Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-08-12
WlImington, Thursdar, Aug, Il, l886

That the Congress which has just adj
iournod has transacted some very inn
portani Legislation will be apparent ON
the merest glance over tho summary of
acts Of the session which we give elso-
whore. Taking up the first item-the
Presidential succession bill born of the
EFFICIENCY caused by the death Of Vice
President Hendrieks-the wisdom and
vital moment Of that measure will hardly
be gainsaid by any one. The uncertainty
Of human life may bring about a contin-
geney in which, but for this action, the
government oould hardly have been car
ried ON without special session of Con-
gress 10 deal with this matter alone. II
IN highly oreditable to the patriotism of
the Republican leaders in Congress that
they generally Co operated with the DEM
ocrats in tho enactment of this measure
at time when its operation, should the
emergency arise to call il into effect,
would inure to the benefit of the latter
party. OF course, there is nothingin human
foresight TO warrant any prediction as to
which party might become the beneficiary
of such legislation under the next admin
istration. It is TO be regretted--and here
is q sin of omission on the part of the late
Congress-thRt this bill wns not supple
mented by some improvement in the mode
of eleeting the President and vice-presi-
dent, by which such crises as that of 1876
and tho only by a narrow margin averted
one of 1884 might have been rendered
almost impossible hereafter. An amend.
ment making presidential electors elective
by congressional districts instead of states
would accomplish this and would seem
to have much to recommend it.
The act for the increase of the navy is
good one as far as it goes, and it prob
ably goes far enough for tentative
measure such rs, in view of tho long cata
logue of false steps that have been mad,
of late years in this direction, any suet
legislation must be at the present time
It is better to go slowly and safely thar
10 rush ahead with great deal OF wori
which improvements in armor or gunner
may render valueless us soon as com
pleted, as the American people may b,
trusted, should they be suddenly callcC
ON TO guard their coasts and seaoorts, 4
show the world that they are equal to tn
emergency.
OF some local interest is provision
which has been incorporated into til
Agricultural Appropriation bill, directin
the commissioner of agriculture to pm
chase and destroy diseased animals whet
ever, in his Judgment, it is essential
prevent the spread of pleuro .pneumon
from one state into another The pr
priety of the national government takii
this step for the protection of the gre
cattle interests OF our extensive donna
from the possibility of such disaster
ruined like interests in South Africa ~
jeopardized their existence in Austral
and The inability of state goyernmen
each acting ON its own hook, to heal e
GENTLY with q danger which has in itsu
elements Of widespread destruction, ha
been sufficiently exemplifed.
II is unfortunate that the House bill
prevent aliens from acquiring or owni
land in any of the territories failed
become law. This bill was sent ba
TO the public lands committee of t
House to consider Senate amendmen
and remains there, Il should be kept
view as very important piece Of uni
5h52 hrs', aes. - 't '.eT73a' promo
at lie a!l session. With over q, JWps
acres of our national domain already
the grasp of nonresident aliens We hG
already gone entirely too far on the re
to the system of absentee landlord
which has proved such curse to Iraln
and has become one of the most pot
factors in the making and unmaking
administrations in Great Britain.