Year: 1878

/ High hopes were entertained of the
I present congress, hopes which have
withered aud are still dropping Much
important legislation was sadly needed
/ Vital interests were at stake, and press
ed with force upon the members. Trusts
ing constituencies rested securely in
promises made OF action and attention.
Six months of the session have been


frittered away, and nothing substantial


to show for it, except the silver bill, and
many people are coming to regard that
as very meagre blessing unless it is
speedily supplemented by the repeal of
the resumption act, or an extention of
the time fixed for the resumption of
specie payments, The members have
been airing their Oratory on all sorts of
/ trivial matters. Weeks and months
even, have been wasted in trivialities,
and now there is not sufficient time to
handle all the grave questions which
press upon congress. The appoints
ments OF the president, the Paris expos
sition and other matters of similar
trivial import have effectually barred
those stupenduous matters of internal
improvement which the people had
/ learned to believe would engross the
time OF the honorable gentlemen ID is
too bad that such matters AS the Texas
and Pacific bill, the federal court bill,
the levee bill and the currency guess
ton, have all had the silent go by. 1t
is not sufficient to charge that this in
action is due to the social blsndish-
ments of the capital, or 10 the other
dee ply deplored fact, that the demo
cratic congressional majority is with-
out leader of sufficiently command
ing ability and force of character
TO organize strong working
force out Of the materials in hand,
although many slow personss in ordi-
nary life really believe that to that
cause is referrable part Of the ineffi>
cheney of our majority so far this ses>
sion.


No good purpose is served by keep
ing open these great questions, but
much injury is worked by the disaps
pointment and uncertainty growing
out of it. The people looked to this
session of congress to determine if the
country is really bound hand and foot
10, ,f
Pacific roads. or if there is latent
manhood enough in all the governs
mert to enable it to legisiate upon
railroad subjects without the interier-
eBee of this corporation, or not. Not
withstandiug the company owes the
government many millions of dollars,


which it is either unable or unwilling
TO pay, it still has influence enough
through its immense lobby to drive out
of congress aud defer any scheme likely
10 conflict in the least with the fearful


monopoly il has fastened upon the
country. The country has not forgotten
| the Credit Mobilier combination, and if
that sort of influence is still poteut in
congress, we may expect TO see some


more disconsolat members smiling


pensively from the same vale of obscu>


rity which hides the light OF Schuyler


Colfax's shining countenance A short
vigorous course of action inaugurated


now and continued for couple of


months may work wonderful change


in the situation with regard TO these


important interests, as well ms in the


public estimation of the inefficiency


and inertness of the members.


The conviction is fast forcing itself


upon the country that the representa-


tiyes are more interested in the next
presidential race, as well as the last,


than they are in the immediate duties


in hand. There is a time for all things,


and there will be a time when the


members may enga ge in slate mak>


ing with propriety, bat that time is


not now. Other duties are expected OF


them and unless these duties receive


some attention at once the people will


grumble, and small wonder at that.


Our Texan delegation is knogn as one oi


the few working bodies in congress, and
Culberson saw fit short time since, to


administer stinging reproof to cons
gress because they do not. or will not,
second the working instincts of himself
and colleagues. Congress is at best a
, costly luxury, but when il remains in
Washington for six months and really
: does nothing, people are not TO be


blamed il they scold little. Thirteen
> years have rolled by since the wa,
3 closed, and yet the commerce of tbs
D nation remains as completely prostrated
1 as it was when the last gun sounded or
9 the field Of battle and still this is no
1 enough to infuse activity into the met
:" who are charged with the duty oil re-
. viving it. The country is overrun b,
j. vast armies of unemployed people, wan
!, and wretcheiness stalk abroad at noon
= day, aud still congress is not incliuee
= to suggest even q possible remedy


How sadly are we degenerated, aud hov


hopelessly we founder along, when
little active wisdom might work SO vas


and beneficial change.