Year: 1876

Mr. Morrison has virtually abandoned the
Tariff bill Mr.. Payne abandoned the Cur
lency hill some time ago. and Mr.. Holman,
though he has not yet formally abandoned the
repeal of the Resumption act, is probably well
aware that 1t will not pass. Under these cir
cumstances, is it surprising that men regard
the performances of the House with some con-
tempt2 At the outset, We remember. great
things were promised. A majority OF the
Ueus, had been elected by men who ardenty
desire certain financial. reforms. 1t is true,
they did not agree and do not now agree ~ TO
the meaning of the word "rcform; = some OF them
want more money, and some demand specie re-
sumption some want free trade, and some want
higher duties. Traditionally She Democratic
party has policy on these questions. Bnt
practically it has none; some voted Tor
Democratic candidates and reform in 1872,
hccarse they were dissatisfied with Republican
legislation some because they thought the
Republican party had favored bankers, capi-
talists. and manufacturers altogether too much,
and some because they belle ,ed that it had
not performed its obligations with fidelity.
Ont of these conflicting objections came the
election of an opposition House. But if the
Republican House was open to censure, what
can we say of this which succeeds it'


No man who cares for the public honor, no
man who desires the restoration Of sound
currency, can contemplate the performances of
tho House without profound dissatisfaction.
But the infationists and repudiatOrs are
equally dissatisfied Congress promised much,
bat has done nothing. Weeks Of weary
cusing ended in disagreement, and in the Of
fering of bill which was emincntly calculated
to disgust sincere men Of either opinion. Not
even the pertinacious zeal of Holman or
Landers has satisfied the Western iconocasts
who want to strike down the National banks.
Repudiators who want to rob the public cIed-
itor look upon Mr.. Payne's bill cheat, and
with good logic ask " If it repeals one solemn
"pedge, why does it not go further and re-
"peal all pledges to public creditorsf" Though
doing nothing the House has contryed to cause
rs much mischief and to shock public credit
and private confidence as severely as if it had
done the worst in its power. Business men
of all classes, who appealed to Congress
early in the session with respectful petitions,
have come TO feel that its final adjournment
ia the one thing altogether to be desired,
and view with dread which they do not
attempt to conceal the prospect that the
session may continue for some weeks
longer.


Mr.. Morrison does not declare unequivOcally
that he will not try to obtain legislation at
this session on the tariff. That would be alto
gether too direct and practical behavior for
the leader Of such a House. Yet those who
most ardcntly desire legislation on that ques-
ton know that the continued I'm, ertainty
works great injury to business. No matter
what a mans beliefs may be, if he has COM
mon sense he knows that the country
suffers more from the constant fear Of
change than it would suffer from any
change of which there is any possibility.
Hence, il Mr.. Morrison is satisfied that ho
cannot get anything done at this session, how
ever much he may desire to crown his first
term as Chairman of the Committee on Ways
and Means with some important legislation, it
is duty which no owes to the country, and
TO every producer and dealer in the land, to
make some unreserved avowal of the fact. If
he thinks his Tariff bill can be passed, he ought
to push it through the House; if he
knows, as we presume he does, that it
cannot pass, he is grossly unfit for
the grave responsibilities of his position if he
does not take the earliest opportunity to put
an end to the tOrturing uncertainty, in that
direction at least. Perhaps it is not in his
power to give assurances respecting legislation
on the currency question. But if he should
| announce that he was willing to withdraw the
bill, and to make no further effort to pass it,
one cause Of constant irritation would be re-