The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-04-05
DUTY or srxTY-sEce>p CONGRESS.

DUTY or sIxTy-sECoND CONGRESS
Between President Tafts clear. concise mes
sage to the Sixty+econd Congress and Speaker
Champ Clark's stirring and eloquent address
upon assuming the gaveI in the House the Dem
ocrsts and Republicans should have no doubt IS
10 the direction in which their duty to ths
country and its people lies
This is the second time In as many years that
President Taft has directed to the Congress- OF
The United States In extraordinary session
special message particular subject In both
instances the Chief Executive was Justified In
Feconvening Congress. but he should not have
seen pu, To this necessity in the latest case.
Time has shown that IL would have been better
had the first extra session during MIR Taft's re-
gime not been held. but the outlook for the pre-
sent one seems bright and optimistic from the
public viewpoint
Mr.. Tafts message TO the Sixty-second Con.
sress is admirable document dealing with the
single subject for which he called the extra SEES
sion and treating ii succnctlv and plainly This
u probably the shortest message ever psuned by
President and II will be equally noteworthy
for its clearness and frankness. Mr. Taft not only
tells the Senate and House that he called the
extra session for the ratification Of the Canadian
reciprocity agreement. bur that he did so because
the people of this country had voiced their ap-
proval OF the trade agreement and It ia therefore
Hearty up to the sixty-second Congress to ratify
Il The President does not stop at urging but
presents the ratification Of the agreement AN
slain duty
The people of this country will doubtless sub
stantiate Mr.. Tafts statement that the measure
has widespread approval. that 1T Is most desira
nle and go further and declare that the flibuster
against 1t during the closing hours OF the sixty.
first Congress was little short Of highhanded-
ness
In concluding his message. consisting OF four
seen sentences grouped into ak paragrs phs
President Taft said
II am constrained, IN difference To popular
sesfsment and with yeaitst~g sense Of my
duty to the great n.osses of oar people sehose
tceifore is fnroiued, 10 urge upon your cor
sfderdtton carly action th4s agreement IN
concluding the negotiations the representa-
to use their utmost efforts to bring about The
tariff changes proUtded for IN the agreement
by concurrent legislation at Washington and
Ottoua. hnte feH II my duty, therefore,
NOT to oeqaiesee in relegatson Of action unfH
the opening Of the Congress in December but
to use my constitutional prerogatiue ard con
Doke the ssrtpsecond Congress in cntra ses
ex~.~S -
-sega,ssaats tm considering and octsna s&pou %
this most important subject"
The honor of this country Ia involved In the
trade pact, and since the people have appreciated
That its ratification will make for REDUCTION in
the cost of living and the expansion Of American
commerce, they have been with Mr. Taft in his
firm stand In the matter
There is reasonable assurance that the treaty
will BE- ratified. but confidence should not be al
lowed to make any senator or representative tn
favor OF 1t lax about working In its interest AL
though considerable other legislation deemed by
the Democrats to be OF equal importance from
political standpoint, az the Canadian agreement
b. attempted. nothing should be permitted to oh.
scure or 1eopardsze the trade pact
Speaker Clarks address dealing with the poD
MAR election Of senators, tariff for revenue only
reduction Of public expenses changing the rules
Of the House. and publication Of campaign ex
penses, before well after elections was |
comprehensive and touched perhaps the most
vital issues in the country. but tits to be hoped
that the Democrats will not play politics" and
attempt to force legislation on these matters be-
fore the Canadian treaty is ratified