Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-03-05
tentedly over the nation as if no rebellion
had ever occurred, will have absolutely
nothing to mar il.
THE ApJoUnNMENr OF CONGRESS.

THE ADJOURNMENT OF CONGRESS.
The departed Congress can contemplate
with more profound satisfaction the things
it left undone than those which 1t accom-
plished. 1t has reason to feel better on the
whole that the force bill was not passed.
The presentation and discussion of that
measure may possibly do some good in i'm
pressing upon the South that it cannot long
tolerate frauds or intimidation toward the
colored vote without evoking public censure
and disposition to resort to very drastic
remedies. At the same time the force bill
contained provisions which would be much
more likely to be used ior party than for
public benefit. The expressions in Congress
and outside showed that even the opinion of
the party in whose name it was offered was
seriously divided upon it.
In throwing overheard the free coinage
bill, Congress escaped from legislation which
would have caused the most serious en-
barrassment and changes in the business and
finances of the country. The silver men had
clear sailing until the public came to learn
the scope and probable results of the pro-
posed measure. The idea of making the
United States a market at twenty cent
premium for all the silver of the world, and
of deranging the whole range of values OF
commodities was quickly nipped By the frost
of public opinion.
Again, the scheme to get the country into
guarantee of 500. 900, 900 OF bonds for the
Nicaragua Canal, at a time when an appro-
priation bill could not even be got through
for a mere survey and report Of Government
engineers upon the much more important
project OF ship canals from the lakes to the
Ohio and the Mississippi, deservedly iell
into the Congressional waste-basket. If 1t
ever comes up again with any chance OF
passing, it must be minus the irills of an
inner CONSTRUCTION company" and free from
the incident OF 500, 600, 600 of pure water in
the stock.
The list of things which Congress did
comprises mostly the commonplace, and not
very much even of hat But the tariff bill,
of course, stands out as an exception, and
we think that this act, before twelve months
have passed, will be recognized by the
country as highly beneficial. Already the
extravagant claims of the altitude to which
it was to raise prices are dissipated by the
daily market quotations. With new In
dustries stimulated through the country,
and with the advantages which are promised
to trade from the kindred operation of the
reciprocity provisions under Mr.. Blaine's
direction, the doctrine and practice of pro-
lection are both likely to be materially
L. al i'll in r,lo
of being weakened as the adverse critics
were so ready to prophesy. Faith in the
tariff is to-day the distinguishing policy OF
the Republican party. By standing up Tor
home industries and home market Tor the
products of home labor it has gained the
confidence of the business interests of the
country. On other points its leaders are
frequently and widely open to criticism, but
on the whole if apart from the tariff they
have done nothing notable this winter, it
must at least be conceded that they refrained
from doing several things which they were
urged by unwise advisors to do, and which
ii done would in all Likelihood have re-
suited very badly.
So far as personal fortunes and reputa-
tions are affected by the work of the winter,
three results are noticeable. Blaine's star
has risen until there is no competing stellar
attraction in the Republican armament.
Reeds leadership has proved meteoric and
disappointing and will hardly again be
heard of as determining factor in the Re
publican councils. Among the Democrats
Cleveland has kept himself we'll to the front
by his timely and vigorous exposition of the
unrestrained folly OF free silver coinage. Of
new men, our own Congressman, Dalzell,
has made as much advance toward national
reputation as any.