The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-24
AN EXTRA SESSION.

But a few more days remain to this ses-
sion of congress. Little has been done
of an affirmative nature, though much
has been accomplished by preventing the
passage of obnoxious bills. Hanna
shipping subsidy scheme has been so
thoroughly aired that it can never be
passed. The oleomargarine bill has re-
eeived such drubbing and it's contemptt-
BILE nature has been so clearly exposed
that he who votes for it at a future ses-
sion will have to possess a conscience
Of rubber and cheek of brass.
An extra session is inevitable, not on
account of the failure to pass any meas
ures before this congress, but to meet ana
dispose of new questions that have arisen
within the last few months.
The Cuban situation is critical. The
constitution has been finished and sign
ed by the members of the convention
and will in few days be presented to
congress for approval. 1t does not con-
tain the provisions desired by the ad-
nlinistration and will probably become the
subject of a wrangle in congress. In the
ordinary course of events It cannot be
disposed Of this term. Then there is
the matter of Philippine government
which we have always with us. Congress
sional action may be demanded any day
to adjust our relations to those posses
siOns. The supreme court has not yet
informed the administration where it is
at" and when it does there may be such
an overturning of policies that immedi-
ate congressional action viii be demand
ed
Equally important, although not men
toned as cause for an extra session,
is the question of our trade relations
with the nations of Europe. The Ding
ley tariff law and the aggressive action
of the trusts in forcing their products
upon the foreign markets at rpinously low
rates, has at last aroused the spirit of
retaliation among the nations of CONT
mental Europe.
Uncle Sam is to be given taste of his
own medicine, and the dose promises to
be not only big, but particularly nause-
ating. Our increasing volume of exports
is about to be cut off, unless congress
lowers the tariff wall that was erected
by the old school economists. This condi-
ton in which we find ourselves might
have been partially avoided had the SEN
ate performed its duty regarding the re-
ciprocal treaties negotiated by the ad-
ministration. It is too late now: moth
ing but substantial reduction of the
tariff schedule will preserve our advan-
tage in foreign markets.
The tariff question which was ignored
in the late presidential campaign was
in fact the most vital issue of the times;
the truth of which statement the COM
merciaI situation now demonstrates.
The Republican party while maintain
ing the integrity of its policy of protec-
ton must recognize the mutation of in
dustrial and commercial conditions and
modify the theory to meet the changes.
A tariff theory and a tariff schedule are
two distinct things. The theory may be
maintained, but the schedule must be
modified if commercial prosperity is to
be secured.
An extra session is assured. 1t win
be of great expense to the country, but
that will be money well invested If con-
gress in the exercise of horse sense re-
vises the present tariff laws by lowering
the tariff wall one-half and by removing
it entirely in the case of trust-mad,
goods