The daily morning journal and courier. [volume] (New Haven, Conn.) 1894-1907, 1897-03-05
MORNING JOURNAL COURIER, FRIDAY

tation treaty Of arbitration between
the United States and Great Britain
was signed at Washington and trans
mitted to the senate for it's ratification
in January last, Since this treaty is
clearly the result of our foreign policy
throughout our entire national history
the adjustment of difficulties by judi
cial methods rather than force of arms
and since it presents to the world the
glorious example Of reason and peace,
not passion and war, controlling the re-
lations between two of the greatest ma
tions of the world, an example certain
to be followed by others, respectfully
urge the early action of the senate
thereon, not merely as matter of pol
icy, but as a duty to mankind. The
importance and moral influence of the
ratification of such treaty can hardly
be over-estimated in the cause of adj
vancing civilization. 1t may we'll en-
gage the best thought of the statesmen
and people of every country and can
not but consider it fortunate that it
was reserved to the United States to
have the leadership in so grand a work.
! 1t has been the uniform practice of
each president to avoid, as far as pos
sible, the converting of congress in eX-
traordinary session. 1t is an example
which, under ordinary circumstances
and in the absence of public necessi-
ty is to be commended. But failure
to convene the representatives of the
people in congress 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 imme-
date consideration of congress-
1T has alone the power to provide rev.
enues for the government. Not to
| convene under the circumstances I can
view in no other sense than the neglect
of a plain duty.
| do not sympathize with the senti-
ment that congress in session is dan
| gerous to our general business inter
ests. Its members are the agents of
the people, and their presence at the
seat of government in the execution Of
| the sovereign will should not operate
as an injury but benefit There could
| be no better time to put the govern
ment upon a sound financial and eco
| nomic 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 ac-
ton. 1t has always seemed to me that
| the postponement of the meeting of
| congress until more than a year after
| it has been chosen deprives congress
| too often of the inspiration of the pop
ular will and the country of the CORES
pording benefits 1t is evident, there
, fore, 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 question of tariff revision was
postponed untilrthe regular session OF
| congress, We are nearly two years
| from congressional election and poll
! tics cannot so greatly distract us as If
| such contest was Immediately pending
/ We cannot approach the problem
calmly and periodically without fear
! ing its effects upon an early election
! Our fellow citizens who may disagree
with us upon the character of this leg
| islation prefer to have the question set
| tied now even against their precon-
| ceived views and, perhaps, settled sc
/ reasonably and I trust and believe il
will be as to insure great permanence-
| than to have uncertainty menacing the
vast and varied business interests OF
| the United States. Again whatever ac-
| tion congress may take will be given a
fair opportunity for trial before the
people are called to pass judgment
| upon it, and this 7 consider a great es-
! sential to the rightful and lasting set
tlement of the question. In view OF
these considerations I shall deem it my
in extraordinary session on Monday
| the 18th day of March, 1897.
/ Ir conclusion I congratulate the
| country upon the fraternal spirit of the
people and the manifestations of good
! will everywhere so apparent. The re-
| cent election not only most fortunately
demonstrated the obliteration of sec
ticnal or geographical lines, but tc
some extent also the prejudices which
for years have 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 MOI
wholly of one party, but of all sections
and all the people. The north and the
south no longer divide on the old lines
but upon principles and policies; and
| in this fact surely every lover of the
country can find cause for true felicia
ton. Let US rejoice in and cultivate