Evening star., 1901-02-06
Men in Congress Considering Their
Personal Comfort.
PRESIDENTS POLITICAL FORESIGHT
Better That Difficult Questions Be
Settled Early,
L O O X n G y o I 8 o 4

The disfavor with which men in Congress
regard the suggestion of a special session
of Congress is inspired chiefly by the con-
sideration of their personal comfort.
An argument against extra sessions
which has in the past had considerable
force is that they operate injurously from
a political point of view upon the party or
administration responsible. This argument
is not now made seriously against a spe-
cial session of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
On the contrary, it is conceded by some of
the cleverest politicians of either party in
Congress that the President shows clear
political foresight in desiring the presence
of Congress at the beginning of his new
term to aid him in disposing, at the earll-
est date possible, of important questions
that have been pending for some time. 1t
is not seriously suggested that the admins
tration be placed at any disadvantage
in the eyes of the public through having
Congress assembled before the regular time
of meeting.
An Early Settlement Desirable.
The early settlement of perpleXing prob
lens will concededly be better for the ad-
ministration than keeping them open, drag
ging throughout the term, with all the ir-
ritations likely to be involved. With the
policy with reference to cur new possessions
definitely settled beyond diScuSSion-eSpe-
cially If the constitutional question involved
Pin the Porto Rican case is decided by the
Supreme Court in the meantime-the ad-
ministration will be left free to pursue the
policy looking to the material development
of the nation and greatly simplify the con-
gressional campaign two years hence, which
will determine the complexion of Congress
during the last two years of President Nc
KInleys term when it will be important in
the rounding out of the policy of the admin
istratiOn in its completeness that Congress
and the executive should continue In full
accord.
Delay May Make Confusion.
If action with reference to Cuba and the
Philippines. the construction of the Mic
aragua canal and measures for the devel-
opment Of commerce is delayed until .next
winter, close upon the next congressional
election, it Is likely to result in so much
confusion as to give the opposition an ad-
vantage in the campaign which it would
probably not have if the irritating ques-
tions were disposed of earlier and the pub
lie mind given time to settle down to an
understanding and acceptance of accom-
plished designs. 1t is suggested, too, that
by inviting Congress to share responsible
ity for the action that is to be TAKEN in
stead of relying entirely upon executive
authority, the President will disarm crit
icism of the sort that was common during
the leading men in Congress are credited
with a disposition to shrink from their
share in the responsibility for the settle
ment OF the pending questions, especially
with reference to Cuba, preferring to shoul-
der 1T all upon the President, whom they
would be ready enough to put the blame
upon II a mistake were made.
New Candidates in 1904.
There will be new candidates in the field
for the nomination for the presidency in
1904. President Mckinley will be out of the
| field, and events may bring about a con-
test between a candidate standing conspicu-
ousy for the policy of the retiring admin
| istration and a candidate standing for a
different policy. If Mr.. Reed for instance
| or some other such man were candidate
| before the convention, his candidacy would
probably be predicated upon disapproval of
some feature Of the policy under the Nc
Kinley administration. Some men in Con-
gress who feel uncertain what the future
may bring forth are suspected of desiring
to force all responsibility for delicate and
untrfed questions upon the President re-
naming themselves in an attitude which
will admit Of their being foremost in asso-
clating themselves with the success IL it
comes, or being solemnly critical If mis-
takes are made and public. sentiment Of
| Tended. This spirit appears to play a part
| in the disinclination in Congress to share
responsibility with the President in dealing
with Cuba.
A Wise Politician.
None who oppose the calling together of
Congress venture the declaration that de-
| lay Of action is desirable and some who
are most opposed to an extra session con-
| fess privately that the President shoYs
himself a wise politician in desiring early
action and division of responsibility with
Congress in dealing with Cuba.
|