Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1893-09-23
The Extra Session.

The Atlanta constitution says tnat II
e worthy Of note that tho same eastern
element and the same eastern newspa pers
which are now 'howling and shrieking''
for Immediate action by the Senate were
bitterly opposed to calling an extra SEES
sion In March last, some Of them ridl-
curing the proposition, whilst others de-
clarcd that an extra session would demon
alize business by prematurely tinkerlng
the tariff. The Constitution does not in
clude the Dispatch with the eastern clc-
,nont" which Il ia so much given to de-
bouncing. though this paper was one Of
ahe first 20 come out against an extra
session OF Congress in the spring Of the
year. We know OF no good reason why
any person should have changed his opin-
lon on that point. An extra session called
sn March last would have proved 10 be a
dead failure. The members could not
have been persuaded by friends or foes
10 have remained in Washington long
enough to have transacted the business
which It was expected the President would
commend to the consideration OF Con-
f,ress in case Of an extra session.
But that IS not all. The result Of an
extra session called in March last and
ending. as IT would have ended, before
summer, would have been two extra SEES
sions in one year. besides the two regular
sessions for which the law provides. For
IL must be remembered that II the Presi-
dent had convened Congress in extra ses-
sion in March last IL would not have
been In order that that body might repeal
the sherman silver law. but for other
and totally different reasons. 1t Is not
impossible that II the President had called
an extra session In March he would have
been compelled TO call second extra
session iu the summer 20 undo the work
Of the first or spring session. The reason
given FOR calling an extra session In
March was that il was important for the
Democrats % make haste 10 revise the
Mckinley tariff. But II Congress had be
gun the work Of tariff revision last March
The panic which so soon thereafter came
upon the country would have been laid
upon the new tariff. and the sherman
silver law would have been left untouched
and regarded with entire Indifference.
Senator Pugh, Of Alabama, says there Is
not one senator who has stated or he
licyes that that law caused the existing
financial depression: but he would not
have said that OF the new tariff If a new
tariff had been framed. seeing that many
of the Republican senators hold the NC
Klnley tariff 10 be a wise measure, ana
really would have expected any suDsu-
tute for IL that the Democrats might
make 70 bring ruin upon the manufacture
ing interests of the country.
We must beg leave. therefore, 10 differ
with our Atlanta contemporary rs TO
what would have resulted to the Demo
cratic party and to the whole country
from spring extra session of Congress
We admire the zeal and ability with
which that paper opposes and exposes the
schemes Of the Republicans and the mon !
omets. but we cannot but fear that If
Al succeeds IN its efforts In that behalf
II will find ere long that innumerable
evils will be charged upon the Democratic
marty as the result Of the failure TO repeal
the silver law. In word. the silverites
have more at stake in the proposition TO
repeal the Sherman silver law than the
Republicans or the goldtes 1t Is not
given To mortal men TO perfect all the
work that they undertake 10 do. Let our
Atlanta contemporary join hands with
such old-fashioncd Iacksonian, Jefferso-
MAN Democrats as Mr.. Voorhees, in re-
moving the Objectionable law from the
statute-book. and then attack the Nc
KIney tariff SO shall the Democratic
party retain power and maintain Its as
tendency.