New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1880-12-22
POPULAR ESTIMATE or DEMOCRATIF
CONGRESS.

CONGRESS.
Senator Whyte has made remarkable DIS
coyery He Observed in debate on Monday
that " the country was never seriously injured
bv an adjournment, and it was folly to Try 10
@hold Congress in session during the hOllday
" season" 1t is a reel discovery Tor member
of either House of Congress, and especially
member of the majority to find out what the
rest of the world has known for some time,
that the country was never seriously injured
.bv an adjournment" If Senators would
carefully ascertain the opinion or intelligent
and practical constituents, they would probably
find a singular unanmity in the idea that
session of Congress is a public nuisance, and
an adjournment of Congress public blessing.
Yet. when we think of it, what a melancholy
picture of the workings OF self-goVernment Is
given by the fact that the people who elect
members of Congress rejoice heartily when
those members cease to have power to make
mischief!
The Young Democrat" who wishes that his
nar1y could be so reconstructed as 10 command
public confidence, may well give this matter
serious consi leration. So long as the people
b come apprehensive whenever Congress
meets, and feel rehet whenever it adjourns, 1t
is certain that the majority in Congress does
not truly represent the public will. So long az
members of that majority confess to each other
that the public interests will be served quite as
well, if they are at home enjoying holiday, as
if they were at Washington, labOring day and
n; oht in the performance of their duties, it is
evident that they are conscious OF their failure
in representing the people who sent them to
blame the
other for the SHORTCOMINGS OF the body. But
the majority has power, and is responsible tor
action or failure to act. 1t is responsible if it
wastes time in attempting things which, in the
existing state of parties and public opinion
cannot be accomplished. 1t is responsible If IL
does not attempt to do thing that can be and
ought to be done, because 1t fears loss OF
votes at the next election.
Sensible Democrats are fully aware that
their party has lamentably failed to serve the
public interests since it gained power to shape
legislation. They feel this fact keenly, as they
show in the many excuses which they make
for it. Public opinion, ALSO has listened TO and
accented many excuses 1t realizes that party
| striving TO obtain complete control OF the Gov
eminent is greatly restrained by anxiety as to
the effect of airy action or nOn-actlOn upon APP
preaching elections. But public opinion has
come to the conclusion that it has been fOrtu-
maize foI the country that the Democratic party
was held in restraint. The things which it
| tried to do were mainly bad things. The things
which 1t has persistenty neglected and LETT
undone were mainly things of importance to
the practical interests of the country. Hence,
| public OPINION has deprived the party OF power.
| 1t no longer has any excuse for neglectlng
| pablo interests. Aud yet, so profound is the
conviction of Democrats that they are incapable
of doing any good, that they resolve to adjourn
| over from to- day to January 5. with public pro-
| clamati0n that the country cannot be seriously
| injured by an adjournment.
| That is true, and 1t is q shame to the majority
| in Congress that it is. Members have no right
whatever to be at Washington, except as the
representatives of the sovereign people, who
| sent them there to attend to public business
That public business presses most urgently
millions may be lost by the delay Of two weeks
But Congress has shown itself SO incapable, SC
unready, so engrossed with partisan schemes
and so indifferent to the gravest public interesta