National Republican., 1884-12-01

The congressional mill begins to grind
again to-day, and the next three months
will bring forth a grist that will ill the
public mind and measuresbly bring for.
getfulness of the exciting topics OF the
summer and autumn. Whatever may be
the outcome Of the labors of our national
lawmakers during the short session,
Washington is glad to have them here.
Always ready TO welcome the new stars
to her manifold attractions. she still has
kindly feeling for the old fsvorites, and
cherishes cheerful hope that from one
and all of them she can in return for her
genial welcome extract some fair measure
of amusement, instruction, and likewise
the major portion of their salaries.
The short session will, as usual, be
mainly given up to consideration and
passage of the appropriation bills, but
some other matters of great importance
to the country at large will press for en-
actment into laws The bankruptcy bill
passed by the senate in April, for instance,
is now pending in the house. and the
treatment accorded it by that body will
attract the critical attention of all bus-
ness classes. Some well-digested measure
Of tho kind is u necessity to IA great COM
mercial nation such as our own, and
congress will rightfully receive the
plaudits of the people if 1t succeeds in
devising measure that will combine
terse lucid construction, speedy execu-
tion, low cost, and secure TO creditors as
nearly as may be possible full hundred
per cent of the value of debtors estates
without unduly expressing the latter.
The pressing necessity Of providing for
the defense of our coasts and rebuilding
our navy will challenge renewed consid-
Grafton, and there does not seem to be
| any very good reason why this session
should not reap the credit Of having lib
orally provided for these great national
purposes. Tho republican members are
a unit in favor of erecting modern forti-
| fcations, constructing modern high h-power
artillery, and putting our navy into con-
| dition to hold its own in defending our
maritime cities against the powerful
ironclads of the other naval powers.
Now that the democrats know that men
of their own faith will have control of
expenditures for these purposes it seems
that they can very well afford to aban don
their former unpatriotic stand, and join
the republicans in providing appropria.
tions that will lead to beginning at once
the tedious work of building steelcla
forts and steel-clad ships of war.
The Blair educational bill, too, is
awaiting action by the house. The
touching affection for tho colored man
and brother that pervades the democratic
heart since tho election is no doubt fully
shared in by the democratic members
Hence We may reasonably expect them to
even outdo the republicans in their haste
to pass this great measure for the cduca-
ton of the colored mans children. 1t is
calendar, but where there is will there
is way, even though that way has to be
made through the may difficulties OF
congressional rules, and i, would be
scandalous TO doubt that the warmth OF
this newly-kindled love will illumine
number on the calendar. Let us hope so
The north is willing to pay the BILL moi
forgetting that it will benefit the pool
blacks of the south as we'll as tho pool
whites.
Other matters Of great import there
are, also, that will try the wisdom of on,
Solons, and in the outset of the session i
is well to hope that each will he handled
with sagacity, and broad regard for thu
welfare of tho people as it comes up fo
consideration. If later it becomes mani
fest that this cheerful hope is to be blasted
through unwlse legislation. and tint
wasted in bickering and foolish politica
intrigues, THE NATIONAL REPUBLIcAs
may be expected to do its full share il
rapping the offending legislators over thu
knuckles.