New-York tribune., 1891-03-05
THE FJFTY-F FIRST CONGRESS.

ahle in the history of the country Inc 1acl
that no other has ever performed such effective
work in harmony with the principles which the
majority held sacred has been emphasized by the
votes of Democrats against the usual resolution
of thanks 10 the Speaker. One strong man. aole
70 evoke order from a turbulent mob, has known
how to quel the revolutionSts Who' though III
\ minority, wanted to rule by aWleSS methods
and has deserved the thanks which all hepuo-
icans gave him with peculiar emphasis anu
feeling. Yet it is a great compliment to MN
that the lawless and revolutionary members re-
fused their assent 10 the vote of thanks, ana
moved that to them at least Speaker Reed had
not been satisfactory.
The work OF Congress has been impeded from
the first by the factiouS resistance of minority
This was threatened before Congress organized,
and these threats were carried ont TO the III
most. Yet only one great measure OF public
importance has failed. The 1ani h!l mas
passed. the Apportionment bill has passed the
Postal Subsidy bill has passed, the Direct lax
bill has passed the Pensions bill and the ad-
mission of new States, and scores OF otner meas
ures of great value have passed. Never before
has there been a Congress which has accom-
pljshed so much believed by the majority to he
necessary to the public welfare.
This is strong commendation, and yet il is
justified Still another laurel this Congress de-
serves. It's integrity will not be a>>alIed by
those who give candid attention to the facts
1t has indeed settled great and long standing
claims against Government the French opoha-
tons claims, for instance, which have been
| pending for a hundred years in accordance with
| the obligations of honor 1t has met all Such
claims, broadly speaking. without the slightest
fear Of popular clamOr, ana at the same tune
has made such appropriations as were needed
far the public welfare Its record iS one OF un-
usual cleanneSS and integrity, though the
amount of appropriations is large; for it cannot
be honestly charged that members have in any
way benefited themselves 10y their votes. 1hcy
have voted money literally, as they believed, for
the benefit OF the Nation, but comparatively
small amounts have been voted for any per
sonal, local o: partisan interest. 1t i true great
public building, have been authorized, which
were deemed necessary, and if these votes were
in any case UnWlsc it j. yet clear thal members
were striving to serve their constituents II Is
true that great appropriations were made for
pensions, but if these were in any respect eX-
cc>,ivc il is yet beyond question that the ruling
motive was anxiety to honor loyalty and fidelity
to the Nation.
The closing hours Of Congress have been
sngularly clean, and free from diSrcpuabc or
suspicious acts. The time has been mainly
taken up with reports of Conference Committees
on measures Of large National importance. II
| is TO be regretted that the Senate receded tiOm
the provision for promotion Of the IlaWaHln
cable thus retarding for time the develop
| mcnt of commerce in that direction. The French
| Spoliations claims have been settled IN accord
ance with honesty though the settlement was
not TO the peculiar advantage OF any state o.
class of men. 1t is great triumph of National
morality that the Copyright bill has been passed
though it may need in some respects 10 be i'm
| proved. Another signal triumph OF honesty Is
the success of the amendment restricting the
fees Of all pension attorneys to -. except
ING in cases where 4 different fee has been cX-
preS>ly provided by contract. II is dllicui; to
conceive clearer test of the integrity OF Con
gress. since a powerful ana rich organization oi
attorneys stood on one side, and on the other
only body Of scattered and comparatively help
less pensioners.
The Apportonment bill, though not by many
considered As il deserved. was Of the greatest
importance Ii adjusted the distribution Of pc
litical power in accordance with the new dis
tribution Of population Again II was qucS-
ton of honesty. and again il was decided night
", in spite Of the CamorS OF some demagogncs
who tried TO rob Western states under the pre-
tence that this or that Eastern state had not
been fairly treated, The admission OF new
States must be placed in the same category IoI
these are certain to be entitled TO representa-
ton within year or two, but It is equally Ger
tain, Judging from past experience, that rev
States would not be admitted for long time
if a Democratic majority were able to control
the decision. 1t is to be regretted that the
Election bill has failed, and yet its support in
both houses was one proof of the integrity Of
the List Congress. The blame lies not with the
Republican majority in the House, which passed
the bill, nor with the Republican majority in the
Senate which voted and for long time
struggled for it. but with small squad Of mem
bers called Republicans. On the other hand, il
| is emnenty 10 the credit of Congress that the
Silver Coinage bill has been beaten, and has
been met with such arguments aad facts thai 1t
is not likely to succeed hereafter
The new Tariff bill was a magnificent result
! of the List Congress- 1t is yet TO be fully APP
preciated by the people. With great wisdom
Speaker Reed dccated in his admirable closing
address that time and distance were needed TO
ripen Judgment regarding the action Of Con-
| gress, and that the verdict OF history, the only
verdict worth recording, had not yet been rem
dered. The new tariff is growing every day in