The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1892-12-01
AN EXTRA SESSION.
That IL the Question Now Agitating Demo
cratic Circles.

Whether there is necessity for extra ses-
sion of the SD Congress is a question which is
now agitating the gigantic intellects of the
leaders of the Democratic party throughout
the country. The consensus of opinion seems
to be that the party, with both Houses OF Con-
gress and the Presidency in their control, had
better proceed carefully, consider every move
ment with calm deliberation, and IL they IND
that the revenues of the Government are not
under the present system of taxation, more
than adequate, or are not sufficient to meet
the demands, as is claimed. and that de-
fciency stares the party in the face upon TAX
ing charge of the Government next March,
that an extraordinary session of the legislative
branch of the Government must, of necessity,
be ordered by President Cleveland.
Many views are expressed pro and con on
this question, the latest of which is from Hon.
Tom Catc1ings, the Representative from the
Third District of Mississippi, who has done
considerable hard work as member of the
Committee on Rules of the present House to
mold legislation during the past session, and
who has been reelected.
Mr. Catchngs is of the opinion that an ex-
ira session is necessary. He says that it looks
as if something would have to be done to pro-
vide the necessary revenue for the operation OF
the Government 1t is quite certain that the
present Congress. with Republican Senate,
will not do anything to lessen the burdens of
the incoming Democratic Administration, and
the new Congress will be compelled to take the
necessary steps. / would hardly think it the
proper thing for Congress in extra session to
undertake the complete revision of the tariff
laws, but there are a number of things that 10
can do that will greatly benefit the country.
1t certainly ought to repeal the Mckinley
u. Il - 1f tx-tv,r
the act of 1888 The old sugar schedule should
be restored. This would save the Sl3,000,000
we are now paying az bounties to the sugar
planters and bring in about 5O.O000O0 in
revenues, which would make our revenues from
that source in the neghborhood of 500. 000 900,
which might be sntf icent to furnish revenues
until after the next session, and possibly Tor
some time to come"
After expressing himself In this fashion at
considerable length, Mr.. Catchings says that
Congress ought to be called together as soon as
possible There need to be no protracted strug-
gle over the organization of the new House,
for he believes Mr. Crisp will again be selected
Speaker. He thinks the financial problem
such serious one that it deserves the atten-
ton Of all thinking Americans One thing
that will require great deal of study is the PEN
sion-roI. Eight years ago it was but $40 600 600.
and now. according to the newspapers 1t is
SITS, 100000. This Ia something frightful.
There is no doubt tho pension-roll conld be
revised proftably to the Government and to
the pensioner. We have now on the rolls
100000 pensioners. There are in this country
to-day 6 500 persons drawing pensions
count of tho war of 1912. This war WAS 80
years ago. and figuring it out according TO the
same ratio, when We have left the civil war so
years behind us, we will still have something
like 80. 900 pensioners on the roll. 1t is not q
pleasant thing to contemplate, and the legisla-
ton in this particular is something that should
be studied by the people"
Representative Bynum, of Indiana, who had
quite struggle for reelection in the Indian
apoiis district, says that an extra session is
absolutely necessary. " If no relief Is al
forded at the coming session." said be then
something must he done by the Democrats,
and an extra session must be called tor that
purpose. There is no danger OF getting the
tariff 80 low as to injnre anyone. The COM
mittee could within q month. present
com pIete revision of the tariff. and the wooden
schedule, which of course would be changed Is
q very strong reason for an extra session. This
schedule cannot he changed too soon. In this
line the supplies OF the manufacturer and the
goods Of the dealer are purchased year Or SO
in ad vance, and violent and sudden change
should not be made, as that would impair
business"
~ understand stree coming to Washington"
said Senator Vest, of Missouri, THAT deficit
is upon u.s. the expenditures of the Govern
ment will exceed che income, and a shortage
will occur this year The amount IS yariousiy
estimated at from 40 to so millions of dollars.
have no opinion now as to what course IS the
best to pursue. None of Us know what the
| condition of the Treasury is. nor how badly we
| are in the hole for we have not seen the books.
| We cannot know until Congress convenes. /
| am free to say, however. that whatever the de-
| fcit is we must meet it and provide tor 1t this
| session. We must not leave 1t for the next
| session of Congress-"
| Senator Cockrell, also of Missouri, does not
know anything about deficit, but thinks if
| there is one it should be provided for at this
session. At the same time he says he is heartily
| in favor of extra session OF Congress, but
this lies entirely with Mr.. Cleveland, and he
| thinks he is wise enough to see the needs of
| the country and order IL II ne THINKS IL ID
| necessary.
| Col. w. R. Morrison, of Illinois, of the Inter.
| state Commerce Commission, believes that the
Democrats should tackle the tariff question
| Immediately and that Mr. Cleveland ought to
| order an extra session for this purpose.
| Senator Carlisle, of Kentucky. says that the
| time has not yet come to decide whether there
| should be an extra session. The tariff alone
| does not furnish a sufficient reason for one. 1t
| will largely depend upon what the coming
| session does If some action is not taken to
| provide for the deficiencies III the revenues an
| extra session IS imperative. IL Cney 90 not re-
| peal the Sherman law relating TO the purchase
| OF silver ami take other similar action the
| Treasury will be swamped and an extra session
| will be unavoidable. 1t need not ba called,
| however, until late in the Fall.
| Representative W. L. Wilson, Of West Vir-
| ginia is strongly of the opinion that an extra
session should he called early after the 9TH of
| March, He wants it to take Immediate hold OF
| the tariff question not to put new tariff
| bill before the country just previous to the
| elections of 1894.
Hon. ". S. Holman, Of Indiana. tho Chair
| man of the House COMMITTEES on Appropria-
| tions, says be favors tariff for revenue only,
except on sugar. which should be on the tree
list He also fay0rs a radical reduction OF pub
lie expenditures and the passage OF an income
tax law. He thinks that so far rs the tariff is
concerned much more can be done in the ordi-
nary manner, and through the ordinary chan
nels, than by calling an extra session. Accord
ing to Mr.. Holman the only reasons which can
| be advaced for the calling of an extra session
would be the condition of the public finances.
Extra sessions have been rare and have only
been called on occasions of great emergency,
which condition does not confront US at this
iuhcture and as Chairman of the Committee
on Appropriations he is not prepared to say
that there will be deficit which will demand
an extra session of Congress.
He thinks that with proper rsductiors all
along the line Of public expenditure the rev.
enues will come within the expenditures and the
necessity of the extra session done away with.