The age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1897-1902, 1899-02-18
STILL TALKING OF
EXTRA SESSION
Democrats DiSClaim Intention Of Forcing
One But Are PilibuSterinS.
THE PRESIDENT WANTS ONE
The Cry Of a To Billion Dollar Congress
Has Been Raised.
SPEAKER REED IS DOING THIS.
Bailey Will Be.Leader of Minority In
Next Congress-Ba Will Get
Complimentary Vote Showing
His Strength in the Body.

his OIrouRLu I'D Tue DOQys
Washington, February I7.--(Specal.)- lit Is
toss up whistler there will be an extra
session Of congress or not While disclaini-
irg the intention to force one, the demo-
Gratis will filibuster against the army reor-
ganization bill and refuse to be unneces-
sarily hurried over the appropriation meas
ures. The administration, too, while ex-
pressing a wish to do all in its power to
avoid an extra session, is, nevertheless,
forcing action in congress which will play
directly into the hands of those who openly
desire an extra session. AS stated in these
dispatches Saturday, the president would
rather call an extra session ito pass appro-
priation bills and to enact other legisla-
ton" than to call one expressly for the
purpose of increasing the regular army.
That is why the republicans will report the
reorganization bill and push it to the detri-
ment of the appropriation bills.
1t is almost certain that the reorganiza-
ton bill cannot get through congress at
this session. If the republicans would make
up their minds TO this fact and content
themselves to utilize the volunteer forces
until next December, then there would be
no trouble about passing the appropriation
bills and avoiding an extra session. The
republicans, through Senator Allison, the
chairman of the appropriation of the appro-
priation committee, have announced that
they will try to rush the appropriation bills
through. They could possibly do this If the
democrats were in mind to help them out
of their dilemma But the fact is the DEM
ocrats believe there should be an extra SEES
sion and large portion of the republicans
want one.
Mckinley Does Not Object
The administration does not object to
having one if it can be made to appear that
ono was forced on it, President Mckinley
likes the advice of congress and he wants
likes the advice of congress and h wants
its approval as events unfold themselves.
The administration doesn't care to face the
future problems alone. 1t can get the sem
timent largely through congress and not
stray very far away from public opinion.
The president himself is very close to his
party in both branches of congress. He even
consults with the democrats, and, while not
seeking their approval exactly, prevents
them through personal contact from grow
ing very hostile. 1t speaks well for Presi-
dent Mckinley that, during this entire de-
bate there have been no reflections upon
him personally from the opposition. The
only criticism of a personal nature came
from Mr. johnson, of Indiana, member
of the presidents own party. If congress
is away from here, the opposition can do
much to array the people against the policy
of the administration. Away from the gem
ial personality of the president himself the
policy of the party become crimes, and they
work themselves into heated hostility tow
ard him. The president is a good handler
of men. There are very few men whom he
cannot placate, or at least appease. He
it.
Even when he has fight on he likes to
fight at close range for then he can accu-
rately measure his opponents strength and
Judge of his power of HARM Then with
congress in session he has others to fight
his battles. Altogether an extra session of
congress is not displeasing to the president,
not at this crisis at any rate. He could
avoid one if he desired to do SO. But he
has thrown down the gauntlet through his
secretary of war. Pass the reorganization
bill or there will be an extra session. That
is the threat. 1t may be bluff, there is no
telling, but at the present time 1t does not
seem like one. Then there are so many
other interests clamoring for an extra ses-
sion-those who want immediate legisla-
ton on the Nicaraguan canal bill. Mr.
Hanna and Elkins think that an extra ses-
sion would pay for itself in the early pas
sage of their ship subsidy bill. Now that
the republicans are committed to currency
reform the currency reformers are inter-
ested in having an extra session.
Democrats VIII Not Force 1t
The democrats say they will not force an
extra session but they believe one should
be called in order that the president might
have the aid of congress in settling the
questions arising out of this war. They
are eager to continue the fight against ex-
pansion. They are ready to draw the line
sharply on the subject There are a hun
dred and one measures hammering at the
doors of congress-blls that have been
hanging in mid-air for nearly half a cen
fury are hoping for action now. Every
lobbyist thinks he sees little light ahead
for his pet theme. The trouble in the next
congress is not to pass bills but to pre-
vent the passage of any. There is really
danger of recklessness. There always is at
the end of such period as this country
has gone through.
Speaker Reed has hauled up the danger
signal. Chairman Cannon is the congress
sional dog; he has put watch on the
treasury. The prediction that there may
be another bond issue has called halt for
a moment. The bankers of New York
don't want one. Should one be found to be
necessary before the currency bill passes
1t will be almost hopeless to get 1t through
The New York money men are therefore.
protesting against extravaganza.
Two Billion Dollar Congress
The cry of two billion dollar congress
is being raised. but Speaker Reed no sooner
raised it than there were apologlsts from
every quarter in the republican party for
one. Treasury officials tried to undo the
harm of Speaker Reeds warning by declar-
ing that Mr.. Cannon exaggerated the mat
ter. Republican senators, such as Mr.
Hanna and Mr.. Elkins. began to say that