Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1895-03-05
TUESDAY MARCH 3, 1896.
The Two Congresses.

The Fifty-thlrd Congress has passed
into history, end the term OF the flI'y-
fourth has begun though this latter BODY
nc n whole has not yet been formally or
canized "The king Is dead, long i've the
king" IS the cry In monarchicai couh-
tries. "The Fifty-third Congress Is deao'
Make way for the Fifty-fourth" But how
different the composition or political COM
pIexion Of the House of Representatives
tho neople's chamber--of the Fffty-fourth
Congress from the composition or political
complexion OF the House OF Representa-
tiyes OF the Fifty-third Congress The
latter body IL set down as consisting OF
2lg Democrats: 124 Republicans; IL Popu-
lists. and vacancy. The former BODY
che House of Representatives OF the
Flftv-fourth Congress) is classified as fol-
lows. Republicans. ga; Democrats, lOi
Populists. G: Silverlte. !. These figures
make IL appear reasonably certain that
the President will not convene Congress
I'm extra session between now ana the
first Monday in December next unless
there should be developed hereafter some
reason which does not now exist FOR so
converting IL.
IL has often been said that the Presi-
dent who calls an extra session OF Con-
gress destroys his own prospects for Sc
curing a nomination for second term;
bat this saying Is one in which Mr.. Cleve-
land is not concerned, seeing that he Is
already serving out his second term, and
10 of fOrhidg
him to serve third term. In other words
Mr. Cleveland is free to assemble Con-
gress in extra session or not. as his best
Judgment shall dictate, and cannot be
accused Of having been influenced In his
decision by any selfish or personal con-
alterations. If II be said that he may
force the Republicans TO show their hand
10y summoning Congress to assemble be-
fore the time fixed by law, 1t may be up
held that the rule would hold good as
against the Democrats. who would also
be forced to show their hand.
If there shall be no extra session. we
Jay regard the next presidential cam
Daign as already "on" "Skirmishing for
position will be begun at once, for from
the time of the first regular meeting Of
the next Congress there will remain less
than a year before the next presidential
campaign. and IT would not suit the pur-
poses or schemes of TIE politicians 10
postpone campaign work so long. This
diminishing for position" let us add.
may be largely inside of party lines. This
fact will induce the party leaders TO see
10 IL that all the work which can be pos
sibly done in the way of setting presi-
dental triggers shall be done before the
first Monday in December next.
We have written thus far as If no ac-
and new parties which have already made
their appearance or may be expected to
make their appearance In the presidential
fed. The Republican party is an anti
silver party, as a rule. though there are
many silverites In II. The Democratic
party is silver party, as a rule. though
there are many anti-silverites in it. The
Democrats of New England, New York.
Pennsylvania, Delaware, and Maryland
are just as good gold monometallists as
are the Republicans OF the same States.
on the other hand, the Republicans OF
Ohio. Michigan, and some other western
or Rocky Mountain Republican States,
are as decidedly silverites as are the
Democrats Of any Of the Democratic sli-
yer States. We do not think that for
President the Republicans will fail to
nominate a regular Republican, nor the
Democrats fail to nominate a regular
Democrat. But both parties may put their
candidates upon platforms inconsistent
with the records Of the nominees them
selves. as both parties did In 1892
This forecast will fail to 'materlalize"
II the International Bimetallic Conference
settles the silver question this year, or
even convinces the financial world that
1t is soon to be settled. The silver ques-
ton out OF the way, the Democratic party
would have every reason to expect the
ship OF state to enter upon a prosperous
voyage. and that party TO aid in centering
upon Its sails the gales which will watt
II into haven Of good times.