The River Falls times. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1894-1933, 1897-03-09

mediate consideration of congress. It
alone has the power to provide revenues
for the government. Not to convene it
Under such circumstances can view in
no ether sense than the neglect OF a plain
duty. I do not sympathize with the SEN
timent that congress in session is danger
Gus to our general business il terests. Its
members are the agents of the people,
and their presence at the seat of govern
ment in the execution of the sovereign
will, should not operate as an injury but
a benefit. There could be no better time
to put the government upon sound
financial and economic basis than now.
The people have only recently voted that
that 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
poStpOnemeut of the meeting of congress
until more than a year after 1T has Deen
chosen deprives congress too often of the
inspiration of the popular will and the
country of the corresponding benefits. 1t
is evident, therefore, that to postpone
action in the presence of so great ueces-
sity would be unwise on the part of the
executive, because unjust to the interests
of the people. Our actions now will be
freezer from mere partisan consideration
than if the question of tariff revision was
postponed until the regular session of
cong ress We are nearly two years from
q congressional elect-On, ana politics cam
not so greatly distract us as if such con-
test was Immediately pending. We can
approach the problem calmly and patri-
otically without fearing it's effect upon an
early election. Our fellow citizens who
disagree with us upon the character of
this legislation prefer to have the guess
ton settled now, and perhaps settled so
reasonably as to insure great permanence.
Again, whatever action congress may
take will be given a fair opportunity for
trial before The people are called to pass
Judgment upon it, and this I consider
great essential to tie rightful and lasting
settlement of the question.
March Is the Date.
In view of these considerations I shall
deem it my duty, president, to convene
congress in extra ordinary session on
Monday, March 10, 1897.
In conclusion, 1 congratulate the coun-
try upon the fraternal spirit of the people
and the manifestation of good will every
where so apparent The recent election
not only most fortunately demonstrated
the obIiteration of sectional lines, but to
some extent also the prejudices which
for years HAYES distracted our councils
and marred our true greatness as a ma
ton The triumph of the people, whose
verdict is carried into effect to-day, is
not the triumph of one section, nor wholly
of one party, but of all sections and all
the people. The North and South no
longer divide on the old lines but upon
surely every lover of the country can
find cause for true felicitation. Let us
rejoice in and cultivate this spirit 1t
will be my constant aim to do nothing,
and permit nothing to be DONE that will
arrest or disturb this growing sentiment
of unity and cooperation, this revival of
esteem and utilization which now ami
mates so many thousands in both the old
and the antagonistic sections, but l shall
cheerfully do everything possible to pro-
mote and increase it.
Let me again repeat the words of the
oath administered by the chief justice,
which, in their respective spheres so far
as applicable, 1 would have all my ,oun-
trymen observe:
81 will faithfully execute the Office of
president of the United States and will,
to the best of my ability, preserve, pro-
tect and defend the constitution of the
United States.''
This is the obligation I have reverently
taken before the Lord most high. To
keep it will be my single purpose; my
constant prayer-and L shall confidently
rely upon the forbearance and assistance
of all the people in the discharge of my
solemn responsibilities.