New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-08-07
THE EXTRA SESSION.

are happily extraordinary in Thu country. The
state of industry is one to which for the past
thirty years Americans have not been accus-
toned. Nor has there been any other time
since tho close of the Civil War when the
monetary condition was as trying it is now.
Thus, since the Republican party was charged
with the Government, Il midsummer session
! has been made necessary only once, by the
emergency of rebellion, and it was thirty two
years ago yesterday since that session ended
All will earnestly desire that this session may
bring practical relief But whatever good il
may be able to do. it is at least certain that
more good might have been done by proper
action at an earlier date, before industries and
exchanges had been disOrganized. it cannot
be said that the necessity for Congressional
| action could not be anticipated. 1t was fore
seen by Mr. Cleveland during the last winter 5
| session. when he besought his friends in Con
| gress to act at once. 1t was clearly fOresecn
| by President Cleveland after his Inauguration,
when he made known his intention not TO call
an extra session until September, on the ground
that the people would by that time have "A
needed object lesson" The lesson has come
sooner and there mas been more Of II tEan he
expected. But if it was in truth necessary, if
there was no chance of getting proper action
without all the loss and suffering now wit
messed the country must charge il all to one
expense accountable cost of educating those
whose votes prevailed last November.
Hopes of speedy relief at the hands Of Con-
gress are somewhat chilled by the accounts
which Democ! at C journals give of the temper Of
members. Thus dispatch to " The New Yorls
Sum- describes the great gathering about the
old Southern headquarters, the Metropolitan
Hotel, in these words:
strangely enough, in all the hubbub and hustle
and pushing and crowding wircpnlline and Luton
holing not word has been heard about the
great financial crisis that In, compelled
the calling together Of these sweating states
men for the purpose Of cEGcting remedial lcgis-
lation. A New York Congressman said last night.
after he had been in twenty -four hours, that
the people Of the East wculd be surprised II they
should know that the groups Of men standing about
the hotels engaged in earliest conversation dis
cussing, not the financial problem, but the question
OF the distribution o. the l0avcs and fishes. said
he, 81 know that my constituents IN New-lOrk city
think that these ,nen are gathered III Washington,
eagerly and anNiously discussing the question how
the money question can be settled and at once. !
know that they talking Of nothing bu, the crumbs
OF patronage for among Il score OF men who hars
called upon me since have been In town. rot onr
has said anything except TO ASK nc how l stand
with regard to the se.eolioE Is Tom. Dick Harry
as one OF the officials oil the House
This is not Il novel revelation though rather
disheartening. For many years the party now
in power has been described, even by some of
its adherents, as " held together by the cohesive
power of public plunder," and it has shown
more intensity OF feeling about the Offices
than about the laws to be enacted Be
cause of its absorbing interest in parti-
sanship and the spoils, it has never been
able TO attend to public business eff
GENTLY, and its members of Congress have too
often seemed to care more for votes in their
States or districts next time than for the wei
fare of the country. But for men Of such a
habit Of mind this is most unfortunate time
1t will be their ruin and the ruin of their part,
if they do not Use above their accustomed
selves far enough to act with exceptional
courage and wisdom, for nothing less will re-
, store prosperity, and they will be judged by
results.
Many observers at Washington believe from
what they see of the disposition OF the majority
that nothing can be done without a compromise.
There are too many States and districts, it is
said, in which the majority succeeded only
through the aid of Populists who kept separ-
ate candidates in the field the more willingly
because their ideas were prOfessedly favored
quite as earnestly by the Democratic candi-
dates. Without the men from these States
and districts, it is argued, the majority will
find it impossible to take any action. Precisely
as THE TRIBUNE apprehended long ago, the
PopulistS insist that all disasters are the result
of refusal to adopt their notions and they will
| not be ready to Weld without a struggle the
| opportunity which business depression gives
| them of appealing to ignorance and prejudice
| against the money power Already IT is
| plain that there will be needed unusual iirmncss
and an unusual spirit of self devotion among
| members. if measure free from vicious and
destructive features is TO be passed. TIE
TRIBUNE sincerely trusts that Senator's and
Representatives OF all parties will rise TO the
occasion, and brushing aside all sectional and
partisan differences. act solely and promptly
| for the best interests of the whole country