Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-11-20
A N EXTRA SESSION
Conditions That May Result in President
McKinley's Calling One.
In Case a Revenue Bill is Not Passed
This Winter-A Political
Necessfty.

1t Is the opinion Of the politicians, re-
gardless Of party, that IL the Dingley bill,
or some other revenue measure, is not
passed this winter, an extra session of the
new Congress will certainly be called. And
the sooner after the old Congress has ex-
pired the better
When Mr.. Cleveland was elected in 1892
the question Of an extra session of The
new Congress was presented 10 him. Some
OF his supporters thought he ought to call
one, and call it promptly. The country
was in no distress at the time except from
the anxiety felt by the business interests
about the tariff legislation which was to
redeem the extreme platform upon which
the battle had been won. But this was
threatening. and it was argued that by
setting Congress at once to work and put
ting bill In shape much Of this anxiety
would be relieved But Mr.. Cleveland, with
thoughts only of the spoils hunters, did rot
want Congress on his hands," and so re-
1ected the suggestion. Presently the anxi-
ETY. Of the business interests passed all
bounds and panic developed. Then Mr..
Cleveland came around and called Con-
gress together, but, to meet the new emer-
gency, felt obliged to put financial
matters ahead Of economic matters. The
battle had been won on the tariff. but be-
fore Congress took It up that question had
bill finally passed proved a dismal failure.
The republicans have been carrying the
country by large majorities ever since.
Many Of the republican lea iers are con-
sidering this history. They hope that Mr..
Mckinley will not permit the St. Louis
platform to get cold before presenting ii
to Congress for legislative redemption. Two
things were promised by the party in that
instrument: A sufficient revenue. adjusted
upon protection lines, for the support OF
the government, and an effort to bring
about international agreement in the
interests of silver. A revision OF the tariff
to the one end. therefore, and the appoint
ment of a commission to the other, should,
it is suggested, receive prompt attehtion.
There are some Indications that Congress
in extra session might dispose of both
propositions without long delay. The none
tary commission matter need not lead to
protracted debate, and way is suggested
by which tariff bill might be practically
ready for the House to begin on as soon as
1t organized
1t seems to be agreed that Mr.. Reed will
be Speaker again, and il SO happens that
nearly all of the majority members of the
ways end means committee of the present
House will also be members Of the next
House. Then why not again members of
that same committee, with Mr.. Dinsley
again at their head? Then let them go TO
work informally this winter. and get a new
tariff bill ready. The routine OF the short
session will embrace only the appropria-
ton bills. That work will not devolve on
these men. They will have abundant time
for tariff studies and tariff adjustments,
and by the 4th of March could easily have
revenue measure in an advanced state
of preparation. This work could then be
adopted by the new committee after its
formal organization, and presented to the
new House for debate and passage.
There goes with an advocacy of this
course the opinion that if the question is
taken up in such frank and prompt spirit
no delays will occur in either house of
Congress. Even the majority Of the silver
men agree that the republicans are entitled
to put their policy to the test. Fflibuster
tactics by the minority, therefore, are not
expected