New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-03-05
THE XLvIITH CONGRESS.
A REVIEW OF WHAT IT ACCOMPLISHED.
THE PREDICTION OF ITS SPEAKER THAT 1T WOULD
BE BUSINESS CONGRESS PULFIILED-IMPoR-
TANT MEASURES PASSED DESPITE DEMOCRATIC
OPPOSITION

| BE BUSINESS CONGRESS FULFIILED-IMP0R-
TANT MEASURES PASSED DESPITE DEMOCRATIC
OPPOSITION.
fBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIpUSEl
WASHINGTON, March 4-The XLyIIth Congress
mas passed into history and must be judged accord
ing to its works. In his valedictory remarks to-
day Speaker Keifer recalled prediction made by
him when he assumed the Office. that the XLvIIth
Congress would be pre-emInently business Con-
gress" Compared with its three immediate prede-
cessors the Congress which dissolved at noon to-day
fully deserves the title given TO it by the late
Speaker. Among the wel-remembered laws passed
at the frst session were the Apportonment act, the
act to limit and regulate Chinese immigration, the
Anti-Polygamy law, the act to extend the char
ters OF National banks, the acts to protect
steerage passengers and prevent the importation
OF paupers and criminals. the act to promote
the efficiency of the Life Saving Service the Tariff
Commission act, the act to distribute the balance
OF the Geneva Award and the joint resolution pro-
viding for an investigation Of the condition and
wants of American shpbuilding and ship owning
interests.
THE SECOND SESSION BUSY ONE.
The second session, which comprised only seventy.
eight working days, was an extremely busy one,
and many important measures were enacted into
law. The report of the Tariff Commission was SUBJ
ulttcu 10 congress on inc urSb Qay OF tne session
and was promptly made the basis for committee
action IN both Houses and bills to revise the tariff
were brought forward after the short holiday
recess. How the Republicans, in a Senate evenly
divided politically and in House where their ma
jority was only ten, strove against every obstacle
which Democratic ingenuity could interpose to push
this legislation to conclusion, is fresh in
the public mind. The Democrats allowed no oppor-
tuuity TO slip to prevent, far in them lay, any
response by Congress to the demand for reduction
of revenues and taxation in any respect whatever.
Their efforts were completely foiled, and no defeat
which they have sustained in Congress for twenty
years has been felt by them so keenly. By the
act approved yesterday internal taxation ard tariff
duties have been reduced to the extent Of
100000 to $75, ,00O, 900 year.
The XLVlIth Congress also gave hearty and
sincere response to the demand for legislation look
ing to reform in the Civil Service. and adopted
which expressed the views and received the
general approval of thefends of reform throughout
the country. Either one Of the two acts mentioned
is more than an offset in the way of general public
Legislation to all that was done in the six years
when the Democrats controlled one branch and, for
a part of the time, both branches Of the National
Legislature.
AN ACT OF TARDY JUSTICE.
For years the refusal of Congress TO provide for
the return to Japan of an unjust fine exacted from
that nation has been matter of just National
reproach. At the session which has just ended this
act of long delayed justice was performed. bill
to prevent the importation and sale of aduiterated
tea has been enacted into law, thus initiating
much-needed policy for the exclusion of foreign
articles Of food which have been adulterated. The
postage on letters has been reduced from cents to
cents a reduction of one species oftaxaronb by one
I'd fha of xuhi will ha tlv falf
and appreciated by all the people of the United
States. The salaries of postmasters have been
rcadjusted by law to correspond with the change in
the ratio of letter postage. law has been placed
on the statute book allowing Canadian farmers to
have their gram ground at mills in the United
States without paying duty thereon. This is an act
which will directly benefit American mill-owners
One of the provisions of the new Tariff act will
benefit American hip-bulders 1t permits them to
import, free of duty, wire cordage to be used in the
building and repair of vessels employed in the for.
eign trade. Several important amendments to the
general pension laws have been enacted. The laws
the construction of bridges over naviga-
BILE streams mas been amended, and the building Of
several new bridges authorized
Bv provisions embodied in tho various appropria-
tion laws highly important legislation affecting the
Indian service. the public lands and the Army and
Navy was enacted: and many necessary reforms
were instituted in the administrative economy Of
the Government. Other reforms were prevented by
the refusal of the Senate to allow them TO be
grated upon appropriation bills A law was also
enacted % relieve Congress and the executive de-
partments to some extent, of the burdens imposed
by the enormous and ever-increasng mass of pri-
vate claims against the Government. The new law
provides that either House of Congress. or any
thereof, may refer any private claim
10 the Court of Claims for find
ng and report as to the facts.
Any department may refer any such cl!im pending
before it to the same tribunal for finding an re-
port both as to the law and the facts. The joint
resolution to terminate the fishery clauses Of the
reaty with Great Britain was also enacted.
SOME IMPORTANT MEASURES DEFEATED.
Some very important independent measures wers
ost. One of these was the Shipping bil which
passed the House after thorough discussion, and
vas subsequently passed by the Senate with several
lmendments. The bill returned 10 the House
lbout o'clock this morning. and motion made to
oncur in the amendments. The Democrats imme-
lately began to ibuster against it. and only seven
f them could be induced to vote, after Mr. Randall
nd other leaders on that side had urged them not
o do So The only New-York Democrat who
vould vote was 9. 5. Cox, who member
4 the Joint special committee which framed tho
ill. 1t was lost because the Democrats refused to
ontrlbute the few votes necessary to complete tho
uorum.
Another important bill which failed owing to
opposition was the one 20 establish an
Intermediate Court OF Appeals, a tribunal desig-
ated TO relieve the Overbnrdened docket Of tho
upreme Court Of the United States. The House
ommiitre on the Judiciary perfected q bill forH
atonai bankruptcy act, but it did not get before
he House The Ways and Means Committee re-
Dried bill to impose tax on the manufacture
nd sale Of oleomargarlne but it died near the head
the calendar. The Presidential Succession bill,
hich passed the Senate, failed to receiya
,tIon in the House. The bill which passed the
ouse 70 extend the time for filing claims
yainst the Geneva Award was lost in the Senate.
he same fate befel the bill TO enlarge the scoped
Id powers of the Department of Agriculture the bill
establish bureau of animal industry and tho
iver aud Harbor bill. The Bonded Spirits bill,
hich passed the House at the first session. was re-
Irned by the Senate with amendments and died on
e Speakers table The House bill to regulate tho
al af Late 10 Eelieral caurfa Xal