Omaha daily bee., 1893-06-10
woRk OF TIE ExrKA SESSION.

" bfN VII fffE tfEN ~ '''F'''''N-''
In announcing that he would call the
Fifty-third congress together in Sep
tembcr President Cleveland made no
reference TO any other subject for con-
sideration at that time than the finan-
cial condition. In stating, as he was re-
ported, that this is the only matter now
menacing the welfare and prosperity of
the country, he implied that mono other
would be presented for the attention of
congress at the extra session. 1t is
possible, however, that he did not in
tend to be 50 understood, but simply
that the financial condition would be
given the foremost place in the consider
alton of the national legislature At any
rate, there is the authority of the Wash
ington correspondent of the Philadel-
phia Lcdgcr for saying that the work of
the extra session may be extended TO
the consideration of legislation intended
to increase the revenues of the govern
ment. 1t is not to be expected that any
thing will be accomplished in this direc-
tiOn before the regular session, and it is
by no means assured that even then
III bNi WIZ VIC 'ipllN, i'uU ~ iilhJ ,S p'pSi
bic to make a beginning at the special
session.
The urgent necessity of increasing the
revenues of the government, under ex-
listing conditions, is recognized by men
of all parties, but the problem
of how to do this is an eXtrem ely diff
cult and perpleXing one, the wise solution
If trh inh lNtr 1N
hardly be expected by any one familiar
with the quality of craftsmanship that
will dominate that body. AS the cor
respondent to whom reference has been
made we'll says, there is a great differ
cncc between formulating the bombastic
declarations and rallying cries of a
partisan platform and preparing a great
| revenue measure to maintain and carry
on the government. There are plenty
of men in the dominant party in con-
| gress who are capable of doing the
former, but is there any one among
| them having the qualifications to do the
| latter? The fact. as understood, that
| the administration proposes to form
ulatc revenue measure indicates
bllC pi t5luCllU lltto nv ltli iiiVli III
the ability of the leaders Of the next
| house to perform this task to the salts
| faction of the administration. The
annual requirement of the government
to meet current expenditures amounts
to S400, 900, 900. 1t is not now receiving
| this revenue, and unless something is
done to provide it from taxation the
! wi h., ,,,,,nn1lnl 10 rnyu
money and issue interest-bearing bonds.
In view of the fact that there is little
chance of effecting general revision of
the tariff, as contemplated by the demo
cratic leaders, in time for q new meas
ure to become operative on July /, 1894,
it is suggested that an emergency act
might be passed to take effect at that
date. Such an act, it is proposed, should
increase the tax on distilled spirits, fer
mented liquors, tobacco and snuff, place
o duty of | cent per pound on sugars
now coming in free, and restore tea and
coffee to the dutiable list, from which
they were dropped more than twenty
years ago. Undoubtedly considerable
addition to the revenue could be made
III way, DuV Ollo POI W oh'tu tiSouiIics
the responsibility of leyying duties upor
sugar, tea and coffee takes very great
risk and it is questionable whether the
administration will recommend such {
policy. Congress will be convened
in September with the primary purpose
of dealing with the financial condition
but it seems probable that it VIII also bt
called on to consider the question of in
creasing the revenue of the government
1t will doubtless find the time befor,
the regular session fully occupied will
the first subject and it is by no means
certain that it will be disposed of at tn,
extra session, Notwithstanding the conf
dent predictions of the opposition to the
silver purchasing law. The advocate:
of repeal may be successful in the house
but their chances are not so good in th'
senate.
IT SEEMS almost sacrilege to turn Il