New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-11-14
SESSION WITHOUT DISTURBANCE.

The coming short session Of Congress is one
in which a great deal Of difficult ana hlghl!
responsible work will claim attention. III Is
not unlikely that the time of the Senate may
be much occupied in consideration OF terms oi
peace and In the House some action respect
ing the government of new territory seems
unavoidable even If nothing more is attempt
ed than TO provide temporary plan or opera
ton The suggestion has been made that
commission should be created TO investigate
the general question and 10 report hiore
durable form of government ana adjustment
of relations than Congress could well DE eN-
pccted to mature at short session. In spi'e
of some obvious objections the plan IS not uii-
likely to be adopted. but even then some TEN
porary provisions of law may be fonhd need
full The appropriation bills and other routine
work usually occupy most OF the time III an!
short session. and when new business result
ing from the war is added it may be antic'-
mated that Congress will have little time to
spare.
Most of the especial legislation which has
been earnestly urged regarding the currency
and other important matters VIII evidently
have to wait. Respecting all phases OF the
money question. il is enough to observe that
the present division of the Senate makes II iln-
possible to expect any action which sound
money men of either party would consider
desirable If it is entirely useless to attempt
ANYTHING worth doing the time OF Congress
should not be wasted at all in efforts or dis
cussions that are necessarily futile the 1act
that Senate of different character will come IN
on March 4. and may possibly be compelled 10
meet in extra session. gives an added reason
for deferrlng all effort to act on the money
question during the short session
Wise action on questions of tariff and rev
enue will hardly be possible until it has hrst
been determined what new territory Is TO De
added to the possessions of the United States
and in what relations with the States IN
revenue which can be expected from any en-
actments, those now in force. or any others'
will depend greatly on the relations TO DE es-
tablished between the acquired deI,ehdehcIeS
and the Union as TO interchange or pro1uctS
and taxation of traffic But II Is not probable
that questions Of such far-reaching Importance
will be among those finally determined at the
short session. and il would logically follow that
any important change of tariff or revenue law
would also have to wait Perhaps the exist
ing law will WELD more revenue than VIII be
found necessary in times of peace. but II SO
no great injury could be done by accommodating
something TO apply TO reduction of the debt
added by the war and yet earlier by President
Cleveland's unhappy Administration.
1t is easy to see that great wisdom, self
restraint and careful leadership Will be re-
CURED in selecting the topics which Congress
can take up with prospect of good results and
IN putting resolutely aside those which cannot
be judicously considered at the coming SEES
sion The fine leadership Of Speaker Reed and
the excellent discipline usually shown by his
party associates In the House may be trusted
to prevent mischief or much waste Of time in
that body. but there IS unfortunately not much
ground for hopefulness regarding the Senate
rs now constituted Hence It is important for
the business interests Of the country TO realize
thoroughly that there is absolutely no chance
Of any disturbing or mschicvous action by Con
grcss during the coming session on the money
question the tariff. the taxes or other matters
which affect business calculations. The coun-
try can 20 about its productive industry and
It's legitimate interchange Of products without
any apprehension.