New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-10
THE EXTRA SESSION.

The extra session OF Congress which began
yesterday is likely be full of interest and dis
tinguished by the transaction Of one exceed
ingly important piece of business In some leg
islative bodies only such matters can be taken
I'D at an extraordinary session as the Executive
chooses to designate, but that is not the case
with the Congress of the United States. 1t is
called together at this time for the particular
purpose Of dealing with the Cuban reciprocity
treaty, but there is nothing to prevent the in
PRODUCTION of any bill relating TO national inter
ests. and as a matter Of fact rather volumi-
nous calendar had been made up for the House
when it adjourned yesterday. In what form
and TO what extent the sudden developments IN
the isthmian situation may demand or procure
consideration remains TO be seen, but it is prob
able that opponents of the administration will
seek an carly opportunity to call in question its
course in respect TO the secession Of Panama
from the Colombian republic.
AS TO the reciprocity treaty with Cuba, there
cannot be the slightest doubt that a great
majority of the people of the United States are
completely in accord with the Presidents view
that national honor and national interest alike
require the establishment Of such commercial
relations with the island as the treaty contem-
plates. That fact has been amply demonstrated
by continuous expressions Of public feeling dur
2
been confirmed rather than disguised by the
proceedings Of Congress itself A few Republi-
can insurgents, scarcely attempting to conceal
/ the selfshness of their motives, were indeed
able TO withstand the will of the party and the
country through the cooperation for political
/ purposes of the Democratic minority, already
/ on record in favor Of reciprocity. 1t is, Of
! course, possible that the forces opposed TO the
/ treaty from considerations Of personal advan-
/ tage may succeed in proonging that alliance
/ in fUrtherance Of practical ends which ut
terly inconsistent both with the ancient tradi-
tons and the present professions of the Demo
cratic party, but there is good reason to believe
that the administration, more firmly intrenched
since the recent elections than ever before in
the confidence Of the country, viii no longer
lack the effective support Of a Republican Con-
gress for its Cuban policy.
1t is apprehended in some quarters that the
Democratic minority will be able to make parti-
san capital out of the Just and necessary &C
ton which President Roosevelt has taken in
respect to the isthman revolution. But there
is little to justify that suppostion Republican
Senators and Representatives of commanding
influence have FASTENED to assure the President
OF their earnest approval and answering sup
port, and there are indications that he is prac-
Gcally sustained by a strong sentiment orig
mating outside Of party lines. There is, for ex-
. ample, much significance in the emphatic utter
, ances Of The New-York Herald hitherto
among the most aggressive opponents of what
ever course Of action has seemed likely to re-
suit in the selection Of Panama as the route for
the interoceanic canal. The advocates of the
Nicaragua route whether actuated by sincere
or selfish motives, will be strongly tempted if
they think that current events have put a
weapon in their hands, 10 make use of il with
out strict regard TO patriotism truth and
IT may be taken for granted that some Demo,
Gratis Will be persuaded TO assail the admins
tration if calculations of party expediency rec
ommend that course 10 their judgment or
their prejudices. But it is not Immediately ap-
parent how they can hope TO gain anything by
so doing.
Politicians who are disposed to embark In
such an enterprise viii do well to weigh the evil
dences of general appreciation which the Presi-
dent has already received, to consider that q
position Of partisan anita gonism in such case
is virtually certain TO become more and more
untenable with the progress Of events and
above all, 10 reflect that wherever the Demo
cratic party is strong popular opinion would
most unequivocally condemn a policy involving
proceedings prejudicial 10 the prompt construc-
ton Of an interoceanic canal on termspeculiarly
fortunate.