Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1893-08-12
A MOmentous Session.


meeting of the Fifty.third Congress
have been out of the ordinary routine
of politics. After Presidential nom-
nation 10 which subtle calculations
were scattered, and campaign whose
least attribute was the art of manage
ment, the Congress is called IN extra
ordinary session at an unusual season,
to deal with a financial situation so
different from all preceding strngen-
cies that the shrewdest bankers are
unable to deal with, or even to clearly
point out, the underlying causes.
1t is absolutely unique in finding
one of the two parties without the
feeblest pretense Of policy, and the
majority party apparently divided on
the subject uppermost in the procla-
nation of the President,
1t is remarkable in the number of
comparatively new men who are like
ly to become prominent The mem.
beers of short experience are almost
certain to have more opportunity than
similar experience would have once
in 80 years. Ordinarily, especially in
the Senate, the older members domi.
nate with something like despotism.
So they must now in the constructive
work done outside the two halls. But
in debate the younger members will
have ample chance to distinguish
themselves.
This Congress is peculiar in having
been elected by an acutely active pub
lie conviction on economics. Il is
fresh from contact with popular opin-
ion and is animated by the conscious
ness that definite, positive and unmis.
taxable reforms are expected by the
people. A mere perfunctory session
is impossible. II the old members
are content to sit still the new ones
will instantly assume the leadership
Stagnation Will not be allowed for a
single moment.
Monday the session opened. Speak
er Crisp took up the gavel for another
two years. Tomorrow the Presidents
message will be read, and the com
menus may foreshadow with an ap-
proach to accuracy the lines which
will govern the voting. 1t is under.
stood that Mr. Cleveland will suggest
the unconditional repeal Of the pur.
chase clause of the Sherman act, will
express friendship for silver money
and will more or less strongly present
his inference that equal coinage is a
doubtful expedient until European
nations agree to adopt a ratio. All
this he has said before, and there IS
nothing to justify a supposltion that
he has modified his opinions.
The West and the South do not &C
quiesce in all Of the Presidents views.
They believe in restoring the equal
coinage contemplated by the COnsti.
tuition. They concede that a read
iustment Of the ratio may possibly be
necessary, but nothing more. The
Democratic members from the West
and South will represent their coBstit-
uents. They cannot change and they
expect to win.
The best hope of all the country is
that every step will be marked BY
temperate discussion and honest |
study Of facts. II that hope Is realiz.
ed, there will be only good as result
when the session ends. Whatever the |
decision, 1t will be very nearly right. |
The currency system and the tariff
system will conform to the Demo |
cratic idea when the Fifty-thlrd Con.
gress adjoutns sine die. The party
has the direction Of the work and
must 60 TO the country in 1894 and
1896 on the votes of this and the first
regular session.
Looking ahead at the effect OF ils
action upon the party and the country.
the first Democratic lawmaking major.
ity since the war can at tho outset
select no safer motto than this
What is not Democratic is Danger
Gus. Republic