Year: 1874

Congress met on the first day o.
this month under most exceptionable
circumstances. In September q
financial crisis suddenly struck down
and paralyzed all interests. The
shock Of that convulsion is still fell
and its force is by no means expend-
ed. 5a o 4


This condition Of things was pre-
cipitated if not caused by vicious
legislation, affecting the currency,
expenditures, and special classes.
There was q universal demand for
relief and reform, not by temporary
expedients, but through an extirpa-
ton of admitted abuses and evils.


When Congress came together
three weeks ago they had $2,1l5,0OO
of the peoples money in their
pockets, or Sc, ,525 per head, for pay
from the 4th OF March last, not a
dime of which had been earned
Nine months had been paid in ad-
vance of organization.


Though not recently chosen, a
large majority Of the members Of this
Congress saw the effect produced on
the latest elections by the Credit
Mobilier corruption and the salary
steal. They had witnessed, too, the
ruin and distress resulting from the
monetary disturbance, Ii there was
no impulse Of patriotism, policy
alone Should have stimulated the
activity of a Congress thus beset
with urgent demands and duties
With maio1ities largely exceeding
two-thirds in both Houses political
obstruction was impossible. There
was complete power in hand. Moth
ing but disposition and ability to do
the work was wanting.


Congress adjourned from the 10Th
of December to the 9th Of January,
after a brief term Of gabble, gross
personality, and violent alteration
disgraceful to the body and all con-
cerned. So far from responding to
the claims Of suffering people, these
insolent majorities have defed public
opinion, betrayed their trusts, con-
spired again i'll the interests of cor
ruption, and revealed even a worse
character than that which rendered
their predecessors infamous.


Not q single measure of real utility
has been brought forward. Even
the amendment of the Bankrupt law
was diverted to the uses of jobbery
and made q scheme to conceal fraud
and the venality Of public men under
the false pretence of protecting
honest debtors from harsh penalties.


When the majority confront their
deceived and disappointed constit-
uencies, they should be welcomed
with the resentment which treachery
and base conduct deserve. And be-
fore demanding an account of their
stewardship, let the accusations OF
one of their own number be held up
to the public eye. Here is what Mr..
Chandler said in the Senate when
his fellow Republicans were about
voting themselves q holiday of two
and half weeks:


1--WE have now been in session three weeks
and have accomplished absolutely nothing in
the three week. We have alarmed the coun
try little; raised the price of gold few pei
cent deranged business somewhat; done NJ
good to anybody or anything and now, having
been in session three weeks and accomplished
nothing, you propose to run home and rest, dc
you?"


If this had been said by Liberal
or Democrat it would have been
denounced as treason; but having
been uttered by one of the faithful
and most truly loyal it must be ac-
cepted. The sketch is true to the
last letter. It ought to be framed
and hung up in every household, SC
that when these plunderers come
again for favor and for votes they
may be recognized and answered as
they deserve.-N Y. San.