hours OF the Forty-anh Congress.

tration which cannot be looked upon as "a
success, although it has some bright or at
least some alleviating features. There is no
reason for expecting that the last two years
Of President Hayes term will be more sue
cessful than the first two years. During the
first half of his term he has had Senate OF
his own party; during the last half the
Senate as we'll as the House will be demo-
cratic. But it would be maucaise pld's-
dnterie to suggest that he loses anything by
this change in the party majority OF the SEN
ate The republican Senators that Is to say,
the greater part of the republican Senators
have done their best to thwart and annoy
him. Such Of his nominations as he has
felt most interest in have been confirmed
only by the aid Of democratic votes, many
more democrats than republicans voting to
sustain his nominations He cannot be
worse of with an opposition Senate. In
deed he will be better of, because 1t will
be no modification to have his appoint
ments rejected by o Senate in which his
political opponents are to have majority.
During the last half of his term President
wounded in the house of his friends.
Still, the unpleasant fact remains that
he will continue to be crippled
President, dependent on his political
adversaries for the success Of every meas
ure which he recommends and Of every
nomination which he makes. No President
has ever been conspicuously useful without
n majority of his own party in both houses
of Congress. The administration of Mr.
Hayes will always be classed among the
weakest in the history Of the government;
weaker than those Of Polk and Pierce, be-
cause those two Presidents had q strong
majority Of their own political party in both
houses of Congress, and resembling those
of Tyler and Fillmore in the fact that Con-
gress was adverse to them. Tylers admin
istratiOn was greater failure than ri Fillmore's
because the compromise measures of the
latter were warmly supported by majority
of both political parties. There is no con-
spicuous measure of President Hayes which
has been or is likely to be supported by
either party, much less by both.
Mr.. Hayes civil service policy, on which
he laid great stress in his letter of accept.
ance and inaugural address, has proved an
utter failure. His Southern policy, which
ranked next in his own estimation, has been
consistently repidiated by his own party,
and the expiring hours Of this session are
marked by u struggle or squabble in which
the whole body OF republicans in Congress
is contending for the maintenance of laws
which are in direct contravention Of Mr..
Hayes magnanimous professions toward
the South. 1t is too evident that
dence neither of the party that elected
him nor Of the party which op-
posed his election. With the best and
purest intention no lacks the faculty OF
swaying and controlling men-that first and
most essential attribute of the statesman.
All the influence he exerts is the mere in
fuence OF his station, superadding to it
none Of the personal ascendancy by which
public men of great force of character
utilize high Office by subjugating other
wills to their own.
Still, President Hayes, during the first
half of his term, has done one or two really
creditable things. The successful meas
ures for the resumption of specie payments
reflect honor on his administration, al
though they are rather due to Sec
retary Sherman than to the Presi-
dent. In spite of the Silver bill and
in spite of the law requiring the redeemed
greenbacks to be paid out and kept in CIR
mi haa
success. It is the crowning honor of this
administration. 1t is success won against
great obstacles and q formidable opposition
in Congress. The transition to specie pay
ments has been so smooth, SO quiet, so free
from the slightest jar or business disturb
ance, and it is, moreover, so cordially ac-
cepted by the people, that it would bo un-
just and ungenerous to withhold from this
administration the praise which is due to
so great an achievement. Mr.. Hayes
also deserves unstinted praise for his
recent courageous and judicious veto
Of the anti Chinese bill. But even these
heads Of commendation illustrate Mr..
Hayes lack of ascendancy over Congress.
The Resumption act was passed under the
administration Of General Grant. Had it
not been already on the statute books it
could not have been carried through this
Congress by the influence of President
Hayes. Hc had only to administer a law
which was already in existence. SO the
Burlingame Treaty had been ten years
in force. He could not have got
such o treaty ratified had it been ne
gotiated by himself. Instead of controlling
Congress he defeated the will of Congress
by his Veto This corroborates our state
ment that the influence Of President Hayes
is merely the influence of his Office exerted
by the aid Of past legislation and an exist.