New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-12-03
The NEW CONGRESS.

TIE NEW CONGRESS-
Congress has assembled, and for the first
time in fifteen years Republican President
will address Congress distinotively Repub-
lican in both branches Only once during these
fifteen years have the Republicans seated a
majority of the members Of the House. uh'ii
Yesterday. and the House of 18S1-'83 was con-
fronted by Senate equally divided, with tha'
distn suished independent, Senator David Da-
Wis. holding the casting vote as president pro
tenn and Acting Vice-President. Thus 1t IS
that during this long period the new leglslatioh
of Congress has been practically controlled oy
the Democratic party, for even the tariff re-
vision of 1888, though passed in Repuohcah
House as a choice of evils, received Its as
tinctive character as respects features which
have caused most trouble and elected most
criticism from the cooperation OF very Few
Republicans with the Democrats in the senate
but now a clear Republican majority Ill both
houses has been chosen by the people, and IN
large measure because the neglect OF grave
public interests and practical business queS-
lions by the Democrats in the House had be-
come intolerable.
10 ought to be remembered that when the
Republicans secured control of the House IN
1881 there was a similar urgent popular de-
mand for wise practical legislation. The Dem
oerats had then been abusing power in the
House only seven years. but it was enough.
Unfortunately the Republicans of that Con-
gress did not satisfy the public, and it must
be frankly admitted that many Of them were
not equal to their great responsibility. In part
IL ln, nod httt
also largely because in their own actions they
neglected duty Or affronted public sentiment,
they failed to satisfy constituents, and the great
Republican majority in the House was swept
away in the elections of 1882 Now, after SIX
years more of Democratic failure and miscon-
duct, the Republicans are again called to full
responsibility for legislation and this time with
q sufficient working majority in both houses, If
members attend to their duty. 1t will be their
own fault if they again fail to answer the pop
ular demand.
The session which begun yesterday ought to
be most busy and important one 1t will have
to make any final provisions that may be neces-
sary for the census of next year, to decide upon
the application of at least two Territories for
admission as States, and to determine whether
JnSTS SHdll NC oil i@ApOSlOiOil, anu
where it shall be held Yet these are relative
ly small matters. 1t will have to consider the
question of currency, in the light of eleven
years experience Of silver coinage, and with
the bank circulation rapidly vanishing. 1t will
have TO take up the question Of revenue, to
provide in some way for reduction Of the sur
plus, and to decide upon strong appeals for the
removal of certain internal taxes. The tariff
question will probably be taken UP, with view
to removing the defects and Inconsistencies re-
sulting from unwisdOm or divided RESPONSE
bility in 1883, and also for the purpose of adj
justing the system TO the great changes which
have occurred in the worlds industries and
commerce 1t will also be by no means the least
difficult of the duties devolving upon Congress
to consider what steps Gamble taken to secure
free and honest elections at the South.
These are few of the more urgent mat
ters which will demand attention, and there
are others which cannot be safely neg
lected Thus the Interstate Commerce Act has
been declared exceedingly defective by its
friends, and also by its former foes and all now
agree that since it is to stand in some form it
should be amended in important respects. The
overorowdipg of United States courts and the
unreasonable delay Of justice have long made
necessary some reform of the judiciary Rea
tienS with fore gu Powers call for prompt and
careful legislation as to many matters already
known and the international Conference now
in session may net improbably suggest meas
ures of importance The need of a National
Bankrupt law, of reformed Land law
Of better foreign mail facilities will be
pressed upon the attention of Con-
glesS. In short, if it should discharge wisely
all the duties before it the new Congress would
become memorable as one Of the most induStri-
Gus and Woodworking deliberative bodies ever
known.
The selection of Speaker has insured for the
House thorough working organization. Mr.
Reeds long experience has enabled him to
the need of effective and competent
men on the committees and he is not the man
to sacrifice the opportunity and the future of
his party, or his own reputation, in any desire
to please individuals with honors for which
they are not fitted He has some admirable
and experienced material in the older members,
and from the strong force of new members will
probably be able to choose others whose SER
vices will be Of value.