The Washington herald., 1907-12-02
The Sixtieth Congress.

The Sixtieth Congress will find the
state Of the Union" to-day quite other
than that which confronted the opening
session OF its predecessor. Two years ago
the country enjoyed a material prosperity
so great that the rapid accumulation Of
wealth and its concentrated control were
thought by many to constitute a grave
menace 10 the liberties OF the people and
TO the perpetuity Of our political institG-
tions. Influenced by this belief, measures
were taken by Congress and the admin
istration designed to protect the rights
Of the weak against the strength of greed
and cunning, and 10 assert the supremacy
OF the state over its corporate creatures
To-day Congress assemblies on the heels
OF a severe monetary stringency for
which, In so far AS its causes may be at
tributable 10 legislation. or the want of it.
or TO acts of omission or commission on
the part Of the administration. the Execu-
tive and his supporters in Congress will
be held accountable. For this reason the
financial situation viii. in all probability.
be the dominating topic Of discussion dur
ing the session. and contribute the central
Cannon, in his address TO the Republican
caucus. sounded note of conservatism
though not too definitely II would be
rash TO assume. from his tone. that he
viii stand in the way Of all important
legislation save the appropriation bills
We take his language to mean that he
viii oppose his decisive influence TO
r1a4 Cfrras- fr,1-,T,-fr,o- ,,,,-.r
islation or requiring unusual expenditures
Of money But il IS entirely possible to
frame currency bill that VIII not arouse
too much antagOnism. and IL may be pos
Sible as well to carry through some Of
the economic legislation. such as the
amendment Of the Sherman trust law,
which il is reasonably sure. from the
tenor of his public utterances, the Presi-
dent viii press for enactment It can
hardly be expected. however. that the
radical corporation legislation for which
Mr.. Roosevelt has been contending in his
between-session addresses will occupy the
forefront OF the Congressional stage.
Judgments may differ as 10 the political
effect Of the postponemcnt of that legis-
latiOn, bus the astute politicians Of SEN
ate and House are not likely to commit
the error of going before the country with
a record Of having done nothing to cor
rect the universally admitted faults of our
currency system.
To the people OF the District the re-
curing sessions OF Congress have a. .paro-
chial as we'll as a national interest. for the
Congress Of the greatest nation on earth
is likewise our local legislature. Wash
ington IS much more than an ambitious
municipality; it is the National Capital.
and, as such, we bespeak for its needs the
consideration due the affairs Of the Capi-
tai II hardly BELTS national dignity. for
example, that the splendid railway terni-
nal should be inaccessible save over mud
roads. An early remedy should be found
for the unsatisfactory condition of the
approaches TO the terminal, and the ques-
tion Of street railway connections should
be promptly determined. It might he
well if the ban on the overhead trolley
were temporarily removed in order that
street railway facilities to and from the
terminal may be quickly provided.
We doubt not these and many other
matters Of national concern will have
the patriotic consideration Of our law
makers. TO whom The Washington Herald
extends, with pleasure, a cordial greeting
and welcome,