Herald and tribune. [volume] (Jonesborough, Tenn.) 1869-current, 1885-12-10
WORK FOR CONGRESS.
QUESTIONS THAT DEMAND CON-
SHERATON.

SlDEHATlON.
A Prospect that They VIII be Neglected
For Useless Tariff Discussion.
While the Democrats are preparing to
waste the coming session of Congress by
making another assault upon the tariff,
thus prolonging the still depressed condi.
tion Of manufactures and general trade,
1t may be Of interest to mention some of
the other prominent questions that will
press for consideration. Perhaps the
most important is the silver question.
This is likely to take up good deal of
time, IS many members have already an
nouncsd that they are preparing speeches
ON the subject. The Librarian Of Congress
recently said that he had greater demand
for literature bearing on this subject
than upon any other. But the problem
is not likely to be solved. Only 1876
members voted at the close of the last
session for Mr.. Randall's motion to stop
. the coinage Of the silver dollar, though it
was made at the public instigation Of
President Cleveland OF the 159 mem
bers who voted against the motion 102
are members Of the present House, while
Of the 1875 who voted for it only SO are
members of the new House, and % 9th.
ers Of the new members did not vote.
Unless these members have changed
their views on this question, Of which
there has yet been little evidence, there
Is small chance for the suspension of the
silver coinage.
The only tariff bill that would stand
any prospect of running the gauntlet Of
the Senate would be one removing some
Of the antiquities of the present law, and
preventing the Secretary of the Treasury,
by mere ruling, from doing great harm
to American industries. By his ruling
on the admission of broken rice, in the
interest of the brewers, the Secretary has
aroused much feeling among the rice
growers. They will strive to have this
legal ambiguity removed; but the Free
Traders in control Of the House are sure
to insist on revision of the tariff and
nothing less.
No question more important will press
for consideration than that connected
with Postmaster General Vilas's refusal
to carry out the law to maintain and en-
courage the establishment Of American
postal and commercial steamship lines.
The talk about the American flag disap.j
pearing from the high seas has more
force now than ever. The recent report
Of the Commissioner of Navigation shows
that there has been decrease within the
past year Of 1,117 in the entire number of
vessels, large and small, in the American
service. At that rate there will soon be
nothing left upon the water to call an
American merchant marine. 1t is esti-
mated that this country pays more than
$3.50, 900, 900 annually to the foreign ship
owners who carry its ocean freights and
passengers. Some means of keeping at
least a part Of this money at home and Of
giving the merchants of this country &C.
cess to the new foreign markets Congress
ought to consider. This question will
also come up in connection with the re-
port Of the South American Commission.
The Commission found that the only way
in which the merchants of this country
could avail themselves Of the South
American markets was means Of direct
communication with South American
ports
Immense sums are paid for carrying
mails on the plains and by star routes,
but the moment the question Of encour-
aging foreign trade in this way is brought
up the cry Of subsidy is raised in Con-
gress.
A National Bankrupt bill, similar to
the one which passed the Senate at the
last session, but failed in the House, will
be introduced early in the coming ses-
sion. Special efforts will be made by
Chambers of Commerce and other trade
organizations to secure the passage of
such law. Legislation to carry into ef-
feet the commercial treaty with Mexico
will be pressed upon the House. The
regulation of Interstate commerce will
come before the Senate on the report of
its committee which has been investigat-
ing the matter, and the House Is equally
certain to have the subject before it. At
least half dozen members are said to
have prepared bills to prevent the fraud
ulent occupation of public lands. Legis-
lation on this subject, and also concern
ing the Indians and the lands now held
by them, will be pressed by different in
terests. The need of 1t is unquestionable.
The people Of Dakota will again de.
mand admission for their Territory as q
State South Dakota has adopted q Con-
stitution and made all the necessary prep
arations for admission to the Union; but
there is no telling what Congress may do.
Washington Territory and New Mexico
will also ask for admission. but they
have not equal claims with Dakota.
Some means for the relief or re.organiza-
tion Of the Supreme Court will be brought
forward. Interest in the passage of an
electoral count bill does not promise to be
sufficient to secure for 1t much attention;
but one will be introduced, and il Con.
gress does Its duty one will pass. No
one can visit the Congressional Library
without approaching the great necessity
Of providing for 1t new building. The
manner in which. the books are now stor.
cd away and piled up ON the floor is
shameful. The question Of rebuilding
the navy and strengthening the coast de-
fences will be an important one. A COM
mittee Of the House OF Representatives Is
preparing recommendations on the sub
ject Of coast defenoes, Now that the
Democrats will have control Of these ex.
penditures they are more ready for liberal
appropriations. But the Republicans are
not disposed to initiate the tactics OF their
old opponents. The Mississippi River
Commission is prepared to demand other
millions. "in ORDER" as 1t says, "that the
increased depths already secured upon
two reaches of navigation may be utilized
and made Of some practical value" That
seems to be plain admission that six
millions have already been expended to
no practical value" But the Commits.
sion scheme. the Hennepin Canal, the
Galveston Harbor and the many Others
that will combine for help from the
Treasury will without doubt take up
mvch of the time of Congress.