The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1902-12-05
Congress and the rlessage.


Congress convened on Monday at Wash
inpton and will end OH March d.. With
thirteen weeks before adjournment it
would seem much in the way of legis-
1ation might be accomplished by this
august body, but with two weeks for the
Christmas holidays and adjournments
from time to time for numerous other
holidays, it will be readily seen that it is
likely to be very short" session in
point of legislative enactment as,well as
actual days of convention. Nothing of
much Importance, possibly, except num-
erous necessary appropriation bills and
the like will be passed at this closing ses-
sion of the Fifty-seventh Congress.
The message, which has been awaited
with expectancy, was given to the public
on Tuesday and was read with feel
ing of disappointment from its lack of
recommendations, the whole tone of the
paper seeming to indicate that little leg
islation out of the routine sort can be
accomplished during the session. The
trusts, tariff revision, currency, capital
and labor are some of the important sub
jects touched upon by the President and
the general tenor of the message may be
seen from the following extracts, embrac-
ing some ofthe salient points:
Trusts and the Tariff believe that
monopolies, unjust discrimination, which
prevent or cripple competition, fraudulent
overcapitalization and other evils in trust
organizations and practices which injur-
iously affect interstate trade can be pre-
vented under the power of the Congress
to regulate commerce.
Corporations, and especially combina-
tons of corporations, should be managed
under public regulation. Publicity can
do no harm to the honest corporation;
aud we need not be overtender about
sparing the dishonest corporation.
No more important subject can come
before the Congress than this of the reg
ulation of interstate business. The power
of Congress to regulate interstate COM
merce is an absolute and unqualified
grant, and without limitations other than
those prescribed by the Constitution. The
Congress has constitutional authority 10
make all laws necessary and proper for
executing this power. If it prove inlpos,
sihle TO accomplish the purposes above
set forth by such a law, then, assuredly,
we should not shrink from amending the
constitution so as to secure beyond perad.
venture the power sought
One proposition advocated has been the
reduction of the tariff as means of reach
ing the evils of the trusts which fall with
in the category have described. Many
of the largest corporations, many of those
which should certainly be included If
any proper scheme of regulation, would
not be affected in the slightest degree by
change in the tariff. The question, o.
regulation of the trusts stands apart from
the question of tariff revision. The case:
in which the tariff can produce monop
oily are so few as to constitute an incon
siderable factor in the question.
In my judgment, the tariff on anthra
cite should be removed, and anthracite
put actually, where it now is nominally
on the free list. This would have NC
effect at all save in crises; but in crises il
might be OF service to the people.
Finance.-It would be both unwise and
unnecessary at this time to attempt to re-
construct our financial system, which has
been the growth of a century; but some
additional legislation is, think, desirable
Capital and Labor.-Organized capital
and organized labor alike should remenl.
Der that in the long run the interest oil
each must be brought into harmony with
the interest of the general public, and the
conduct of each must conform TO the
fundamental rules of obedience to the law,
of individual freedom and of justice and
fair dealing toward all.
1t is earnestly hoped that a secretary OF
commerce may be created, with seat in
the cabinet. The rapid multiplication OF
questions affecting labor and capital the
growth and completely of the organiza-
tions through which both labor aud cap
ital now find expression, the steady ten
dency toward the employment CT capital
in huge corporations, and the wonderful
strides of this country toward leadership
in the international business world justify
an urgent demand for the creation of such
position.
Arbitration. -Wherever possible, arbi-
tration or some similar method should be
employed in lieu of war to settle diff
C llties between civilized nations, although
as yet the world has not progressed suf-
ficiently to render it possible, or neces-
sarily desirable, to invoke arbitration in
every case.
Cuba.-Cuba lies at our door, and
whatever affects her for good or i'll affects
us also. So much have our people felt
this that in the Plat amendment we
definitely took the ground that Cuba
must hereafter have closer political rela-
tons with us than with any other Power.
Our Future.-As people we have play.
Ell large part in the world, and we are
bent upon making our future even larger
than the past.