New-York tribune., 1902-07-02
THE SESSION ENDED.

1t is rather too much the custom when legis-
lative body has adjourned for the political
friends of the majority by which it was con-
trolled to pronounce an undiscriminating eulogy
upon its performances and for the opposition
to denounce IL beneath contempt. In the
case of the LVIIth Congress, which completed
its first session yesterday the latter half of the
rule is likely TO be observed; but if we may
Judge by the frank and explicit criticisms which
Republicans throughout the country have al
ready directed against the partys representa-
tives at Washington there will be no general
pretence of attributing perfection to the result
of their long labors.
Undoubtedly the most conspicuous feature
of the session has been a lamentable de-
reelection of duty toward Cuba. This coun-
try bound by honor and self-interest
alike to facilitate the new republics en-
trance on the path Of independence to the ex-
tent of tightening the excessive financial and
industrial burdens inevitably laid upon it by
the war of liberation. In consequence of our
interference in behalf of Cuba she lost the ex it.
ing market for her chief product. That inter
ference was magnanimous in origin and spirit,
and magnanimity should have characterized
dealings with the island from the first mo-
ment of it's advent into the family of nations,
even If such treatment was sure to be costly to
the United States; but in reality the default is
without the poor excuse Of worldly shrewd-
ness. This country itself must pay a penalty
for refusing relief to a helpless ward and neigh
Dor. Unless all signs are deceitful. the deliber
ate judgment Of the American people is that
Congress has not merely violated an obligation
but neglected an opportunity. and there is no
reason to think that the majority will escape
censure for failing to respect that judgment
If the Democratic party were able to come into
the electoral court with clean hands il might
successfully claim a verdict and we hope that
those Immediately responsible for Republican
humiliation will not be too eager to derive salts
faction from the assurance that the country is
not ready for political revolution.
If Congress had adopted such q reasonable
scheme of reciprocity with Cuba President
Mckinley contemplated and his successor boldly
urged there would be no just cause to crlticise
the record harshly. A hopeful measure of civil
government for the Philippines. conducive to
the moral and material development of the isl
ands, has been secured. the way has been
opened for the building Of an isthmian canal
after long and complicated controversy, a
prudent project of irrigating arid regions Of
vast extent has been undertaken, war taxes to
the amount of $50, 100000 or S70,000.000 have
been abolished, and numerous other matters of
Importance are in a state to command prompt
action at the next session. On the whole, aside
from its one deplorable sin of omission, Con
gress has served the country faithfully and
sagacionsly, and it can easily do much next
winter to repair such mistakes and shortcom-
ings as are now chargeable to its account. AS
we have intmated, we should regret any hesita-
ton on the part of the people to signify their
disapproval Of the failure to discharge solemn
duty to Cuba, but we do not expect that public
opinion will be confused and msled by Demo
cratic appeals for confidence.