The San Francisco call., 1901-12-07
CONGRESS AND IT'S WORK

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/ pected to get to work before the holidays
- there has been notable activity in getting
ready for it. Upon many important subjects, such
the ishnian canal Chinese restriction and the Philip
pine tariff bills have been already introduced These
will be put into shape by the committees presumably
without much delay and will be ready to be taken up
at any time Consequently it is hardly fair say that
no work will be done before Christmas, for good
preparation counts as work as we'll as does accom-
plishment
One of the notable features of this Congress is the
confidence with which the public waits its action
AT the time OF the assembling of new Congress for
many year past there has been always more less
doubt as tc what action it would take many meas
ures of grave public concern. 1t can be readily
called with what anxiety the business world waited
to learn what to be done with the tariff the
rency and the situation in Cuba. Even when the pre-
cedlng Congress met and when there longer
any question Of the financial or the fiscal system of
the nation at stake there was uncertainty concerning
cur trade relations with Porto Rico and the Philip
pines. No such anxiety is felt 1t is everywhere
taken as well assured that the reciprocity treaties will
be rejected by the Senate the Philippine tariff will be
made to correspond with the needs of American in
dustry, isthmian canal bill will be enacted and the
exclusion of Chinese will be adopted as permanent
policy of the country.
By reason of the confidence felt by the country as
to the action of Congress all these issues which
are uppermost in the public mind it would that
the proceedings of the session would be dull and un-
interesting. Where given decision upon any issue
is foregone conclusion people not likely pay
much attention to the formal proceedings that lead
up to it, Therefore if this Congress had nothing
else to deal with than the subjects which have been
much discussed it would probably interest few
haDD hat will
before Congress during the session several measures
of importance which as yet have attracted much
of popular attention, and out of of them there
may arise discussions which will become less
exciting to the country as whole
1t is to be borne in mind, moreover that while the
Republicans will be content to let well enough alone,
and would be satisfied with quiet and uneventful
session, the Democrats will do their uttermost to
force fight on some question that will give them
upon which to appeal to the people in the Con-
gressona elections next fall. At present that party
has no national policy; it has not even an issue 1t
is therefore up to the Democratic leaders in Congress
to do something this winter that will give rise to
party division and party fight.
1t is not clear what course will be pursued in the
search for the needed issue Such attempts as were
made in the Democratic to outline a policy
for the session had other effect than to cause dis
sensions in the ITSELF and in the end all reso-
lutions Of the kind were referred to a committee.
The prospects of the party, therefore, bright
1t probable that by the end of the session they
may emerge without having formed single issue
upon which they make united fight in the fall
campaign.
In this condition Of affairs there is nothing to be
regretted We now in the full food of prosperity,
and two years of business unfretted by political dis
turbances will be beneficial to ALL The failure of the
Democrats to find issue is not due to their stupid
ity alone, for matter of fact there is hardly any
issue to find The affairs of the republic are we'll ad-
minstered, and where legislation needed as in re-
gard to Chinese immigration or the isthmian canal,
no party divisions possible. A quiet session,
therefore, would be acceptable the whole country