New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-11-25
TIE RESULT OF THE EXTRA SESSION.

THE RESULT or THE EAIha cEcSfOH'
uanv Senators think they have put the Presi-
dent in a hole" by the arrangement TO defer a
vote on the Cuban bill until the regular session,
they will do well TO think the matter over fur
tber. They have instead called renewed atten-
ton TO their ridiculous position as members OF
n great legislative body which can legislate only
by unanimous consent Speaker Cannon does
we'll TO hold the Senate in session until the regu-
lar meeting day in December. The spectacle of
the Senate gathering day after day to no purpose,
simply because it is incompetent to get down
70 the only business before it and take vote
which a vast majority want TO take, may con-
vince even the Senators most enamoured of the
abuses of unlimited debate that reform is I'M
perativeIy necessary. The Senate kept in for
not doing its task, like stupid or inattentive
schoolboy, may possibly emerge reformed
character So far, however, as the execution OF
the Cuban treaty is concerned, it is not prob
able that such disciplinary measures will ac-
complish anything more than will be secured
by a vote as agreed on December 16.
That Is not TO say that the extra session has
been fruitless. Far from it, Those who seek
TO convict the President of Impotence and I'M
necessary zeal on this score underrate the in
telligence of the American people, who fully
understand the Senate and the proverbial diff
accomplishing anything. 1t is true that the
session will end without one single piece of
legislation accomplished to show for its days of
deliberation. Yet Cuban reciprocity is much
nearer than II the extra session had not been
called. The House has passed the enabling act,
and IL was there that serious obstacles were 10
be feared, and there they doubtless would have
been encountered if the subject had come up
among a thousand others in regular session
with all its opportunities for Intrigue and delay
In the Senate the session results In the liking
of date early after the regular meeting, which.
in view of the large majority which Joined to
ratify the treaty, and is unquestionably favor
able to its execution, insures the passage OF the
act almost as soon as if the business had been
completed at this session. No such speedy dis
position could have been secured at the begin
ming of the regular session. IL the Senate had
met in December for the first time with other
business to transact the opposition would have
kent the measure indefinitely from securing
| right of way Obstruction would have been
comparatively easy, and 1t might have been
prolonged through the winter.
| The value of the extra session and the wisdom
Of the President in calling it are not TO be
| judged merely by the legislation actually put
! upon the statute book, but by what has been
| made possible hereafter. Cuban reciprocity is
now in sight. 1t can be confidently counted on,
| and for a definite date not far removed from
| the time hoped for when the extra session was
determined upon. Without the extra session the
| legislation might have hung over into next
spring. TO the great loss Of both Cuba and the
United States. Moreover. much of the prelimi-
nary work Of organization has been done in
| both houses, and the winters work can be
much more expeditiously performed in conse-
quence. This year it ought not TO take till after
the Christmas holidays for Congress to get
/ down to business. II the extra session is moth
ing to be proud Of that is fault of the Presi-
\ dent. He gave Congress an opportunity TO do
its duty on an important question needing
speedy settlement. If it does not wish to do its
duty, that is its affair. If any persons want TO
show the President that his virtuOus desires
and jealous plannings count for little with
| them, he can afford TO face that situation with
| equanimity. Such persons only show the feeble
ness of their own devotion to public duty.