The Carbon advocate. [volume] (Lehighton, Pa.) 1872-1924, 1883-03-17

the public or the press in commenting
n .,on the Forty-seYenth Congress. Its
shortcomings are raked up remorselessly,
while the good that it did is lightly
passed over. There is, however, room
for something oommendaiory to be said
Of the Congress just expired. It's last
days were comparatively free from the
passage of jobs and schemes such as too
frequently Slip through in the rush aud
hurry preceding fiual adjournment. 1t
ia true thousands Of measures were per-
mitted to fall, but the chances are that
there was q great deal moro 10 be con-
demDed than approved in the lot. Some
of the wisest statesmen maintain that too
much legislation is greater evil than
too little, and upon this theory the course
Of Congress in quietly ALLOW ing several
thousand bills to 90 to the waste-basket
is, in fact, a benefit TO the country.
Among the lost bills are many of I'M
doubted merit, such as tue shipping bill
that to provide an intermediate court for
the relief Of the the United States Su-
preme Court, the educational bill, and
others OF like importance. One of the
most serious omissions was the failure to
enact n defuiie law regulating the cunt
of the electoral vote and providing for
the Presidential succession. TIE next
Il
Congress will be divided between the two
parties, the Republicans controlling the
Senate and the Democrats the House /;
hence there is but little prospect that il
will agree upon any law prescribing how
the electoral votes shall he counted, and
thus the country may be exposed to the
danger of another complication and par
tsan controversy over the decision OF the
uext Presidential election.
Amid the babble and tumult of the
closing scenes in the two Houses of Con-
gress thoughtful person might have
been moved with many serious reflec-
tions. Any one given to sentiment could
have found food for melting thoughts in
the contemplation of Senator Ferry's va
cant chair Sunday morning. Two months
ago be was regarded as a very fortunate
man. He was supposed to be q fixture
in the Senate, bis reelection being looked
upon as certainty, and his wealth was
estimated at over million. Two or three
weeks later it became evident he would
have trouble in securing o reelection,
and few days afterwards came the an.
nouncement that his riches had taken
wings. Accumulated misfortunes pros
trated him, and on Sunday, while the
last act of the Forty-seventh Congress
was being played, he was lying on bed
of pain few blocks distant physical
as well as financial wreck. His ab.
sence from the Senate, of which he had
been an honored member for twelve
years, was scarcely noticed. He was moi
missed from his s at by half dozen OF
his old associates. He had not been in
the chamber for weeks, and was well.
nigh forgotten. Sunday evening aftel
the adjournment he left Washington, &C
companied by his sister and one or two
devoted friends, perhaps never to return
to the scene of all his former greatness
How different his worldly aspect from
that proud occasion when at the head o.
his fellow Senators, as the presiding of
iicer of that body and the acting vice
President, be marched into the jsint ses
sion of the two Houses to preside ovei
the proceedings Of the electoral coua
and affix his signature to the record
which made Il. B. Hayes President.
Dom PEDRO