Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-08-09

Yesterday the Forty-seventh Congress
brought its first session to close, and
the people of the country will be hap
PLY relieved of any further Affections al
its hands until December next, when il
will again be able to work mischief for
short season, until the 4th Of March
following. The reputation it has made
for itself may be very tersely stated. Il
which has ever assembled in the Federal
capital. It came into power
finding a surplus of $3.50, 0OO,O 900
in the Treasury-representing just
that much of an unnecessary burden Of
taxation upon the people. 1t would
naturally be imagined that the Congress
of the United States would. when con-
fronted with such condition of affairs,
have periodically addressed itself to the
task of relieving the people, and legis-
lating for reform, which was so plainly
needed. But this Congress did nothing
Of the sort. To the contrary its first actwas
to purchase a President for its Senate
by piece of political trickerY, and to
eject VIGOROUSLY incompetent mana
creature Of one of the most noted trick
sters the country has produced in a cen
turY-as Speaker of the House. Then,
having organized in this manner, the ev-
cry effort of the party in control has been
directed to strengthening itself first by
stealing seats from legally elected South
ern members for the purpose of placing
therein Republican aliens and scala
wags, repudiSted at the polls,
and next to raiding the Treasury
to the utmost possible extent. Feeble
pretensions have been made at reduc-
ton of taxation, but they have fallen
still born. Not one single act. of credit to
the party in power or to the country
has been passed, and legislation has
been controlled solely by Office holders,
powerful and wealthy syndicstes of lob
byists, and desire to divide the spoils
among political friends and personal ia
vorites. ''Let us rake the Treasury" has
been the motto of the majority, and
while fear has prevented the open ex-
preston of such sentiment, deeds have
clearly shown the animus of those who
dictated Federal legislation.
This is a brief and truthful statement
Of the disgraceful record of the Forty
seventh Congress. 1t affords a fitting
and timely opportunity, now just on the
eve Of Congressional campaign, to call
d mind afresh the history of the legisla-
6on of the two great parties of the coun-
try since the war, contrast which will
be both instructive and interesting.
The history of onr legislation from the
close of the civil conflict to 1874-during
which time the Republican party en-
ioyed uninterrupted power-is too well
known to need detailed repetition See
tional animosity, disregard for the Con-
stitutiOn, thlevlng rings and cliques,
corruption in all shapes and forms per-
meating every department of the govern
ment, and reckless extravaganza culmi-
mating in the panic of 70 with its at
tendant suffering and distress, were the
prevailing characteristics of that dark
period of our history. Thoroughly
disguised and wearied out with this
long story of crime and decentralization,
which, during Grants second admins
station, had become so UNANIMOUSLY note
rious as Scs-make the title american
either" an offense and Stigma throughout
the civilized world. the people in 1874
rose in their might and hurled from
power, as far as they were able, the party
which had brought so much disgrace
upon the land. A Democratic President
and a Democratic House of Representa-
tives were chosen, and though the former
was deprived of his seat by a shameless
Radical intrigue, the latter duly assumed
direction of legislation in the popular
branch of Congress.
Immediately there began a change for
the better, for the Democratic House with
out delay set itself with will to correct
abuses and inaugurate a system of re-
trenchment and reform in the manage
ment of public affairs Asa result, the pub
lie expenditures we're at once cut down
about $50, 900, 900 per annum, and would
have been still further reduced but for
the obstacles of a Republican Senate and
Republican President. Confidence
was restored; the effects of the
panic speedily began to wear off,
and the country once more started
on a career of happiness and prosperity.
The succeeding Congress (the 46th,
which was inaugurated March 4th, 1879
was Democratic in both branches, and
the same system of economy, retrench-
ment and reform was steadily pursued.
The country continued to grow in pros
perity and wealth, and the panic of 1873
was now we'll nigh forgottn.
Unmindful of these facts, and forget
ting the past sufferings inflicted upon
the country by Radical mal-legislation,
the people, partly influenced by sectional
hate, partly by Radical misrepresenta-
lions concerning the protective system,
and partly through the immense corrup
ton funds furnished by assessments on
the army of ofieeholders, again restored
the Radical party to power in both
branches OF the Federal Legislature The
consequence we now see. Taxation still
introduced notwithstanding an overflow
ing Treasury; the tariff question commit
ted to a packed commission; the country
unrelieved in any particular; labor
troubles prevalent throughout the North
aud West, and no legislation for the
people, but all directed for the benefit of
the few, and to secure the return of Re
publican Representatives to the Forty
eighth Congress.
This is the contrast between Demo.
cratic and Republican legislation
which citizens of the United States
are called on to reflect upon now on
the verge of a general campaign. If,
with the record made by the Re