Year: 1879

THE ACTION OF CoNGREss.-The Congress which


closed last week after session of fifteen weeks pas


sd so out of total of 1922 bills introduced The


session. however, convened for the consideration


especially of three objects rendered necessary by the
wranglng of the politicians at the close of the pre-
ceeding session. The extra session was no accident


It could have been avoided, but was intended as If
proved, glOditorial scene between the party giants
with the whole nation through the press spectators


Each party put its best athletic in the front and the
fight from its even balance was interesting If the
Democrats were satisfied with the results the Re
pubicans were apparently delighted; while President
Hayes showed he had back bone as stff as that of
old General Jackson Mr.. Bayard who rises above
the demagoguc (as most politicians Go not advised
against the putting of political riders the back of
appropriation bills, and had the caucus needed his
wise counsel, much bitterness would have been
avoided, expense saved and political capital not
wasted. AS it is the sectional spirit incident to the
late war has been aroused and the result muttcriHgs
and angry growls that porend diScord and strife 1t
is claimed that new issue was intended to divert
from Cipher dispatches electoral commissions &C. so
that fresh impulse would seize the public mind
Two of the objects the removal Of the military from
the polls (0S police force and the abrogation of the
test OATH both necessary to enforce the laws in the
midst of civil strife but contravening the spirit of
our institutions in time of peace have been repealed
and the Southern people have secured all they sought
in the way Of local selEgovernment and freedom
from Federal interference. and far they should
rest satisfied But the third great measure which
the fight was prolonged and which is not vet settled
affects the North and ii now looks as if it would have
to be fought out at the polls rather than in the Halls
of Congress The Deputy Marshal and Supervisor
laws, which is now the bone Of contention were en-
acted after the last election OF Cen Grant when it is
sad OUO0 fraudulent votes were cast in the city Of
New York, thus sinking the honest voters of the
state beneath this mass of cOrruption-bunncrs
tramps repcaters, the filth and scum Of society The
authority given the marshal and lis deputies (Which
may have sometimes been abused gave New York CITY
as correct an election most of tie cities The battle
ground which is to decide the next Presidential eIcc
tion is most probably New York ana political
honest as factor, is not likely TO have place in
the issue. Louisiana and Florida ought to have
given us enough Of corrupt elections. As we said
before the legislation debates of the fifteen weeks
pertained mainly to political subjects Two or three
laws were passed for the protection Of the country
against the yellow Fever authorizing the redemp-
ton Of subsidiary silver coin (Which have heretofore
been taxed from one to two per cent on the larger
part of their saleS} the creation of commission for
the improvement of the Mississippi and the change
in the revenue laws removing the duty on quinire |
was nearly all Of importance save the appropriation
bills among which 10000 10 Geray the expenses
OF the representation of the United States at the
Worlds Fair in Australia and 5000 for the erection
of monVm ent TO mark the birth place of General
Washington. If Congress did not accomplish much I
important legislation in the fifteen weeks il was in
session. the number of mischicYous acts was smaller
than usual.