The times., 1897-08-19

we WI HOb iilbi oppfopAiNAtis ISSstA1e~
and which, perhaps, ought to be nailed, in
the interest Of the eternal verities. The
article begins as follows:
Notwithstanding the eXasperating delays
and the five months, mostly wasted, spent
Oh piece OF public business which every
pracucaI man VIII say might have been
finished, under proper conditions, IN two
months with all the additions To the
sum of human knowledge which We now
have, the country has yet great reason
To congratulate itself upon what has been,
upon the whole, o happy and unexpected
deliyerance.
The President, because the urgency was
great, immediately upon assuming office
summoned bOtn houses OF Congress TO meet
In extraordinary session.
The purpose, and the sole purpose, or
the summons was To enable the legislative
Drancb or the Government To pronounce
Its Judgment upon a revenue bill which,
from the nature OF the case, had TO be
Considered.
All cILiZens, without distinction or party,
desired aclIod. Ihey desired also prompt
action because the question had 10 be set
tied before anything else could be set
tied, and every moment or time spent IN
settling it was costly TO every ci Jizen OF the
republic, and very costly TO the country as
a Whole.
The object or the bill TO he considered was
twofoid There was to be protection to
American Industry and a revenue W as to be
raised adequate TO our needs A deficient
revenue had wrought sad havoc among all
our people. IL has shaken the credit of the
treasury and the confidence OF the world.
When the foregoing is placed in juxta.
position with the bare truth, the reader
will have no difficulty in understanding
the purpose of Mr.. Reeds contribution
to the political literature OF the day.
When, on the 4th of March last, Mr.
Mckinley took the office Of President,
and his friend and creator, Mr.. Hanna,
assumed the actual powers OF that high
office, the Republican party stood morally
committed t. the prosecution of the issue
upon which it had been able to purchase
question of the money standard and
governmental financial policy. But, even
! at that early day, the new Administr alton
knew that sober second thought had led
the country more generally than ever
before To condemn and oppose the single
gold standard, tn faSten which upon the
fought with cash, conspiracy, and coer
cion. AS a consequence of this gecogni-
tion, the Hanna Administration proceeded
to ignore the issue of the campaign. because
il was aware that any further movement,
at that time, in the direction of gold con-
traction, would be defeated, and to revive
another question: which had not heen at
issue.
Accordingly, the tariff agitation was dis
cntombed. and an extraordinary session OF
the Congress decreed to legislate upon it,
Mr. Reed would have us believe him when
ne states that "all citizens, without dis
tinction OF party, desired action" in this
matter This is true only to the extent
that the revenues of the Government had
suffered severely, as d result of national
traction, and some action was necessary
TO make provision for a serious Treasury
deficit, which, however, would not have
been serious, but for the extra legal
action OF the authorities in binding the
Government to gold payments, without
mandate OF law and in defiance of sound
eoonouic principles.
1t was conceded, even by Republican au-
thorities, that short, strictly revenue
measure. revising the Wilson bill in five
or six at mast of its items, amply would
have rlet the requirements of the Govern
ment; and we may dismiss Mr.. Reed s
point Of necessity and public anxiety for a
Republican protective tariff measure as
an ex post facto partisan piea, by no means
water tight, or in any wise convincing.
The real need. such as it was. for a
protective tariff, rested upon the clamor
of certain obnoxious trusts and monopolies.
which had contributed the greater part of
$4,000 eco to the Hanna campaign fund
for a measure under the operations OF which
that money would be recouped with
the addition ottwo or three hundred millions
annually, al a. the expense and detrinent
OF the American people.
The extra session had no other pur-
pose than that of satisf ying these de-
n4ands of campaign creditors, and the
tariff Dill enacted has resulted, and cal
result, in nothing else. 1t is not rev
enue measure; it was not intended TO be
In some small and grudging ways pro
lection" was granted to a few minor loca
interests, as the purchase price of necessary
/ in, ba fa ffat1tad Inv
who, in casting them, proved false tt
their faith and duty and acted treason
ably toward the mass of their fellow
citizens.
Mr.. Reed emphasizes the fact that the
session was convened for one purpose only
and the Inference he would have Us draw
is, that, therefore. he was Justified il
suppressing the House OF Representatives
and in using the power of his office a
Speaker to prevent legislation on any sub
jcct not desired by the Administration
He admits, however. that, in a strictl.
Constitutional sense, the House had tn
right to proceed with the nation business
He writes:
OF course, while the President could cal
US together for a special purpose, he couit
not limit our action. Once In session W,
we've at liberty TO do whatever we dee met
imperative for the good OF the counUr y
| But we were con nfrontsd by one very simpl
fact. We might discuss all the question
of the hour, but we could progress no
one step.
Legislation was impossible. The tw
Houses were radically opposed Nobod
can name single public question on whic