The Colfax chronicle. [volume] (Colfax, Grant Parish, La.) 1877-1981, 1883-04-28

out poor enough in its record of good
work accomplished. IL may have been
well equipped with good intentions at
the outset. but however worthy its pur-
poses or high its aims. its achievements
cannot, as . WHOLE be honestly COM
mended. lis example should be studied
by its immediate successor as showing
what to avoid, and not as guide to be
trusted or followed.
The first session. which was needless
ly protracted ty intentional delay in the
preparation and presentation of some
of the regular appropriation bills, in or
der that they might be loaded with
gotten through, will be remembered
chiefly as having produced the anti
Chinese bill, the anti-Polygamy bill and
the Tariff Commission-the last named
being device for putting OF present
and most imperative duty. The Appor-
tionment bill, increasing the number of
members to S25. and removing the seat
of empire farther than before from the
Eastern States, the Geneva Award bill,
providing for the distribution of the
ba ance Of the money paid by England
for the destruction of our commerce,
the compulsory retirement Of army off,
GERS at sixty four years of age, and the
extension of National Bank charters
were also fruits of that session. OF these
the anti-Polygamy bill, from which
much was expected. has proved fail
ure. and the wisdom of other measures
has not yet been entirely demonstrated.
Congress was expected to 60 at work,
at once. as soon rs it had effected an or
ganization, ON careful revision of the
Revenue laws. It declined to do this.
preferring the flimey device of . Tariff
Commission. But the majority. feeling
that something must be done in the way
of tax-reduction. brought forward the
Little Internal Revenue bill that pro-
posed to cut of q few millions. mostly
from luxuries. The defeat of this hum
bug by the Democrats in the Senate was
the best work performed during that
eight months session. The country
gave the Democrats hearty endorse
ment for compelling the ReFubli ans to
lay that bill aside.
As to the River and Harbor bill OF
last year. of which 50 mu b has been
said, and against which SO much of de-
nunciation and ridicule and SO little in
the way of fair argument has been adj
vanced, we hive only to say that as
Congress would not cut down the taxes.
but insisted on collecting about $780,
DOC. 600 of surplus revenue, it was better
for the country to have large appro-
priations for public work. There should
have been q prompt reduction of taxes
and close calculations in expenditures;
but when Congress decline to tighten
taxation there was no occ sion for
cheese-paring in relation to National
improvements Congress erred unpar-
donably in not reducing the revenues,
but was not culpable in applying few
OF many surplus millions TO rivers and
harbors-
The gross partisanship which die
tated the unseating OF Democrats in
order to give their opponents good
working majority, has been almost uni
versaily condemned Law was tram
pled unaer loot. precedents were disre.
garded. oecency was outraged and
honesty was shamed BY such exercise
OF power as can never De defended;
Dy sucn examples as. for the honor OF
the country, we hope no future Congress
Will ioIiow:
The verdict OF the people in tho fall
eiections was q most emphatic con-
domination OF the Republican majority
IN congress as wen as the general
Poiicy OF the party and its repulsive
metnoos OF conducting politicai cam
Ragns; Wnen congress reconvened IN
december, 1852. the majority seemed to
nave read Inc lesson OF the elections and
mere was ior lew weeks. strong
nope that II would make an honest adj
lustment OF tarln ana internal revenue
LAKES ana 10 the otner WORK that the
people demanded. Under the influence
o. tnis improved ieeilng Mr. rendicton's
Clvh service Dill was passed. being
voted Ior py otaiwarts VINO condemned
u snen ana VINO nave nothing but con-
tempt LOT y nov.
Notnlng mas peen oone towards the
restoration OF our ocean carrying trade.