The Wilmingtonian., 1886-04-03
One Reason Why!


An evening cotemporay quotes an impor-
tant article from the Boston Herald upon the
subject of ''the decadcnce of Congress"
The assertion is that several prominent
congressman have signiled their intention
of relinquishing politics, as they are, ostensi-
bly,, disheartened at the frutlessness of their
attempts to give effect to the principles of
their party. 1t is claimed it is no use going
into the House-nothng can be be dome
nothing comes of legislation the House will
not act, and the majority will not rule. 1t
is not worth while TO take time working up
public business and then have it continually
frustrated by few men.
Now it is question whether this is a
Just complaint. AS regards private bills,
which form the great mass of matter clog
gng the passage of legislation, it is not i'm :
proper that its purposes are repu|sed aud
snubbed over and over again. Do these
men who complain of weariness of the peo-
lie service suppose that the people of this
country viii readily credit the assertion that
matters of genuine national Importance are
surred and not given proper attention to in
Congress The close debates upon such
matters, those of public interest, recently
brought up and as reported in the Congress
sional Record would suggest that most care
full consideration and attention has been
given them by the House. Take for instance
the Silver discussion, the Blair Educationa
bill, the last Naval committee report with
its concusrent discussion, and lastly the big
debate upon the executive prcrogative o
Withholding papers.
The complaint is that three months aud q
half of legislative session have passed ant
nothing has been accomplished.
What was there to accomplish in the las
of these questions? The Edmund S resolution
cannot change the constitution, But thel
is the discussion waste of time forall that
Surely not the general concensus of opinion
in either Houses upon Il question Of that ma
ture goes upon record as guidance in TIL
future, as the categorical opinion Of Wei
ster and Clay and Benton when stated i
Congress years gone by is at the presen
time quoted in illustration, vindication q
confirmation of any desired piece of legisli
ton under question now AS difterer
minds of great legal acumen declare in ope
session their acceptation of certain phase
and clauses found in the Constitution, sue
declarations go upon record for the cnlisht
eminent of future generations.
Then again the serious fact exists thf
many OF our Senators are the avowed or Sc
cret agents in Congress of reatcorporatur
railways, land companies Sc. How ca
these men be independent when they are tt
salelied servants Of such corporations as Il
Pennsylvania Road How can these me
how dare they openly vote against the inte
ests of the competitions who retain them
How eau popular measures reach the desir,
goal when secretly obStructed by the sen
tors themselves. How can popular measur
be passed, or is it a matter of much regret
the public that few men are found who co
tinually nbstruct the passage of private bill
whose object is the aggradinzsment of fe
individuals at the expense Of the genel
public.
The best way to purge Congress Of its
utility is for the legislators to look arou
among themselves and purify their own ga
meuts. If they are perfectly free and inc
pendent if "they owe no man auythiu
their words, as they get up to speak "
gain attention and always bear frnit in leg
latiUn.
A weighty but latent reaS IN for pauciiy
results iu ngressioual legislation is the Il
vel development in politics of the lal
question, changing, and modifying party In
at the present moment. 1t appears u
there are strong grounds for the supplsiti
that the introduction of this new and ov,
wheImingly strong element will constitute
AMI by the Washington "Parnell' bef
which both parties, Republican and Der
crat, will how the willing knee