The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1894-04-20
Panic Conaresses.

Panic Congresses.
A study of the records suggested by Mr..
Hatch certainly goes far to sustain his
statement and reveals some very curious
facts. The First congress was in session II
months and the Second only 10, after which
came three very short and not very event
full terms. The Fifth was the first panic
congress, WAS called in special session May
10, 1877, and sat tive months, yet its en-
tire sittings covered but 13 months. The
panic of 1897, although terribly severe, did
not last very long, and after that came sew
eral short terms, the Ninth congress sit
ting only eight menths in all and being
the shortest lived congress in our history.
1t is a little singular that the war congress
of 1S13-15 was one of the shortest, its en-
tire sittings covering but 10 months
The Twenty fifth was another panic con-
gress. 1t convened by call of Mr.. Van
Buren, on Sept. 4, 1887, and was in session
most Of the time to July 8, 1888. If one
half stated in the Wing papers of that time
was true, this congress was the greatest
collection of traitors, rascals and nincom-
poops ever got together, and if one-half
they said was false the editorial liars of
that day could give US fellows 90 in the
game and double discount us. The main
fact to be noted is that the troubles of the
time resulted from causes long in opera
ton and could not be cured rapidly by any
legislation, in which that congress had
substantially the same difficulty IS this
one has.
Long Sessions of Congress.
John Tyler's first congress tried hard TO
break the record, but that was time of
such general trouble, and so many horrible
tragedies afflicted the administration that
party lines were TO some extent laid aside.
The longest session before the war was
also the most remarkable between Wash
ington and Lincoln-namely, that Of the
Thirty first congress, which sat continu-
ously from December, 1S49, to the last day
of September, 1850. It ended the careers
of many great men and passed the meas
ures which led to general revolution in
party politics. 1t settled the status as re-
CARDS slavery of all the territory acquired
from Mexico and established that system
of territorial government which remains
to this time At first view it seems little
surprising that the first war congress Of
1868 should have been in session less
than 12 months all together but this is
ignored till the second year, and that very
little except war legislation W; needed.
The famous reconstruction congress of
1867 sat no5 quite IA months, but since
that time the tendency has been for tho
first session to continue about as long as
the people will stand it. The Fiftieth
congress ended Oct. 90, 1883, having
lasted ioT months The Fifty first or so
called Mckinley congress was a good sec
ond, as the first October frost was on the
when it adjourned, but that
was nothing to the political frost which
came five weeks later. Taking the whole
history, we see abundant reason to accept
the opinion of Joe Cannon that hereafter
congress will be a continuous body, its
members taking only short vacation in
the hot weather, as other business men Go.
Political Straws.
How much truth there is in the view of
Mr. Hatch that the farmers are in a con-
dition of gloom bordering ons despair I
cannot say, but it is certain that that is
the condition Of very many of the domi
nant party in this house, especially of those
who have lately been home to see about
their conventions. 1t is somewhat anus
ing and certainly is very unusual for
leading members of party TO give up an
election in advance, but that is what some
of the northern Democrats here have done
The southern members, being sure of re-
election, with rare exceptions, strive in vain
to encourage their northern copartisans
with the statements that the party in pow
er is usually beaten at the off year cleo
tons anyhow. That is poor consolation
to about so members of this house, who
only got here by political revolution in
the first place and are pretty sure that if
they miss it this year their several ''gooses
are cooked" and their names individual
" are Dennis.
Mr.. Holman, after careful study of In
diana, says the Democrats are sure of elect
ing three men to the next house and have
a fighting chance for three more. In this
house they have II. And this is about the
average of comfort received from northern
states. The panic, the veto and the last
elections had indeed depressed them, and
Hills speech on the tariff COM
pletcd the Decentralization. When told that
4. A. = h. f,Il "a ~