New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-03-06

INV TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNE1
=, March "a man who has been
nd watchful observer OF the proceedings OF
zee" ryth Congress as he had been OF those OF
inc -.vious Congresses was asked TO describe II
Hi'' ,,vle sentence. After moments reflection
!" ,,,l,. replied: 1T would have been strong
nc sa,ul body II one-haf of 1t had not been az
go with legislative paralysis
Hie'eu so,s who are qualified by personal OBJ
M o,d knowledge Of the facts TO express an
s e,, will be likely to agree with him. In any
w. ,-,e,S Of the work of that Congress due weight
iAI, - ...e, 70 the conditions which prevailed In
va controlled the Senate. In that body no party
- majority and therefore the leaders OF neither
ho Greater parties felt that sense Of response
-, witch springs from party control. The Pop
,,st senators held the balance of power. and they
u- .c.eS and voted with the Democrats be-
-. ,,ost Of whom and themselves slight diff
s1a,css existed far as political policies and
',es were concerned. The little knot Of Sound
e Democratic Senators not only saw with
a,,roval but applauded. the secession from their
IT,, q, the silver Republican Senator'S Not only
S1.vd.1 them but voted with them and with
or ,lye, Democrats and Populists TO prevent the
si5a-ation OF measures 10 increase the revenues
- rsnlenish the National Treasury.
g. -. h.sore the secession OF the silver Senators
che Republicans were powerless to carry through
ry legislative measure which was soiidy opposed
a Democrats ana fOpuiists ~ - ~S '''"' W
n.-,ocratic consent a reorganization of the COM
,,taas NJ the Senate effected. under which
-, r,a-,,biicans obtained a number OF desirab Bile
-. .,~-,snsbios and committee-rooms. and so on.
A, ,be same time. they were saddled with respon-
sbuitjes which they were poweriess to discharge
q, rAgard 10 legislation. They had become masters
o,d pilots but were without the power to command
the headstrong crew or direct ana cohtroi 'he
course OF the vessel. That followed which was In
hay expected
the fact that one of the three parties in the Senate
MS hAld RESPONSIBLE In measure for faulty legis-
Istion and other shortcomings which 1t could not
prevent and that the other two parties appeared
10 feel little or of responsibility IN regard
10 legislative matters
CONDITIONS IN THE HOUSE
In the House 0; Representatives the conditions
were different but in some respects not less GILL;
cult and embarrassing, even II they led 10 less ul-
fortunate results. There was no lack OF party CON
troll On the contrary the majority was TOO Dig
100 overwhelming. In such a the temptation
not only 10 bear down opposition by mere force OF
numbers but 10 bring forward and push through
measures that are extreme unsuitable and some
times altogether reckless and improvdent Is strong
and often irresistible. That was the case IN the
House Of Representatives which has just ceased TO
exist and + IL had not been for the courage ana
ArInness and unsehsh patriotism Of the speaker.
the cordial loyal and effective support he received
from most OF the leaders OF the majority as well
as a few of the leaders Of the minority ana the
superb party discipline which existed the results
instead Of being fair and commendaDle IN the MAN,
would have been the reverse.
The noitical revolution Of 1894 brought into the
House of REPRESENTATIVES not only an overwhelm-
ing majority OF Republicans. but an unusually
IL rye proportion Of and inexperienced MEN,
bers Happily and IL must be added somewhat IN
expectedly. most Of them turned out to be men
who did not labor under the deIusion that their
commissions as Representatives in the LIVth Con-
gress had endowed them with omniscience in re-
gard 10 legislation and who were willing 20 study
and learn things Perhaps the whole the most
difficult thing they. well as many OF the older
members mad TO learn and fully realize and APP
precate was the fact that Government when Is
running behind at the rate Of so 100000 or more
evarv vea5 and living on borrowed money. must
either curtan its expenses or impair its credit
When one looks at the total OF appropriations
voted by the House of Representatives 90 WhlcA
the Senate added many millions more). he VIII De
likely to say that the lesson was but imperfectiy
learned and applied; but If he knew how much
bigger the total would have been but for the In
flexible resolution and hrmness of the Speaker OF
the House OF Representatives and the vigilance
activity and energy Of the conservative lead
ers he would rejoice 10 find 1t SO small
THE SITUATION CONFRONTING 1T.
When the LIVth Congress assembled in Decem-
Der 1896 the country was in deplorable condition
The repeal in 1898 OF the Silver Purchase Act OF
1890 by the preceding Congress had not produced
the results which It's authors and advocates had
desired and expected in the way Of restoring bust
ness confidence and prosperity. and the enactment
OF an NI-advis- Demonstrated and improvident
as well as ilnpracticable revenue law in August
1884, had not only added to and aggravated the
business and Industrial distress which already ex-
listed but had still further diminished the revenues
OF the Government and curtailed the resources OF
the National Treasury.
So threatening and critical was the aspect OF
affairs that President Cleveland felt constrained
very early in the session con December 90 1850 10
send special message TO Congress- In which in
the most earnest language he described the des-
perate condition OF the National finances and
appealed for the speedy enactment OF some meas
ure OF relief. Congress was urged TO sacrifice its
usual holiday recess and remain in session for this
purpose. Two things appeared TO be absolutely
necessary. One was TO provide revenue and
the other was 10 devise q plan TO protect the gold
reserve and provide for the issue OF certificates
Of indebtedness TO meet temporary deficiencies until
such time g. more revenue could be obtained.
PATRIOTIC ACTION OF THE HOUSE
The response Of the House Of Representatives 70
the Presidents appeal both patriotic and
prompt. Neither the prodding Of the spur Of the
Executive nor any other manifestation of Execu-
tive power and influence such as the Democratic
majority in Congress had required TWO years be-
fore, was now needed. The holiday recess was
abandoned, and the Committee on Ways and Means
Immediately began the task OF framing emergency
measures 10 meet the situation. and worked with
such diligence and industry that within a week
two bills were prepared brought In and passed
through the House. One OF them provided for
increase OF duties on imported goods. which. 1t