National Republican., 1886-12-04
Congress and Its Work,

The last session OF the forty-ninth Con.
gress will begin on Monday next, the 9th
instant, and close on the 4th of March. This
allows less than ninety days, including the
holiday recess and Sundays. There is
vast amount Of work that ought to be per.
formed, but most Of 1t must inevitably fail
to receive attention. Unparalleled waste
Of time during tie last session is the obvious
9 RgfiSRt Spase. seSse 9f this disagroea6le aud
first Congress that has wasted time and ne.
elected duties, nor is 1t likely to be the last
that will call for such censure.
The chief impediment to legislation by
Congress is the unwieldly character Of the
House Of Representatives. A body com.
posed of 1888 members-325 representatives
and territorial delegates-is confessedly
too large for the prompt transaction Of bus
iness. And when each of these 1893 legisla-
tors feels that 1t is his imperative duty to
deliver a set speech on each and every ques-
tion of general interest," the situation be-
comes absolutely distressing. There is no
available remedy for these evils at present
except the encouragement among members
of a spirit Of quiet industry and determl-
nation to suppress loDg.winded orators.
1t is said there will be no time during this
session to do anything beyond the passage
Of the regular appropriation bills, but there
is other work that can and ought to be
done. The electoral count bill should re-
ceive immediate attention. 1t will be
blundcr scarcely less than criminal not TO
provide for count Of the vote for Presi-
dent and Vice President. Our defenseless
coast and our navy demand consideration.
The bankruptcy bill will be pressed and
ought TO be pressed, for its provisions are
urgently needed, The Blair educational
bill or its equivalent should become law,
but the chances Of such consummation
are the reverse of hopeful. These are few
only Of long catalogue Of important
measures, all Of which have been put off
too long.
We do not suppose there will be any tariff
legislation this winter. The Democratic
party hasno definite policy on this or any
other question. Its pronounced incapacity
to govern the country is shown in nothing
more conspicuousy than in the utter de.
moralization on all economic issues. But
the inability Of the Democracy TO agree
upon any measure affecting the revenues
does not furnish good reason why Che Re-
publicans should not be ready to do some
thing more than vote against Mr.. Morri-
sons bills. The Boston JOWndL very per-
tinently remarks that
The government is now collecting from sjO,-
OCO,OC0 to SlO0 100000 more revenue than it
needs. The Republican party in Congress
though in minority in the branch which
| originates revenue hills, should have Il we'll
defined plan for the reduction of the revenues
| To refuse TO present such plan at the present
| time VIII be regarded as confession of ina
bii or lack ofunlty.
The NATIONAL REPUBLICAN has ga well
| defined plan for the reduction OF the reve-
nuen TO the extent Of about eighty millions
| Of dollars. II touches both the tariff and
the excise laws. We propose to wipe out
about llfty-three millions Of dollars by re-
pealing all imposts on sugar--an article OF
universal consumption and limited produc-
ton. This is our tariff bill. To make up
the balance OF the seventy millions of dol
lars, or thereabouts, We would repeal the
| internal taxes on tobacco.
We are confident that this plan will grow
IN favor, II will hear discussion, and gain
votes from thorough study of its adapta-
billty to the situation.