The indicator., 1897-03-13

ly as a matter Of policy. but Is a du'!
to mankind The Importance ana NOR
al influence of the ratification OF euci
treaty can hardly he overestilnatea III
the cause OF advancing civilization, !
may well engage the best Thought oil
the statesmen and people oi every
country, and cannot hut consider II
fortunate that It was reserved 10 the
United States to have the leadership III
so grand a work.
Extra Sessions.
1t has been the uniform practlce III
each president to avoid. as far aS pos
sible. the convening of Congress IN 'N-
traordinary session. 1t Is an example
which. under ordinary circumstance
and in the absence of public nccrS-
xity, is to be commended. But ial!-
ure to convene the representatives 81
the people In extra session when II IN
wolves neglect of a public duty, places
the responsibility of such neglect upon
the executive himself The condition
of the public treasury, as has been IN
dicated. demands the immediate con
sideration of Congress. 1t alone has
the power to provide revenues for the
government. Not TO convene 1t uuder
such circumstances. | can view In 10
olHeT sense tIHu tllt utEIttl VI u pun
duty. / do not sympathize with the
sentiment that Congress In session Is
dangerous to our general business in
terests Its members are the agents ot
the people and their presence at the
seat of government in the execution Of
the sovereign will shonld not operate
as an injury. but benefit. There could
be no better time to put the govern
ment upon sound financial and eco
nomlc basis than now. The people
have only recently voted that this
should be done, and nothing is more
binding upon the agents of their Will
than the obligation of immediate nc-
ton. 1t has always seemed to me that
the postponement of the meeting of
Congress until more than year after
1t has been chosen, deprives Congress
too often of the inspiration of the pop
ular VIII and the country of the CORES
ponding benefits.
1t is evident, therefore, that to post
pone action in the presence of so great
a necessity would be unwise on the
part of the executive because unjust To
the interests of the people. our actions
now will be freer from mere partisan
consideration than If the question %:
tariff revision was postponed until the
regular session OF congress, we at'
nearly two years from a congressional
elections and politics cannot so greatly
distract us as if such contest WAS imme-
dlately pending. We can approach tin
problem calmly and patriotically with.
out fearing its effect upon an early
election. our fellow citizens who may
disagree with us upon the character of
this legislation prefer TO have the ques-
ton settled now, even, against their
preconcelyed views-and perhaps set
tied SO reasonably, as l trust and be
lieve 1t will be. MS to insure great per
manence-than to have further uncer-
tainty menacing the vast and variol
business interests of the United States.
Again, whatever action Congress may
take will be given fair opportunity
for trial before the people are called TO
pass Judgment upon ii. and this | con
slider n great essential to the rightful
and lasting settlement of the question.
In view of these considerations, I shall
deem it my duty as President to con-
vene Congress In extraordinary session
on Monday, the 18th day Of March,
1897,