The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1880-11-18
The Next Session of Congress.

The Democratic members of Congress
will return to the Capital on the first Mon
day of December, sadder, if not wiser, men.
The people have just voted want of conf
dence in them, and decreed that such of
their number as are permitted to take part
in the legislation of the next two years at all
shall not enjoy controlling influence in its
direction. Only three months of power re-
main to them, and then they are remanded
to tue minority Their conduct during this
period will make apparent what has been
the effect on them of the lesson of the No
vember election. The genuine Bourbon
Democrat never learns anything and never
forgets anything. Each succeeding defeat,
instead of Christening his spirit, embittcrs it.
1t is useless to expect, therefore that such
of the members of the majority as are of
this type will return to the capital with the
faintest intention of mending their,ways.
They will continue to butt their heads
against the will of the people in spite of the
knowledge that nothing can come of the
performance but more injury to that al
ready badly bruised and battered organ. But
there is a considerable number of men
among the majority who have shown some
signs of progress and manifested in the past
some willingness to heed the lessons the
people have taught them. 1t remains with
these men to determine whether the remain
ing three months of Democratic supremacy
shall be spent in perfecting needed legisla-
tion or is an Intellectual struggle to do or
undo what the people have determined shall
not be done or undone.
number of important matters are likely
to arise at the coming session which will
thoroughly test these men and demonstrate
whether the good opinion the public has
been disposed to form regarding them is
warranted. Chief among them at oue time
seemed to be the counti' & of the electoral
votes. 1t is now certain that will give no
trouble. The suggestion of tampering with
the vote of New York has provoked such
wide and vigorous denuncation that the
courage has entirely oozed oat of the would
be revolutioDists. Gen. Garfield will be
declared the constitutionally elected
Chief Magistrate. Undoubtedly the
Bourbons will attempt to bring on
another quarrel over the election laws
in order to embrace the opportunity which
discussion of these laws will afford of
shriekiug fraud. But vigorous yelling of
this monosyllable will be the end of it. The
new apportionment is likely to provoke the
most serious controversy. Unless the Dem
ocrats approach it in spirit of fairness or
let it alone entirely the whole session may
be frittered away in angry and profitless dis
cussion over this subject. With the incom-
ing House certain to contain Republican
majority the Republican minority in the
present House will resist any attempt on
the part of the majority to gain an unfair
advantage by the apportionment of Repre-
sentatives. 1t will therefore be better for
the country, aud full as we'll for the Demo-
cratic party, to let the matter entirely alone.
1t will give rise to long debate in any event.
and will be likely to postpone the appropria-
ton bills to the late hours, when they will
be rushed through with scanty considera-
ton, and consequently good deal of the
P"oAAS AAAOhSJ WootCus OOilc leSlS-
lation may be necessary, and this will need
careful consideration.
Now that there is no advantage to be gained
by packing the House the contested cleo
ton cases ought to be disposed of speedily
and on their merits.
What the country demands of the next
session of Congress is strict attention to
needed legislation. 1t wants no political de-
bates and no attempts to make mere party
capital. Three months is none too much
time tospend on the legislation which is abso-
lutely necessary. The Republicans will use
their best endeavors to satisfy the demand
OF the country in this direction. 1t remains
to be seen whether there are enough patri-
otic Democrats to make their efforts sue
cessful.