Year: 1876

The indsDOstiOn of each branch OF Congress
to take any decisive step regarding the cur
rency question is very natural, but also very
unfortunate. 1t springs from the prevailing
partisanship. Republicans are afraid TO do
anything in the Senate, because any action
whatever might impede the success OF the
party in some one of the doubtful States, and
give tho Democrats an opportunity to gam
some advantage of position. For precisely the
same reason the Democrats are afraid to do
ANYTHING in the House, and, though they have
voted repeatedly upon bills proposing the re-
peal Of the Resumption act, 1t seems probable
that oven this would not have happened If the
shrewdcr leaders had not been confident that
any snch measure would have been stopped in
the Senate OF by veto. Since there was no
danger that any such action could be final, 1t
was thought good policy by repeated votes to
gather up the party strength as far as possible
upon this measure IA pretended compromise
Democratic journals point with much pretended
indignation at the InactiOn of the Senate. But
meanwhile Republican journals, with at least
coual truth, denounce the do-nothing House.
Both parties want to do nothing, as far rs
possible. Each breads the currency question:
and vet each hopes to use it for the dcstruc-
ton Of the other.


This peculiar position has done very much
TO strengthen the dissatisfaction OF thoughtful
and patriotic citizens with both parties. lhey
feel that the public welfare is neglected; nay,
that it is deliberately sacrificed On either
side. anxiety for the success of party IL the
oDeny-avowed or scarcely concealed motive
for refusal to act. Whatever the opinions OF


Il. Al ,t,,n no nnp ~
tainty and refusal to act are most injurious.
Whether one desires initiation or contraction,
or any one of the ten thousand devices Tor i'll
Aating without seeming to initiate, or
for contracting without seeming to con-
tract, in any case he believes that his
pana ,ea will cure patient whose sore sick
ness we are all forced TO realize, and blames
Congress because this infallible remedy Is not
applied without delay. TO blame Congress IL
TO blame both parties. Republicans ann their
public censures at Democrats. and Democrats
at Repubhcans, but men of each class privately
acknowledge that their own party leaders are
equally culpable. The real fault, as men are
coming to understand more clearly every day,
il IN that party spirit which disrcgards the
public necessities.


very muCn OF lillS Cllti'lon IN "i""S'J W
rccted. 1t is well for the country and foitu-
nate for the party responsible, that nearly all
the measures proposed have been defeated.
Mischioyous rs the prolonged uncertainty Is.
it could only be increased by any repeal OF
the Resumption act not coupled with moro
sure and speedy provisions for resumption.
Had the wild-eyed rcpudiators of the Demo-
cratic party succeeded i'll Internationally re-
healing that act, they would have made
il impossible for that party to carry
New-York. But it is exceedingly un-
fortunate for tho country, and will
prove most disastrous to one party or the
other. that nothing has been done thus far to
proyidc for continued funding of the SIX per
cont bonds, or for the more rapid issue OF
silver coin in place of paper. The bill offered
by Mr.. Payne on Monday should have been
passed. 1t was defeated by the votes of the
worst class of Democrats, with the aid of a
few Republicans who are afflicted with the
paper-mOney lunacy. and the responsibility
for the many vexatiOus consequences which
may follow will rest mainly with tho Demo-
cratic party.


There il still o possibility that the Senate
may take advantage of this most discreditablc
deadlock. If the Republicans OF that body
have the sense and the courage to propose any
wise measure. it will count heavily against the
Democrats next Fall, if they cause it to be de-
feated in tho House. Already the Senate has
proposed and passed one very creditable
bill. 1t has proposed to continue the
funding process, and the House, reject
ing many other bills which deserved no
attention, has also refused as yet to pass this
most desirable measure. The Republican party
thereby gains marked advantage. 1t will
gain another, and in all probability still