Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1880-05-13

n. Y. Tribune-l
What q Change.

WnAt Uhange.
Is this the same Congress? One would
hardly recognize 1t as the ski,,ish and high
spirited body that came prancing in little
more than a year ago. paving the air and
champing the bi, with impa,ience to be at
il high and holy mission Of political rcform
A Democratic House in the preceding Con-
gress, FESTIVE under the limitation, of Re
publican Senate and the restrictions of a
Republican Executive. had paved the way
for It's early coming. and by withholding the
supplies forced the Executive Ia summon 1t
in special session nine months before its
time. 1t was done deliberately. with pur-
pose preconcei,ed and openly proclaimed to
demonstrate their own cspacit, and show up
the unhtness of their opponents. Their I'M
patience could not bide the period Of gcsta-
ton. Nothing would do but they must
spring at once into being and begin their
work. Great things were promised in the
va, of undoing the mischief wrought by
the opposition in eighteen years Of power.
and of setting on foo, the beueScient re-
forms which the people demanded and the
oppressed country waited and longed for
Possession Of one branch Of Congress had
given them only partial power 10 carry out
their plans. All this they had used With
the utmost diligence to probe and inyes,i-
gate the record of their adscrsaries in the
search for rascalities TO he held up for pop
ular denuncia,ion. and they had turned il 10
such poor account tina, the only damage done
Was 10 themselves.
Now they were 20 have full swing; 10 rip
up everything unhindcred; wipe out the
legislation Of eighteen wears Of Radical mis-
rule make laws such as suited them. have
free course. run and be gloriicd Every
body remembers with what Hoop Ia :"
they came bounding in; how they cleared
out the Senate of Republican officials at the
start. swung their club over the head Of the
President. and undertook no; merely 10 wipe
out laws but 10 annul the functions Of the
Executive. 1t was Wild dance the, under
took 10 lead the country. The firm hand of
Presidcn, HAYES and the in,erposition Of the
Executive veto put upon them a gentle con-
sututional restraint. and kept them from
going TO the mi.chicvous lengths which thew
would have reached otherwise: and a, the
end Of a few months exhibition Of them
selves they ,apered of, still threatening mis-.
chief in modified forms. but with tuck g., All.
and a general aspec; OF disapur, ,,,men, To
the cha'tenI1g and--. sliding influence Of
ut ..S.sSes. Jon their iriskine.s were added
litle later the suggestive lessons Of the Fall
elections. and something more than hint
of popular di>appro,al Of the pranks ;hcy
had been PLAYING. let Us do them the jus
iice 10 say that nj least they arr no; en-.
tirel, blind and deaf 10 these They met
again in December for the regular session
having heard the volume Of a nations hiss.
aud since then they seem 4 different set Of
mcil This has been velvet footed. pussy
cat session. One hardly recognize. this lot
of searcd-ooking statesmen going ahou,
softly with fingers on their lips. saving
Ssh h ." a. the Congress. tina; bounced in
wear ago in such precipItaic haste "a cA-
ploi; itself and get in its work at reforming
everything.
1t is the same Congress. bu; ali. how
changed how chas,ened and .ubdued
Then it had large programme and bril-
liant future. II had things to do and things
10 undo and it vent al them with confident
ga,ety and 4 large loose chin. /, has ac-
oomplishcd nothing that Il set on, for. ha.
accumulated nothing but experience. and 1t
is doubtful II il reaps any benefit from that
4 wear ago !, was houiiug "Fraud :" and
ehurning -,a,esmanship of the mos, startling
character by the column. Now its chief en-
dcayor u To hold It's tongue, While H. only
apparent mission j. 10 steal seats. This j. a
Congress that, coming in like fighting
cock, bids fair TO waddlc out like a dl,.
Outraged hen from asettlrful Of ho, soup.