The French Broad hustler. [volume] (Hendersonville, N.C.) 1896-1912, 1911-12-14
THE CONGRESS

The sixty-second congress Is open
for business and the mill has be gun
to grind slowly. It is freely predict
ed that the session will be long and
tedious, fought with agitation and
rich inproposals for reforms. Both
parties will play for position and each
is going to have care in the consid-
GRAFTON of measures new and strange.
The popular branch" as Speaker
CLARK puts it, will be in control Of the
democrats, a condition that has not
existed, except during the recent ex-
traordinary session, since 1892-eigh-
teen years ago. They will enjoy this
distinction and make the most of it.
Champ Clark and Oscar Underwood
have already demonstrated their abil-
ity to lead and the splen did work be-
gun last winter will be continued dur
ing. the present session. President
Taft may as well under stand IN the
begfnning that his veto OF reform
measures at the conclusion Of the ex-
ira session will not deter the demo-
cratic House from keeping it's pledges
with the people now. He may rest as
aured that another opportunity will
bezgiFen him to show the country just
what kind of measures his excellency
considers necessary and expedient,"
unless the efforts of house leaders are
blocked by a republican senate.
The Sc nate republicans were able
to elect a temporary presiding officer
at the beginning of the session and
this indicates the return of harmony
Between the regulars and insurgents
that was conspicuous by it's absence
during tie exciting scenes which char
acterized the "call session. last
spring and summer They were un-
able to elect president protein at
that time and their success in this one
particular, upon the converting of the
Sixty-second congress, shows a get
tngether spirit which may mean trou-
lie for measures proposed by the dem
= cratic house. So it would seem that
1ere is to be conside rabIe of agita-
On and little actual accomplishment.
Or, If the two houses of congress
LIQUID agree upon progressive meas
Erss of reform, a stand-pat president
is I'm waiting to block the games as
he did last August. He may be count
ed upon to veto any measure which is
calculated to enhance democratic pros
poets in the approaching contest for
Supremacy in the nation. But the
democrats will not be idle, according
to the New York Times, which sug-
gests: ~
There will be more investigations,
doubtless, and as the De mocrats of
the House are bent on being busy they
cannot employ their time better than
in investigating. If nothing scandal
Gus is uncovered that will at least help
to re-assure the country. If evil and
wrong doing ex list in any de partment
Of administration or government it
ought to be exposed and corrected, no
amtter whom it hurts. The House
Democrats have an ambitious program
of legislation on the tariff, trusts and
other large subjects.
It is not great detriment to the pub
Hc in the long run that the important
work of national legislation should
give way at intervals to a period of
discussion and agitation. The great
questions debated thus go to the peo-
pie and are the issues in a Presiden-
tial election. The present session of
Congress may be long and the debates
go far afield, but they will be mainly
preparatory and preliminary to the
quadrennial contest which will deter
iine the control of the Government for
he succeeding four years
Political lines are likely to be clos
drawn and the numer Gus fights
mpending upon great public questions
promise interest and amusement to all
concerned, without reg ard to political
alingnents. or probable results. It is
hoped. however, that all important
measures will be treated upon their
intrinsic merits and not on account
OF some anticipated political effect.
The people have right to expect re-
form legislation that is safe and sane.