New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-06
rHE oPENING OF CONGRESS-.

IhE OPEAtAG w OALhESc.
The Congress which assemblies to-day
viii begin the consideration of President
Tafts policies. already somewhat IA
miliar 10 the public through the Presi-
dents own speeches and those Of his At
torney General: labOrious programme.
which will keep not only this session
busy. but probably several succeeding ses-
sions. But though it will take time aud
persuasion 10 secure the enactment Of
the measures which Mr.. Taft desires,
perhaps 80 recent President ever had a
more favorable prospect Of success in a
legislative policy. Conditions have 50
changed as 10 enhance the influence OF
the Executive in legislation The public
has come 10 look TO the administration
more than To Congress 10 originate ma
tional policies. and Congress has 10 g
considerable extent acquiesced. The leg
islative machine in both houses is weaker
than il used 10 be. lnsurgencies have
damaged its prestige. It's Independence
and self-cOnfdence are largely gone. and
il viii be driven more and more TO re
gard public opinion. 10 show Difference To
persons and measures that appear 10
have popular support and 20 seek al,
liances and working agreements which
have public approval.
The frequent wars" Of Congress on
President Roosevelt were Of Al opera
bOufIe character. Neither side sought
the others blood. But their effect was
20 weaken Congress with the people. who
-
position. They opened the WAY for the
ma gaZine muckrakers flank ATTACK and
they promoted the insursent outbreaks.
which in some parts OF the country com
mand popular confidence merely because
they are against the powers that lie. To
them IL IS IN a measure due that the
public looks 10 the Executive as its rep
resentative i'm q special aud extraordi-
nary sense They are not likely 10 he
repeated. partly because Mr.. Taft is less
picturesque i'm his methods than his pred
ecessor WAS. and partly because Con
gress is not i'm a mood even for opera
beuffe warfare.
The legislative machine. a. we have
said. does not now grind so exceeding
small a. il once did. Its leaders have
Instructions within their own domains
and their authority has been shaken. II
Is not Necessary 10 determine the Justice
II the attacks on the Speaker in order
30 perceive that a man with 80 many
muckrakers and insuTrectOs on his
hands has trouble enough and viii not
seek more. He may lave been car
but he is not Low likely Ia exhibit an,
tocracy. Even II they were 50 disposed.
Mr.. Cannon and his associates could not
afford io Ice al obstacle To SIR. Taft's
plans.
Mr.. Aldrich. the leader OF The Senate,
has already evinced disposition 10 work
I'm harmony with the President. BUT
even II he were not inclined - cooper
ate. be has reasons for raugir. himself
with the administration Mr. Aldrich
is heartily enlisted in the cause of cur
rency reform. lie j. engaged "a the most
ambitious project Of his life. lie is 80
licit0us IN RESPECT 10 the publ, attitude
toward himself a. il affects The pros
poets Of his programme. The desire 10
coBciliate public opinion. IL ne were not
50 disposed Tor better reasons. would
keep him In cooperation with the ad-
minisiration Mr.. Aldrich has given
hostages io political fortune
Therefore We have a President who u
q conciiiator aud Congress In a conciiia-
tory mood. political situation at Wash
ingion that fav0rs The Executive and "A
legislative machine that has lost much of
its power ~ resistance. even II il had
the disposition 10 resist.