The World. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1891-1896, 1893-01-24
EXTRA SESSION.
Some Think That It Can Be
Easily Avoided,
While Other Congressman Can See No
Way to Dodge Ii.
sherman lakes suggestion on the rrcsi.
deatiai Term-HRrfer waists the silver
Purchase Act hepealed-weadock
1hinks a Reform shonid Come.

WASHINGTON, Jan a4-The New York
Herald addressed letters TO prominent
senators and representatives in con-
gress. asking II they favored proposed
an extra session Of congress and If they
considered an extra session probable.
They were also invited 10 give their
reasons for their opinions The an
ssvers are 80 few that they are not Of
much value as indications Of what is
going 10 take place, but several Of them
make interesting reading. Hon
Michael d. Harter, Of Ohio, whose views
are always marked with thoughtful
ness, force and courage OF conviction,
writes the most notable letter in the
list II is as follows:
IF the purchase Of silver bullion Is
not stopped by the Fifty-second con-
gress an early session 81 the Fifty-third
congress may be needed. probably will
be, unless bankruptcy and the disgrace
OF falling to the silver standardo OF Mex
leo and south America are to be suf-
fered. Otherwise Isee no reason nor any
occasion for a special session earlier than
October. nor. indeed. for a special ses-
sion at all. A purely I'D valorem tariff,
eliminating all so-cailed protective fea-
lures and framed for evenue only,
ought to be sent into congress as an adj
ministration measure, and such n bill
should be passed, and would likely be,
without any important amendments.
No legitimate business In the United
States now needs or has needed one
farthing OF protection more than any
low tariff win Of necessity provide"
Senator Sherman declines to mix
in but says something on another sub
ject:
II have formed no opinion upon the
question put by you. 1t is purely a
matter Of executive discretion, and
| do not care to advise the president
elect. Ny hope has been hat a
constitutional amendment win be
adopted extending the term Of the pres
ident to the first Monday in May. md
have the old congress 60 put at that
date and a new one come in immediate
". / think congress ought always to
exist fully organized to transact the
public business, and a change in the
season OF the year for the end Of one
congress and the beginning Of another
would be 4 great convenience both to
the public and to members Of congress- z
Congressman Weadocls, one Of the
leading democratic members from Mich
igan, says the people have twice de-
manded a reform in the tariff, and that
the remedy should be applied as early
as possible. He declares that the tariff
has been discussed so long and so thor
oughly that further discussion is un,
necessary.
ssAs to the probability Of the extra
session, \ says Mr.. Weadock, lean only
guess. President Cleveland. it Is said,
Is disinclined to call one before Septem
Ger next Congress may fix an earlier
day, though tits not probable, because,
to use a polite word, it Is too conserva.
tive. An early session, whether, one
called by the president or convened by
law, would probably be brief. The proper
way would seem to be to refer tho
question to the committee on ways and
means, with instructions to report By
BILL
Mr.. Lanham, Of Texas, wants an ex'
ira session in May.
Owen Scott, Of Illinois, says: IAN
extra session in March and an immedi-
ate adjournment to the early autumn
would enable the committee on ways
and means to thoroughly digest the
tariff question after consultation with
the new treasury department and still
have. a wise and w~ellconsidered bill
ready by octoberL Then this could
be passed by the holidays.
Oats, Of Alabama, thinks there ought
to be an extra session not later than
September.