Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1896-12-06
CONGRESS AND ITS WORK.

MI AaH "OUNs
The Fifty-fourth Congress will meet
tomorrow and will stay in session
plumb" to the 4th OF March, when its
term expires.
This short session would be barren OF
great interest. were it not for the Gu
ban question. As 1t is-or is to be
everybody will wish to see what the
President will say about Cuba in his
message. and what Congress will DO
thereupon.
There are spectators who would give
thousands of dollars to know exactly
what position the President will take.
II the message is "warlike" there will
be no little of "hurry" in the bond and
stock market If ii be peaceable
It may be expected that the market will
be stronger, and that there will be
general rise in values. And so. II
speculator could but anticipate the con-
teErs OF the forthcoming message, ne
might use it to great advantage. But
the President isn't going to let has posi-
ton be known, If he can help II.
Nor can we be sure that the Cuban
question will be treated in his annual
message. 1t may be that he will make
It the subject of a special message. And
from news point of view. Mr.
Cleveland would better adopt the lat
ter course Then he would command
public attention for his annual message
and his special message, too. On the
other hand. should the Cuban question
be treated in the annual message. most
people would "skip" everything else in Il
and read only what he has TO say Of the
ever faithful isle"
Every man, and especially every news
paper man. Is entitled 10 conjecture
what position the President will
take on this important question When
Congress adjourned In the spring the
President was of the opinion that the
Cubans had failed to meet the require
ments precedent to a recognition Of
their belligerency. II is not easy 20 see
what has occurred since then 10 change
his opinion. The Spanish are tenacious
I'm their purpose. and the Cubans are uu-
conuuerable. But this we know--tRat for
five months past our Navy Department
has been straining every nerve TO put our
war vessels into lighting trim, and never
has this activity been more manifest
than during the past few weeks What
does all this mean? Are we preparing fol
war? Or are We putting ourselves in q
position where Spain win have to think
twice before defying us?
No matter what the President may
say. or fail TO say. about Cuba. the mem
beers OF the two houses Of Congress viii
have their "say" on the subject. II viii
doubtless be a fruitful theme Of discus
s,on. Another fruitful theme viii be the
Dingley bill There's likely to be a
rood deal OF ding-donging about this bin
hut Il gems to us that II is fated not
10 pass. The bill Of Mr. Dingley, Of
Maine. was introduced at the first ses-
sion of this Congress. with the avoweC
purpose Of providing additional revenue
which the government needs. II is pro
posed to transfer wool and some other
articles from the free 10 the dutiable list
and make "horzontal' increase Of the
other duties, equal to about ID per cent.
upon the Wilson-Gorman tariff The
Dingiey bill passed the House. but never
could get through the Senate. 1t is still
upon the senate's calendar. and might
be easily reached at this session Of Con
cress; but II is doubtfu If the Repubii'
cans now care 10 pass H. The indica
tions. we think. are that they will let i
die "A natural death-preferrug that the
tarir question should not be acted upof
at all untn Mr.. Kinley comes into Of
fee.
That Mr.. Mckinley Is willing TO cal
an extra session Of jhe Fifty-iifth Con
gress TO take up the tariff seems TO be
conceded. The Republicans. doubtless
think they VIII have majority In th'
Senate In favor OF high protective
tariff. and that It will be in their power
after the 4tb OF March next, TO pass an,
tarin bill that they may care 20. SO, il
what seems 70 be the plans OF the party
IN power are carried out, the DlngleS
bill win be given the go-by," and th'
tariff will be disposed OF at called SEES
sion OF Congress. sr,a
Should there be an extra session OF Con
gress.. we much doubt II the currenc,
question would DO disposed Of. even II 4
were taken up. There are signs that tbs
Republicans win move slowly, II the,
move at all. In this matter. There Il
some talk OF appointing a so-caIled mon
partisan commission" to consider the sub