The Harrison times., 1911-03-04

party. what may come out OF TINS sltud-
ton Is difficult to tell at this moment,
The president says that If this con-
gress fails to carry his reciprocity bill
he will call an extra session. In that
event. of course, the Democrats, who
are now on record, Will neces-
sarily have to support the measure.
But | am rather inclined to believe
that the presidents utterances on this
subject are more of a threat than OF a
promise. He does not want an extra
session; neither do his advisers III
house and senate, nor for that mat
ter do the Democrats themselves. II
is possible that by threatening such
action President Taft may dragon
the Republican senate into acting
on his reciprocity plan. And that Is
in all probability the reason for his
hint at an extra session.
Short Session Folly.
Four matters confront this congress
that are important:
l. The Canadian reciprocity treaty.
2. The general appropriation bills.
3. Ship subsidy legislation.
A. Senate resolution for direct cleo
ton Of senators.
OF course there are others, but
these four are at this writing the ones
which engage most the attention OF
either the legislators or the public.
And the former have but little time
left to satisfy the public. Whether
they can do 1t or not Is a very doubt
full question.
1t would not be a bad thing If some
congress would take up the utter folly
of the Short session"-prescribed by
the constitution. Meeting the first
week in December, 1t adjourns over
the holidays, nothing doing thus far.
Reassembling the first week in Janu-
airy 1t wastes day after day on triv-
ialities and adjourns March A. Moth
ing will come out of this congress
that has been even reasonably dis
cussed, even In committee.
If one congress would take up vigor
ously the question Of so amending the
constitution that the short session
could be abolished or heightened, ma.
king the new congress elected in No
vember go into service within 60 days,
and perhaps changing the date of the
presidential Inauguration, 1t would
be something worth while.
The first proposition is mere busi-
ness To pay members Of congress a
salary Of $500 a year with perquis-
ties which bring it up to $4,000, and
let them work through a three months
term, with two-week holidays at
Christmas, doesn't seem like real busi-
ness. But that is what we do and
they take advantage Of 1t. l was luck
less enough to stay through the last
holiday session in washington and
there were not enough congressman
there to fill jury If called upon.
Defeated Congressman Still LeeIsate.
Moreover this short session is made
up of lame ducks" Of the repudiated
Of the former dominant party. Out
Of men owing little to their constitu-
encies, men beaten for reelection,
what can be hoped for in the way Of
whom have talked have been either
sardonic, cynical or Indifferent. And
yet this present majority, turned by
the late election into pitiful minority,
has, even after its reputation, the pow
er to enact reciprocity law, pass all
the great appropriation bills, conduct
the affairs Of the District of Columbia,
enact or defeat bills for ship subsidy,
or for the election of senators by di.
rect vote Of the people. All this they
may do by the 4th Of March, They
can be beaten only by the fllibuster,
and filibustering it not popular with
the people. Meanwhile the Demo
Gratis, who won an overwhelming VIC
tory last November, must wait until
next December to perform the duty
imposed upon them by the people.
Is It fair? It Is good government?
Where Shall Conventions Be HeId2
OF course It is rather early to begin
discussion of the location Of the next
national conventions OF the two great
parties. Usually that matter Is settled
In the December preceding the presi-
dental year and doubtless will be so
determined this year. But politicians
in Washington are discussing 1t now,
and 1t seems no more than fair that
a mere looker-on might comment on
their views
Sentiment Against Chicago.
On the Democratic side there have
been thus far only four cities serious.
ly discussed-Chicago, Louisville,
Baltimore and New York, The con.
sensus Of opinion seems to be against
Chicago this time, although everybody
admits the pre.eminence of that city
as a convention town both because Of
its central location and It's unrivalled
hotel accommodations. Today Chi
cago Is better fitted to care for great
national convention than 1t has ever
been before. But the Democrats are
ehy Of II for nOlitlcal reasons They