ountry into civil war. But
the whole country is never so quiet--the public mind is never so free
from agitation, as immediately after an excited election contest. The
adjournment of Congress has had a similar effect. Stimulants to
sectional or party feeling are no longer there applied; the public
attention is no longer fastened upon public men, and social and civil
life resume their ordinary channels of quiet and harmonious progress.

Some of the State Legislatures are still in session, but their action is
too local to excite general interest. A very important Act has passed
the Legislature of the State of New York, re-organizing the Common
School System of the State, and placing it partially upon the free
basis. By the law of 1849 all the common schools of the State were made
entirely free, their cost being paid by county, town, and district
taxation. This was found to be highly obnoxious, chiefly from that
provision which gave the _voters_ in any district power to tax the
_property_ of the district _ad libitum_ for school purposes. The new law
was passed to remedy those objections. By its provisions a State tax of
$800,000 is annually imposed upon the property of the State, and
distributed among the schools. The balance, if any should be required,
is to be collected by rate-bill from those who send to school, indigent
persons being exempt, at the expense of property of the town. The bill
has become a law and will go into operation next fall. Another very
important measure has been introduced into the Legislature, concerning
the enlargement of the Erie Canal. The Constitution of the State sets
apart the surplus revenues of the canals in each year, for the
completion of the enlargement; but the rapidly increasing competition of
railroads has led the Legislature to perceive the necessity of
accomplishing this work more rapidly than it can be done in the way
hitherto adopted. The bill referred to proposes to borrow money on the
credit of the surplus revenues set apart by the Constitution; and with
the money thus procured, to complete the enlargement forthwith, setting
apart the revenues as a fund to redeem the certificates. The measure was
very strenuously resisted by the Democratic party, chiefly on the ground
that it was unconstitutional. This, however, was denied by the friends
of the bill. It was argued with great ability and zeal on both sides. In
the Assembly the bill passed, by a vote of 76 ayes and 21 nays In the