Freeland tribune. (Freeland, Pa.) 1888-1921, 1897-03-11
constant for several years.
?
Reciprocity.


was given to our foreign trade in new and ad-
vantageous markets for our surplus agricul
tural and manufactured products. The briet
trial given this legislation amply justihes a
further experiment and additional discretion
airy power in the making of commercial trea
ties, the end in view always to be the opening
up of new markets for the products of our
country, by granting concessions to the prod
uots of other lands that we need and cannot
produce ourselves and which do not involve
any loss of labor to own people, but tend
to increase their employment.
The depression of the past four years has
fallen with especial severity upon the great
body of toilers of the country, and upon none
more than the holders of small farms. Agri-
culture has languished and labor suffered.
The revival of manufacturing will be relief
to both. No portion of our population is more
devoted to the institutions of free government
or more loyal in their support while none
bears more cheerfully or fully its proper share
in the maintenance of the government or is
better entitled to its wise and liberal care and
protection. Legislation helpful to producers
is beneficial to all. The depressed condition
of industry on the farm and in the mine and
factory has lessened the ability Of the people
to meet the demands upon them, and they
rightfully expect that not only n system of
revenue shall be established that will secure
the largest income with the least burden, but
that every means will be taken to decrease
Business conditions are not the most promis-
ing. 1t will take time to restore the prosper
ity of former years. If we cannot promptly
attain it, we can resolutely turn our faces in
that direction and aid its return by friendly
legislation. However troublesome the situa-
tion may appear, congress will not, am sure,
be found lacking in disposition or ability to
relieve it as far as legislation can do So The
restoration Of confidence and the revival Of
business which men of all parties so much de-
sire, depend more largely upon the prompt,
energetic and intelligent action of congress-
than upon any other single agency affecting
the situation.
President Mckinley refers briefly to the
lesson taught by the late election which,
he says is THAT the citizens of the United
States are both law respecting and law
abiding people, not easily swerved from
the path of patriotism and honor.
Our naturalization and immigration
laws" he says, 'should be further i'm
proved, to the constant promotion of
safer, n better and higher citizenship"
In referring to international commerce
the president says 'Iongress should give
prompt attention to tne restoration of our
American merchant marine, once the pride
of the seas in all the great ocean highways
of commerce"
Referring to our foreign relations, which
by inference covers tho Cuban question,
President Mckinley says:
1t has been the policy of the United States
since the foundation Of the government to cul
tvate relations of peace and amity with all
the nations of the world, and this accords with
my conception of our duty now. We have
cherished the policy of noninterference with
the affairs OF foreign governments wisely in
augurated by Washington, keeping ourselves
free from ENHANCEMENT either as allies foes
content to leave undisturbed with them the
settlement of their own domestic concerns. 1t
will be our aim to pursue firm and dignifed
foreign policy. which shall be Just, impartial,
ever watchful of our national honor and al
ways insisting upon the enforcement of the
lawful rights Of American citizens every
where.
Referring to arbitration, the president
says Peace is preferable to war in al
most every contingency. Arbitration is
the true method of settlement of interna-
tional as well as local or individual differ
ences' -
He urges the early action of the senate
on the pending Anglo American arbitra-
tion treaty, not merely as a matter of pol
icy, but as duty to mankind.
Extra Session of Congress.
1t has been the uniform practice of each
venng of congress in extraordinary session. 1t
is an example which, under ordinary circum-
stances and In the absence of public neces-
sity, is to be commended but a failure to con-
vene the representatives of the people in con-
gress in extra session when it involves neglect
Of public duty places the responsibility of
such neglect upon the executive himself. The
condition of the public treasury, as has been
indicated, demands the immediate considera.
tion of congress 1t alone has the power to
provide revenues for the government. Not to
convene 1t under such circumstances l
view in no othVr sense than the neglect of
plain duty. do not sympathize with the SEN
timent that congress in session is dangerous to
our business interests. Its members are the
agents of the people, and their presence at the
seat of government in the execution of SOW
ereign will should not operate injury,
but as u benefit.
There could be no better time to put the gov
ernment upon sound financial and economic
basis than now. The people have only recent
ly voted that this should be done, and nothing
is more binding upon the agents of their will
than the obligation of immediate action. 1t
has always seemed to me that the postpone
ment of the meetings of congress until more
than year after it has been chosen deprived
congress too often of the inspiration of the
popular Will, and the country of the corre-
spending benefits. 1t is evident, therefore, that
to postpone 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 ques-
tlon OF tariff revision was postponed until the
regular session of congress. We are nearly two
years from a congressional election, and poll
tics cannot SO greatly distract us as if such
contest was Immediately pending, We can APP
proach the problem calmly and patriotioally,
without fearing its effect upon an early cleo
tion. Our fellow citizens who may disagree