The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1899-02-14
EXTRA SESSION ISSUE.
REPUBLICANS IN THE HOUSE AND
SENATE AFRAID TO MEET
1T FAIRLY
MORE MONEY is NECESSARY
III Congress Is Called Together After
March 4, as Now Seems Likely,
There VIII He n Bill to Provide
Rests Upon the Fate of the Army
Hill.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 12-Republic-
an leaders in both houses Of congress
| are not agreed as to the policy to be
| followed during the remainder Of the
present session. Most of them believe
an extra session of the Fifty-siXth
congress is inevitable and they will try
to place the blame for it upon the
Democrats. On this point they are
unanimous, but they differ as to the
| method of fixing that responsibility.
Senator Allison wants to pass the ap-
preparation bills, leaving nothing to be
considered at the extra session but
the army reorganization bill.
President Mckinley thinks it would
have bad effect to convene congress
| in extra session solely for the pur-
pose of increasing the standing army
to 100000 men. He thinks it would be
placing in the hands of the Democrats
a weapon which could be used with eff
fectiveness against the Republican
party next year, especially in the labor
centers. AS he understands the stu
alton. the labor unions are opposed to
the whole scheme of expansion and the
increased military establishment which
is its necessary accompaniment
PRESIDENTS POLICY.
The president thinks it would be
better policy to bring the army reor-
ganization bill to the front and let the
appropriation bills wait. If the Demo-
Gratis succeed in preventing the pas
sage of the army bill, it follows that
none of the appropriation bills will be-
come a law. He can consequently an
nounce in his proclamation converting
the F'ifty-siXth congress soon after
March 4 that an extra session was
made necessary by the failure of the
outgoing congress to provide for the
expenditures of the government in it's
various departments.
In suggesting such a policy Mr.. Nc
Kinley again shows his hand as a
politician, but he can hardly believe
that the people will be deceived by
such tactics.
The Democrats will make it plain at
every opportunity during the remain
der of the session that they are not
opposed to the passage of approprla-
ton bills. If the army bill is called
up. Senator German or Senator Jones
will at once move to displace 1t for
the purpose of considering one of the
appropriation bills. The Republicans,
in order to carry out their programme,
will have to vote against this motion,
and in this way it will become mani
fest that they are determined above
all things to have a standing army OF
600. They will not be able to make
any political capital out of the failure
of the appropriation bi Is.
ADDED TAXATION.
As the treasury will be practically
depleted at the end Of this fiscal year
the Republicans will, in the probable
event of All extra session. force the
passage of an additional taxlevying
measure to meet the growing de-
ficiency.
The rev revenue measure will be
along the lines of direct taxation. Taxes
will be increased in many items and
the free list greatly reduced. There will
| be no revision of the tariff The Ding
ley law will stand as 1t is. Customs
duties and import levys will not be
changed.
Serious considera ton is being given
to the proposition to tax railroad tick
cts upon the lines suggested when the
Dingley bill was framed. 1t has been
Established by the interstate commerce
commission. that this can be done with
out increasing the cost of tranSporta-
ton.
1t is proposed to reduce the tax on
spirituoUs liquors to 80 cents per gal
lon, the advocates of the reduction eSti-
mating great annual increased reven-
yes.
a tax is to be levied on all spurious
food products, where not taxed and
to increase the present tax where it is
shown that the product will stand it,
| In this category are oleomargarine
filled cheese, mixed -four and other pro-
ducts, which, while adulterated, are
sold as pure. yielding enormous profits
The war revenue taxes are to be re-
tanned and items III it's schedule are
to be increased.