The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1909-03-20
Congress IN Extra Session.

congress In Extra Sessions
The extra session OF. congress con-
vened by proclamation OF President
Taft opened on Monday, the 18th
instant, and will be devoted largely, If
not almost exclusively, to tariff legis-
lation. Interest in the first lay s pro-
ceedings centered in the house Of rep
resentattves, where the choice of a
speaker and spirited contest
over The adoption of rules of order
were on the tapis. A squad OF Repub-
Iicau insurgents combined with q
majority OF the Democrats in an at
tempt TO prevent the adoption of the
former rules, which are objected to as
giving the speaker too much power to
control discussions and influence leg
islation, and the coalitionists attained
a preliminary victory by defeating a
motion to adopt the old rules. Con.
gresham Champ Clark, the minority
leader, offered resolution amending
the rules in accord ance with the views
OF the Democratic caucus, but sub
stitute presented by Congressman
Fitzgerald of New York, a dissenting
Democrat, making fewer and less rad
ical changes than the Clark resolution,
was passed by vote of I'll to III.
Among the twenty three Democrats
who voted with the Republican ma
iority n favor Of this substitute were
congressman r. F. Broussard and Al
bert Estopinal of Louisiana.
Hon. John G. Cannon of Illinois
was re- elected speaker by 204 votes,
against l66 for MIR. Clark and IL scat
tering. All the minor officers OF the
house nominated by the Republican
caucus were elected.
The committee on ways and means,
which is to have charge of all tariff
Legislation, was appointed by Speaker
Cannon on Tuesday, and among the
seven Democrats named on this COM
mittee is Mr.. Broussard of Louisiana.
The announcement OF his selection was
greeted with Kisses among his Demo
cratic colleagues, presumably because
The hissers regarded the preferment
as a reward for the Louisiana mem.
ber's action of the day before in Vot-
ing against them on the question of
amending the rules.
President Taft's first message to
congress was transmitted on Tuesday,
and it is such a model of brevity and
straightforwardness that we cannot
refrain from quoting t in full;
10 the Senate and House of Representatives:
have convened the congress in this extra sss-
SION IN order to enable 1T to give immediate con-
slderatlon to the revision of the Dlngley tariff
act. Conditions affecting production, manu-
facture and business generally have SO changed
mlent and revision OF the import duties imposed
by that act. More than this he present tariff
act,with the other sources of government revenue.
doeS not furnish income enough to pay the au-
thorized expenditures. BY July next the ex-
cess of expenses over receipts for the current
fiscal year viii equal 500, 600 COO.
the successful party IN the late election is
pledged to revision of the tariff. The country
and the business community, especially, expect
Il. The prospect OF change in the rates OF inn
port duties always causes suspension or halt IN
business because OF the uncertainty to the
changes to be made and their effect. It is there
fore, OF the highest importance that the new bill
should be agreed upon and passed with as much
speed as possible, consistent with its due and
thorough consideration. For these reasons I
have deemed The present to be an extraordinary
occasion, within the meaning of the constitution
justifying and requiring the call of an extra
session.
In my inaugural address I stated in summary
way the principles upon which III my Judgment.
the revision OF the tariff should proceed and in
Dictated at least one new source of revenue that
future deficit. 1t is not necessary for me to re
peat what then said.
] venture to suggest that the vital business in
terests of the country require that the attention
OF the congress in this session be chiefly devoted
to the consideration of the new tariff bill, and
that the less time given other subjects of Iegis
1ation Ia this session. the better for the country.
WILLIAM Fl. TAFT.
The White House. March IS, 1903.