Daily capital journal. (Salem, Or.) 1896-1899, 1897-03-05

an example certain N % lYii'"eN =
others, / respectfully urge the cary
| action OF the senate thereon, not me-
rely as a matter II policy. but as adut!
20 mankind. The importance ana
moral influence o. the ratification OF
such a treaty can hardly Be oYerestlm-
ated in the causeof advancing civil
zatiou. 1t may well engage the Oess
thought Of statesmen, and people oi
every country cannot but consider u
fortunate that it was reserved for the
United States to take the leadership
in.sO grand a work.
EXTRA SESSION or CONGRESS.
"It has been the uniform practice
Of each president 10 avoid as far as
possible the converting OF congress 10
extra session. It is an example when
under ordinary circumstances o N
tile absence Of public necessity, Is not
to be commended. but q failure to con-
Yene the representatives Of the Peo-
pie ia extra session when it involves
a neglect Of public duty places me
responsibility Of such neglect upon
the executive.
CIVIL SERVICE REFORM.
Reforms ia the civil service
go on, but the change should be real
and genuine, not pe%rfunctory OF
prompted by a zeal 10 benalf OF any
party, simply because il happens to De
IN power. AS a member OF congress l
voted and spoke in favor Of the pres
ent law. and l shall attempt its en-
fOrcement ia the spirit in which IL
was enacted. The purpose in view
was to secure the most efficient ser
vice OF the best men who would ac-
cept appointment under the govern
ment, retaining faithful and devoted
persons in office, but shielding none
under the authority Of any rule OF
custom VINO are inefficient, incOmpe-
tent or unworthy. The best interests
Of the country demand this and the
people heartily approve the law Wher'
ever aud whichever it has been thus
administered.
"The condition Of the public treas
ury, as has been indicated, demands
the immediate consideration OF con-
gress. It.alone has the power TO pro-
vide revenue for the government. Not
to convene IL under such circum-
stances, / can view in no other sense
than the neglect OF duty. | do not
sympathize with the sentime1t that
congress in session is dangerous to our
general business interests. Its mem
bers are the agents OF the people, and
their presence at the seat Of govern
ment ia the execution of sovereign
will should rot operate as an injury,
but benefit. There could be no bet
ter time TO put the government on a
sound financial and economic basis
than now The people have only re-
Gently voted that this should be done,
and nothing is 0 Sbinding upon
the agents Of their will than i'm.
mediate actions. 1t has always
seemed to me that the postponed
meeting OF congress until more thar
a year after it has been chosen
deprives congress too often Of the in,
spiratiOn OF the popular will and the
country Of the corresponding benefits
at is evident, however, that to postpon,
action in the presence Of so great q necessity
would be unwise on the part Of the presen
executive, because unjust to the interests o
the people. Our action now will be free
from mere partisan consideration than il tn,
question OF tariff revision was postponed unit
the regular session of congress. We ar
nearly two years rom a congressional elec
ton, and politics cannot SO greatly dlstTac
usnas il such a contest was immediate, y pend
ing. We can approach the problem calml.
and patristieally without fear Of its efec
upon an early election. Our fellow-citizen
who may disagree with US upon the eharac
ter Of this legislation prefer to have the ques
ton settled now, even against Preconceive,
views-And perhaps settled so reasonably, a
| trust and believe it will be, as to insur
great recommendation TO have further un
certainty menaeing the vast and varied bust
ness interests Of the United States.
Again, whatever action congress ma,
take will be given a fair opportunity for tria
before the people are called to pass judgmen
upon it, and this l consider a great e~ssentia
to rightful and lasting settlement Of the ques
ton. In view OF these considerations ! shal
deem it my duty IS president to convene con
gress in sKtr sordinATy session on Monday, tn
18th day Of March. 1897.
CONCLUDING WORDS,
''In conclusion l congratulate the eountr
upon the fraternal spirit Of the people, an
the manifestation Of good will everywhere S
apparent, The recent election not only mos
fortunately demonstrated the Obliteration c
sectional or geographic lines, but to some en-
tent also the pTejudices which for years hAv
distracted our councils and maued our tru
greatness as a nation.
"The triumph Of the people, whose verdiC
IS carried into effect today Is not the trump