Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1882-12-12
Haat5ied COngressDsen.

The contrast between the frame of mind
In which the Republican members re
joiced when congress adjourned and that
in which they met yesterday would be un-
qualifedly amusing if the situation were
only little less serious. Last summer
they were Independent and even arrogant.
They had worked themselves up into the
belief that public opinion WIS about what
they chose to make it, and that the matter
of their reflections was little more than
an empty form of submission to the peo-
pie, which it was bore to 60 through
with, but was necessary evil. The splen-
dor of the national income dazzled their
eyes, and they patted themselves on the
back at the rapid rate at which the public
debt was being reduced. There was so
much money lying around that they felt
rich. and could not resist the temptation
of dividing some of it up among their i'm
mediate friends. They were warned con-
stantly that they had better give attention
to the public business which most called
for it. but, looking upon those popular
promptings as impudent interferences
with their prerogative, they went on in
their mad and iordly career as if the run
ming Of things in this country was Pecu-
liarly and exclusively their province and
likely to continue so indefinitely.
They scoffed ct the idea of economy, and
the resentment and haste with which they
passed the river and harbor bill over the
presidents veto was almost a startling IL
lustration of the distance to which circum-
stances had carried them from any apprs-
citation of the real popular sentiment
Their action on the veto was intended as a
pointed rebuke to the president for what
they considered evidently as an insolent
encroacbment On their rights. They were
riding remarkably tall horses at that time
and adjourned IN nigh state Of indignant
wrath at the presidential presumption.
But how are the mighty fallen! Never
did an humber set of men convene than
will meet in the national hall of repressn-
tatives to-day. Is it possible that these
are the same individuals who went out in
such turkey-cock style few months
ago? The heavy shower they have passed
through since then has taken all the starch
out of them. The mighty palm Of the
people has been laid on the congressional
shoulder, and it has qaivered and shrunk
under its weight. Not even the pride
which strives to keep up appearances sur
wives.
There is not Republican member now
who would touch a new river and harbor
bill with forty foot pole. The mention
of that measure makes the humbled con-
gresham turn pale. His respect for tho
people is as pronounced as his contempt
for them was unconcealed before adjourn
ment. He has made an astounding dis
oovery, and it has done him good. The
danger is now that in his obsequiousness he
will run to the other extreme and overdo
things. We are assured that appropria-
tions are to be cut down to the lowest
notch. The forces in the departments are
to be diminished. Instead Of manufactur-
ing places to be filled by friends, the con-
gressional effort will be to discover where
the supsrnumeraries exist and to dismiss
them. The plan of making such reduc-
ton that the Democrats will be left with
nothing to do in the way of retrenchment
at the next term is urged with almost tear
full eagerness. There is a chance that the
public buildings in process of erection will
come to a standstill for want of funds and
it is not improbable that the Mississippi
river improvement will suffer from the
great and indiscriminate reaction. Secre-
tary Chandleriwill have to give up what
ever hopes he may have had of materially
improving the navy, and the land grant
railroads may we'll tremble for the lands
whose forfeiture 10 in question. It will
fortunately be a remarkably bad winter
for Jobs.