The daily morning journal and courier., 1907-12-03
Tuesday, December 3, 1907.
THE s1xrrErH GREss.

THE SIXTIETH COh GRESS.
 The opening of a new congress was undertaken yesterday under condi- tions which make rather for the un- derstanding of the fact that things po- litical are more confused than they have been for a generation than for 0 grasp of them which would other wise justify the faith that a remedy will be forthcoming It is generally agreed among the members of both the house and the senate that while there will be lacking no opportunities for the enactment of remedial laws to fit this, that and the other weakness there will be little or nothing done outside of conventional legislation having to do with the conduct of the government itself. It is too much to expect of a session of Congress con- trolled by the political party which will seek vindication at the hands of the people next November that it will do more than it has to do to keep the boat from rocking.
 In the matter of the currency laws 1t is understood among men familiar with the weaknesses of the existing system that the needed remedies should be worked out and applied as soon as possible, but 1t is not general ly agreed among them that this ses> sion comes under the classification of "as soon as possible" They fear the enactment of laws which will proceed from political understanding of the necessities of the case instead of a scientific understanding; that the aim of the majority will be to catch votes at the approaching election. Tn this state of mind they feel that the coun- try can bear delay for another year better than experimental legislation. < MT. Fowler of the currency committee feels very strongly that further delay will bring with it to fruition a panic compared with which the present pam ic is without significance. It is admit ted that MT. Fowler is master of his subject, but 1t is also said that he is at the same time insistent upon his views which reflect the pride of personal conviction. The administration has shown it's willingness to tread, how ever softly, upon what is to many for bidden ground in order to restore pub lie confidence and MT. Fowler fears that 1t will continue to exercise that doubtful power unless specially diRect- 1. ed by the law. Speaker Cannon is rep resented as questioning the advisabili- fy of undertaking currency legislation at this time in the house and advising delay until the senate can be heard from. These and other forces tend tc give encouragement to the policy of delay and warrant the conclusion that practically nothing will be accomplish, ed at the session just begun.
 There is very strong movemen throughout the country in favor of the readjustment of the tariff schedules It Is understood that President Roose, welt will in his annual message tC Congress to-day take the position Sec retary of War Taft took in his Ohit speech and give approval to the pro posal, with this qualification, that tn, revision be post oned until after tn, election. This is in line with the pro gram of the senate and house leader who have no intention of opening tariff controversy on the eve of a na tional election, No matter what stan, the President takes upon the tarii tax on wod pulp and manufacture, paper, or what excuse he gives fo recommending it's repeal he will fin himself confronted by an insurmount able wall The older heads know tha the opening of the debate in ore par ticular Will open it in every particula and that once the fire of reform an revision is started it will be impossibl to put it out without grave conse Quences following at the polls. Tn logic of this position extends to tn Philippine tariff bill, which at the las session was crushed beneath the het of the senate committee. It will Ii within the power of course of tn Democratic minority to vex and haras the political majority, but it is yet { be demonstrated that the minority
 so we'll organized as to make their Dir pricking effective. So with regard 1 other matters which press for a soll tion, important as they may be frol
 the point of view provoked by a bus
 ness understanding of the need fc
 prompt action, they will be gently lai
 aside to await their treatment whe
 the fear of the great American vot,