New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-03-06
THINGS NOT DOVE.

When one considers how the last days OF
Congress were spent the things left undone' ana
what sums were voted away for objects not OF
general importance there is much temptation
to speak disrcspectfully. 1t did some most
worthy and honorable things. this LNth Con-
gress. but seemed to have become morally ana
mentally tired toward the end. Speaker Reed
deserved and received great praise for his man.
aeenent in the House, and especially for stop
ping many reckless appropriations. but ne dld
not stop nearly all Of them, and would probably
testify. II compelled 10 answer under OATH tna1
he could not have stopped as many as no dld
if he had tried to draw the line much ugnter
The Senate as usual in recent years. showed
itself altogether less reasonable and conserNa-
TIE than the House. and the loss OF some
members whose terms have now expired may
provc a blessing
The mere magnitude of appropriations. II
many were not unworthy. would not he ground
for ccnsure. The fact is that Congress ought
not 10 have voted some millions that II dld
appropriate. but might wisely have appropri-
ated larger sum in the aggregate than II dld.
II was economical where the honor and safety
Of the country might he affected. II was almost
= empty success TO secure authority Tor more
battle ships. when il was provided that no con-
had first been made for armor plate nj $500
a ton Bessemer pig is So - a ton higher now
than II was when that price was found impos
sjble and American works We're employed TO
build armor for the Russian Navy at much
higher figure Nor Is the remedy quite 50 easy
as some suppose Building costly works for the
manufacture Of its own plates. the Government
would not vet bc in position to use such pat
bq
tracts 10 the exclusive use Of certain concerns.
II is most proper 10 desire thai the country
should not he charged unfairly. but It was
found better during the Spanish war TO pay
two prlces for some things than not 10 have
them.
The controversy about the Army cannot be
ascribcd 10 honest difference Of opinion. The
bottom of the difficulty there was the determi-
naticn Of large proportion Of the Democrats
10 make trouble for the Administration and the
country so far as they could in the hope Of gain
ing partisan advantage. No censure can be toe
strong for such conduct. Al the same time the
Republicans in charge Of legislation owe il &c
themselves 10 explain why they allowed meas
ures of such extreme importance TO lie about
for months. until the end Of The session was So
near that Democratic flibusterS could have
their own way. That same almost ineXcusablt
fault-need!eSs delay for months Of measures
known by everybody 10 be necessary TO th'
public welfare and safety. while time in Con
cress was wasted day after day in windy ora
tions or wordy partisan dsputes-Stands re
sponsible for great share Of the shortcoming
of This Congress as of Others before IT, II Re
publicans who are charged with the conduc
of legislation in the two houses cannot correc
this they may have occasion TO regret il sorciy
Many measures Of real importance failed
also because there was rather TOO much Oh
stlnacy In insisting upon individual opinion
Honest differences there always viii be In lrgls
Iative bodies. and not much good can ever ID
done unless there is shown reasonable dispose
lion to yield something for the sake Of the pub
lie welfare The wrangleS over widely diverse
currency bills not only blocked action on iha
subject but probably rendered future actor
more difficult The Nicaragua Canal proiec
stranded on the difference between those WIFI
honestly believe That thc United states should
build ana owl zach a wonA ANA those wis