New-York tribune., 1910-06-26
THE RECORD OF THE SESSION.


1t does not detract from the merit of
the work done by Congress at the ses-
sion just ended to admit that except for
pressure Opportunely eXerted by the
President much of that work might
have remained undone. If it had been
left to its own devices Congress would
probably have Shelved some of the meas
ures passed and defeated others. But
the conditions which made it compara-
lively easy for Congress at the extra
session TO avoid a complete fulfilment OF
what the President considered Its duty
to the party and the country exist no
longer. The revolution in the House OF
Representatives, upsetting autocracy
there and opening the way to freer ac-
tiCn on the part of the majorlties In
both branches, gave the Presidents in
firence and counsels ampler play. Act
ing as the leader Of the party at large.
Mr. Taft was able to bring its repre-
sentatives in the House and Senate to
accent a broader view of their respon-
sibilities They have deferred TO him
TO an extent which would have been
considered remarkable even year ago.
The record of the session has. therefore,
been exceptionally prolific. The lions
share of the credit for what was ac-
compIished must go to the President.
But Congress deserves commendation
for responding more quickly than has
been its wont to the suggestions Of an
enlightened party policy.
The legislation Of the session will
rank in scope and Importance with that
cf any session within the last two or
three decades. The session Of 1889 9o
the one at which the Mckinley tarin
act. the Sherman antitrust act. the de-
pendent pension act and the sherman
silver purchase act were passed-prob-
ably produced more legislation of far
reaching Importance The session OF
19O5-'O6. which saw the passage OF the
Hepburn railroad rate law, the pure
food law. the meat inspection law, the
new naturalization law and the consular
TeorcaniZa ton law. was also rich in re-
suits. But alongside those records the
second session of the 61St Congress can
put the amended railroad measure and
the measures establishing system or
postal savings banks. providing for
public accounting of contributions and
expenditures in national campaigns. eI-
tending the activities of the IarlH
Board. authorizing Withdrawals OF pub
lie lands from settlement for conserTa-
ton purposes and granting statehood to
Arizona and New Mexico. In all Of
those measures pledges of the last Re
,Jo+ J,
deemed, and the party can go to the
country in the fall elections with rec
ord oc promises promptly and specifically
fulfilled almost without parallel in our
political history.
4 striking incident Of the session was
the elimination of the so-called inSur-
gent movement This had two phases.
In the Senate it took the form of
protest against the reactionary tenden-
cieS imputed to the Republican leader
ship in that body and Of scarcely veiled
hostility TO the administrations legisla-
tive. programme. In the House 1t was
confined to warfare on the repressive
code of rules. In 50 far as the move
ment was general and inspired by de-
sire to create a breach within the Re
publican ranks Oh vital questions Of
policy il quickly collapsed. The Repub-
lican voters in supposed insurgent states
showed that they had no use for the
kind of insurgency which aimed at TO
menting civil war Moreover, the sue
cess of the President in putting through
with practically united Republican sup
port his liberal legislative programme
cut all the ground from under the feet
of the irreconcilable insurgents. They
were left without plausible excuse for
assailing an administration whose meas
lIres had been progressive enough to at
tract their support,
In so far. however. as the movement
was simply a protest against autocratic
rule in the House of Representatives it
met with striking success. The House
code was amended and the excessive
power Of the Speaker was curbed. The
results Of that revolution have been
highly beneficial. Since the revolution
the House has regained self-confidence
and initiative. and any action which it
takes now commands n far greater de-
gree of respect than it formerly did. The
House has greatly increased its inf1u-
pnce as factor in legislation. and that
influence will he further heightened as
il becomes more and more accustomed to
Self-government. The overthrow of the
vicious system Of one-mAn rule in the
House of Representatives was in itself
victory for progress sufficient to make
any session Of Congress memorable.