The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1908-02-23
AFRAID NOT TO PASS
THE CURRENCY BILL
Would Put Republican Party
Before the Country With
Serious Handicap-All
for Tariff Reform,
but Will Have
None.
Times-DIspatch Bureau.
Nunsey Building


Washington. d. c.. Feb. &c.
The public never demanded more OF
any Congress probably than is being
demanded of the present; yet no long
session has ever granted less than this
one promises to grant. The program
of the majority of Congress for the
present session embraces the enact
ment of .he various appropriation bills
the passage of currency bill, II pos
sible, and adjournment If any more
Legislation of anything like general
Importance is enacted, It will be in
spite of the wishes of the Republican
majority.
OF course, tho majority OF the things
for which there is such general de-
mand by the people will eventually
become subjects of legislation. but not
this session. Congress Is proceeding
with extreme care. 1t is absolutely
certain that 1t would not try to enact
currency legislation were 1t not that
the majority is afraid to go to the
country this fall without having given
some show of relief from conditions
which are recognized as being unbear-
able. In that panic was created in n
time OF unexampled prosperity, and
without our actual wealth having been
in the least impaired.
Many members of Congress of both
political parties assert that no legis-
lation on this line is needed. The
Democrat who takes this view believes
IT would be good policy to defeat both
the Aldrich and the Fowler bills. and
then undertake to revise the 6ntire
currency system at the next session.
The Republicans think It absolutely
necessary that some sort of medicine
be administered, even bread pills. The
Aldrtch bill is to be enacted.
Both Arc for Tnrin Reform.
Both Democrats and Republicans are
declaring for tariff reform. Bat there
Will be no reform this year The pres
ident urges, and both sides in Congress
admit the need of legislation aimed
to correct evils growing out of the I'M
wise use of injunctions by Judges of
Federal courts. There will not be any
anti-injunction Legislation.
And so on with many other things.
Legislation affecting which there is
undoubtedly a strong demand. whether
such legislation be wise or otherwise.
such. as an income tax, Appalachian
forest reserve. physical valuation of
ing the capitalization of corporations.
strengthening railway rate Legislation,
amendment Of the Sherman law, and
subjects on which congressional action
is demanded.
Many of these things which are be-
of of them are being put off only until until
next session. The demand for them
will be repeated at the polls this fall.
No matter whether. the Democrats or
the Republicans control the next House
Of Representatives. 1t Is likely that
about the same things will be attempted
in the way of legislation.
Little Difference In Platforms.
For there is not going to be "A vast
parties this year Candidates are. go
ing to stand for about the same things.
Not a man has been found who will
dare say in what particular respect
the platforms of the Democrats and
the Republicans will be widely diff
fcrent.
Things are in ferment in this
country, and nowhere Is this unrest
more apparent than In Congress. The
people generally are doing more Sc
rious thinking on governmental sub
jects than they ever did before. Mem
bers of Congress are thinking. that Is,
studying questions of government than
at any time in our more recent his
tory. OF course, there are still many
who pay more attention to fight over
a third-class post-ottice than to the
currency question, many who still
count on retaining their seats through
appeals to party prejudice, and manip-
ulation of the voters. but the number
is less now than In years. A great
many members compared to the old
days are actually thinkers, and stu
dents of problems which the country
is discuss Ing.
A new order has arisen begotten by
new problems which press for solution.
There Is still the school which seeks
to solve all such by some alleged pre-
ccdent set century ago-conserva-
tives. The other and new school is
studying, evolving, smashing prece-
dents and ready to make a new one,
every day until the new questions have
been Observation-Disclosures.
Old Landmarks Are Passing.
1t is hard to say how the struggle
will end. The fathers of the republic
were fearfully radical, but they look
mighty conservative to us Of to-day.
Thomas Jefferson must have shocked
Alexander Hamilton with hisS Sradical
views regarding the wisdom and COM
petency of the common people to gov
ern. But the conservatives of this day
and time appeal to Hamilton and JEFF.
ferson alike in their efforts to stay
the tide of radicaism which grows
higher with every obstruction placed
in its way.
Old landmarks do not appear to be
as attractive now as once they We're.