New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-03-03
mHAr cnNGRESS MLGHr DO.

Congrcss might pass law settling the dis
puted points connected with the powers OF
the two Houses, joint and several, over the
count of the electoral votes. The importance
Of such a law rs safeguard against future
trouble was seen by everybody after the Pres
idental election of 1876. The Electoral
Commission of 1877 Was q makcshiit to tide
over the immediate difficulty. 1t settled moth
ing for tho future. The rock which came so
near making -hipwrcck OF the peace of the
country still remains in the channel. Congress
hl. done nothing 10 remove 1t.
II might try the sense OF the State Legisla-
lures ON @ Constitutional Amendment Drovid-
ing better plan for electiug the President
and YIcc-Pre.jdcnt than the existing clumsy
and perverted system. The machinery OF
electoral colleges 40 longer performs the
functions for which it was devised and has
become practically valuciess We SAW in 1871,
IN the case OF Oregon, how liable it is TO be
employed by cOnscienceless partsans to over
turn the expressed will OF a State The good
sense OF the people demands that it be abo!-
shed.
It might begin the construction Of a modern
Navy adequate TO protecting the interests Of
the United States upon the high seas. We
have no Navy worthy Of the name. a few
family efficient wooden cruisers, few rusty
old monitors, score OF tugs and
mo,ouito boats and lot of rotten
hulls cons iuto orr maritime force. We
might rs wcl 20 to way with polc-axes and
bows and arrows as TO fight iist-cla-s naval
power with such craft IA these.
Il might give some attention to the question
OF building mp or commercial marine, and
thus hold out some prospect, at least, that the
next generation will see the American hag
floating over transatlantic steamer in the
halbor OF New-York.
1t might do something with the perennial
and vcxatiOus Indian question, baslng that
something upon the principle that the Indian
should be made a citizen OF the United States
as speedily as possible. and brought under the
controlling and developing forces of law and
civilization.
II might realize the fact that the progress
Of the Far West is retarded by a system Of
land laws which, while it does toerably well
for the fertile prairie States, Is unfit for the
semi-and grazing and mining regions in the
centre of tbe continent.
If might tell us whether we are to have n
Worlds Fair in New-York at any time within
the next five or six years and If 50, III what
way il is to be managed.
1t might take some action concerning the
Isthmus Canal that would secure the interests of
the United States against being compromised
by a foreign company, and at the same time save
rs from being forced to play the Odious part
of the dog in the manger.
All this and much more Congress might do,
but il will not because it Is controlled by the
Democratic party which has not displayed a
rlimmer Of craftsmanship for the last quarter
of century. The most that can be expected
of it is that it will take up the appropriation
bills after n while, dawdle along with them
until the hot weather makes Washington an
uncomfortable place of residence and then
pass them in a hurry and adjourn For any
useful legislative work the country Will have
10 wait until the Republican Congress which
the people will elect next Fall comes into
power i'll 1881.