New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-11-24


excuse that they were imposed upon, not
only refuse to assist in the capture and pun
ishment of the villains who deceived them'
but are actually engaged in obstructihg Tue
pursuit Better clear the skirts of the party
of participation IN these infamous crimes De-
fore undertaking the role of Civil Service Ke-
formers.
TIE DUTY OFDEMOCR17IC CONGRESSuEN.
The coming session of Congress ought to be
peculiarly useful one vast amount OF
public business, which really needs attention,
has accumulated while Congress has been busy
in preparing for Presidential election. Ever
sinee 1876. the Democratic majority has been
sacrificing almost every public interest, in
preparing for the great struggle which has now
ended The session of that winter was manly
devoted TO the electoral controversy; then
came investigation of " the great fraad,' ana
of almost everything else conceivable with "a
view of influencing public opinion; and after
ward the struggle 10 gain favor for the Demo
cratic party Oy repeating the Resumption act,
pleasing the inilatOnsts, coming silver, tear
ing down the tariff and arresting the tide OF
prosperity which, it was clearly toreseen by Mr..
the Republicans. When that line of tactics had
failed the Democratic majority began ITS des-
peratc effort to sweep away the election laws
Recently, ii is notorious, that majority has not
dared to take any action upon important meas
ures affecting the public business because 1t
might thereby impair Democratic chances OF
| success in the Presidential election. thus, as
respects any practical good to be gained by leg
| islarion, we have had DO-NOthlne Congress
| for four years. i he case was not much better
| during the latter half OF President Grants last
| term. When the Democrats obtained a
majority in the House. they straiGhtway began
10 devote their whole time to preparations for
the contest OF 1876. 1t is at least six years
since Congress has been sufficiently free from
| the pressure and control of partisan anXietlcs
partisan greed. and PARTISAN rancor, to give de-
! cent attention TO public needs.
The country has held the Democratic party
responsible for this neglect. \ host OF mem
bers have been TUNED ont who will see the
halls OF Congress no more. A powerful Demo-
| cratic majority mas been destroyed by public
disgust, tC make room for a Republican majority
! winch viii take charge next year. Odlum for
the conduct of their party still attaches TO some
|
public service. 1t rests with them TO say
whether the popular resentment toward them
| shall increase. or be diminished by an honest
! effort this winter TO do some good, II the
! nublic dstrust of the Democratic party, as to
its capacity fol- attending TO the real needs OF
the country, can he lessened at all, the better
men of that party have one more chance to
! lessen it this winter.
Political anxiehes and political disputes need
not occupy the minds of Democrats this winter.
| They have lost the Presidency, and sny dispute
! about the counting OF votes would only disgrace
them still more. They have lost the majority
| in the House, and cannot afford to quarrel with
! the decision of the people. The next election is
a long way Oft, and nobody can tell what issues
| will then be uppermost, what the Democratic
party will then want to do or whether there
will be any Democratic party. The sensible
course for members is TO devote themselves
to the public business like honest and capable
men. The apDortiOnment is the only political
matter upon which there will be any temptation
| to spend time.
Congress ought to give its full attention to the
| important public business which has been so
sadly neglected Provision ought to be made
without delay for refunding the bonds about to
become redcemable. Many other matters
will Mt once suggest themselves. But
as to these questions, this Congress
may adv antageousy pay more attention than
| it hitherto has paid 10 the recommendations of
the present Administration. There have been
obvious partisan reasons for disIegarding, at
previous sessions, suggestions which, II per
nitted TO result in practical good, might benefit
the Republican party. Now the election is
| over The Administration will soon go out OF
mower. Even partisan luminosity can hardly
| susnect il of desire to close its career with
recommendations not worthy OF approval. 1t
is the popular Judgment that 1T has been, upon
| the whole, a very good Administration, espe-
| cially in It's care of those practical business
| matters which Congress has so much neglected
| Its purity honesty OF purpose, and ability, have
undoubtedly contributed much to the recent
Republican triumph If it is the desire OF
Democratic mepbers Of Congress, before they
| nass from power, to qualify in some measure
tie pnbic feeling that the Democratic party is
| either wholly incompetent or wholly uniaIthlul
il would he wise tn consider that the sugges-
tions of this Administration are not unlikely
to accord with the public will, and at all events
| are certain to be received with respect and at
| tention by the people. IL would be wise fol
| Congress. therefore to take MP these sueges
tions for respectful and serious consideration
and 70 give them reasonable weight This
Congress has not shown so much wisdom thai
| il can afford to deSpise good advice.
| NtTJOVtI MARRIAGE Law.