Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-04-08

The leaders and managers OF both the republican
and democratic parties appear to be looking
around Just for issues upon which TO fight the
coming congressional campaign The vexatiOus
questions growing out OF the rebellion are, hap
PLY, well nigh settled, and the country, as
whole, is I'm the enjoyment Of peace and pros
perity. Politics has become minor consideration
with the people, and the party managers are
shrewd enough TO comprehend that 1t will be no
easy task to arouse the masses this year. Quiet
but serious conferences have been held by the
leaders of both part e3 in Congress, OF late, at
which the perplexing subject OF how to shape and
direct the congressional canvass discussed; but
neither party has yet decided upon plan or
battle. There was probably never, in the history
of the country, greater lack of political issues
than exists at present The tariff is regarded as
rather dangerous, by both parties, because OF the
wide difference OF opinion concerning 1t in the
ranks OF each. The looseness OF party ties makes
the political bosses uneasy, for they cannot fore
see what divisions and dissenslOns may arise from
local issues In fact It is not improbable that the
political complexion of the next House may be de-
ternned by questions of state or local interest
tirely. In the absence OF national issues to hold
parties to their lines 1t is natural for minor or
local questions to be pushed to the front. In
North Carolina, for example, the liquor question
promises 10 cause divisions in the Congressional
light, while In Georgia there WILL from present In
dicatiOnS, be a number of independent democratic
candidates. Upon the whole iu looks as II this
might be year OF uncertainty In politics.
It Is understood that Mr.. Neal, chairman or the
District committee, will call up the bill for the
Improvement OF the Potomac fats In the House on
Monday. Every consideration connected with the
interests OF the public demands that this measure
should receive early attention and favorable
action at the hands OF Congress. The plan as
proposed embOdies the best thought OF the ablest
and most reliable engineering talent In the service
OF the government The work Is to be done by
government or under government supervision, and
people. There is no job in il, either for specu-
latOrs contractors for claimants to the land to
be reclaimed or made by the Improvement.
Members OF Congress are moreover as deeply In
terested In the proposed work as the people OF
Washington can be. The leading object in view
Is TO improve the sanitary condition OF the
national capital, the accomplishment of which
desideratum Will bring with 1t, incidentally,
better navigation OF the river, and additional at
fractions In an eSthetc point Of view. When to
these advantages Is added the fact that the land
reclaimed or made by the proposed improvement
will be worth more in the market than the cost OF
making 1t, 1t Is not easy TO see how any one can
honestly oppose the bill But, whatever Congress
proposes TO do should be done at once. 1t would
be little less than criminal to let another season
go by without beginning the much needed work.
Nothing is now 70 be gained and much may be
lost by delay.