New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-03-01
ECONOMTZE TIME,

Congress has too much to do. Questions OF
the greatest Importance crowd forward for set
tlement in such number that 1t is simply i'm
possible for Congress TO treat them all thor
oughy and satisfactorily without prolongation
of the session which would be undesirable
Hasty and Ill considered action on questions
which reach far into the future will with
reason be opposed not only by the mere con-
servatives, whose nature is to do everything
with caution but by the genuine progressives
who get forward far and fast because they
take no step which has to be taken over or
taken back. 1t will not do for this Congress to
involve half the world in strife or litigation be-
cause it binds the country to mistaken course
regarding the new possessions. A ship canal
across the isthmus is needed greatly but a
years delay would be better than the loss Of
two years or more by false start Monetary
problems must be met, and trust problems, and
others which certain important elements in the
National life consider the highest and most
urgent. But February is near It's end, and the
labors and exciements of n Presidential cam
paign will soon begin. Whether men will or no.
they must perforce face the fact that some
highly desirable things will have to remain I'M
done.
For that reason it is necessary to begin at
once to prepare Congress and public opinion for
a judicious selection of the matters to be
treated. For instance, details of legislation
establishing government in the various new
possessions cannot be considered with advan-
tage until decision by the court Of last resort
has been obtained regarding the constitutional
power of Congress in the matter. The Puerto
Rcan bill now pending was evidently intended
to bring about such n decision with the least
possible delay 1t has been repeatedly stated
h1-t -hr,o horl foiI IN EUny fha min
OF the President on the subject that he is most
anxious TO have the pending bill passed with
out needless delay, and expressly for the reason
that it will bring distinctly before the courts
the question upon which all future legislation
respecting new possessions must depend II the
court uphods the position taken by the House
OF Representatives and the President that Con-
gress has full power to make law for such pos
sessions without regard to the provisions OF
the Constitution which extend 10 all places
within the United States according TO the in
tent and meaning Of that supreme law, then
any minor question whether this or that duty
should he raised or removed can hereafter be
settled without difficulty and with safety.
The selection of measures which will clear
the way for others logically involves the post
poncmcnt Of those others until the way has
been cleared An act such as empowered Presi-
dent jefferson in dealing with property pur
chased would not only meet all necessities
garilng the new possessions for n time, but
would avoid the waste OF weeks III prolonged
debate respecting each separate part of the new
possessions on the constitutional question which
the court only can permanently settle. A some
what similar method ~ proposed for Treatment
OF the great number of proposals respecting the
trusts and industrial combinations BEFORE any
thing can be settled that it shall stay settled
there must be certainty respecting the con-
That the question is not now an altogether
simple one in the judgment of the courts must
be Inferred from decisions already rendered.
The ONLY authority by which such question
can be settled finally Is that OF the people by
constitutional amendment The submission OF
such an amendment TO fix the power of Con-
gress in dealing with industrial corporations
would not only be n needful clearing OF the
way for legislation that may stand. but would
ut the same time logically set aside for future
consideration large number OF proposals upon
which, If taken up at al. Congress would
necessarily spend much OF It's remaining time
Moreover such course would bring before the
Deople OF all the States definite information rs
binatlons In question, and would submit d.
rectly to them the Issue whether the control OF
srch corporations shall he placed with the Ma
tonal Government.