Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1911-03-11
SESSION
CALLED BY TAFT
Democrats Are Ready And VIII
Revise Cotton And Wooden
Schedule

President Taft has issued his procla-
nation calling the new Sixty-second Con-
gress to convene in extraordinary ses-
ion at noon on April 4.
The President issued the call immedi-
ately following the final adjournment
of the Sixty-first Congress. He had
warned the opposing Republicans that
unless they secured vote in the Senate
on the Canadian Reciprocity agreement
he would call an extra session. They
did not vote on it. and he issued call
at once. He feels that he is in honor
bound to put through the agreement to
keep the faith with Canada.
Democrats Are Prepared
Now that the extra session has been
called, the Democratic leaders will lose
no time in preparing for the responsible
ity that comes with power. They had not
expected had the country that
this responsibility would be theirs until
December next; but as outlined in The
Sun some time ago, ,as soon as the extra
session became probability plans for
immediate action were formed. The
Democratic members Of the new Ways
and Means Committee met on Mon
day. Its members will probably re-
main in Washington most OF the time
between now and April 4th working to
prepare themselves for the test to come.
1t is recognized that upon these Ia men,
headed by Oscar w. Underwood, of
Alabama, depend in great measure the
record to be made by the Democratic
party between now and the Presidential
election of 1912.
Not only are they charged with the
duty of framing the tariff bill to be
passed by the next Congress. but in
their hands is the power. taken from
the Speaker, of naming all the other
committees OF the House. Theirs is a
heavy task, fraught with danger and
difficulty, but the committee is compos-
ed of sane, solid men and their Demo
cratic colleagues have confidence in
their ability to measure up.
Tariff Plans Well Defined
The tariff plans of the Democrats for
the extra session have been forecasted
already. The present idea is to tack
on to the reciprocity agreement with
Canada bills revising the woolen and
cotton schedules of the Payne-Aldrich
law, and pass them as speedily as pos
sible. With Insurgents and Democrats
cooperating, it is believed they can be
pressed through the Senate and put up
to the President. If he signs them, the
credit will undoubtedly go to the Demo-
Gratis. If he vetoes these bills, he will
have created an issue which the Demo-
Gratis are eager to accept, and as Sena-
tor Bailey says, "The people will settle
with him at the polls.
The Reapportionment bill, which failed
in the Senate, will be passed by the
Democratic House and, it is believed,
will easily go through the next Senate.
The belief of the Democratic leaders
is that if they can succeed in passing
and putting up to the President bills
revising the woolen and cotton schedules
and possibly one other of the more out
rageous of those contained in the Payne
Aldrich bill; pass the reciprocity agree
ment and the Reapportionment bill, they
can afford to adjourn without attempt
ing great revision of the tariff at this
session. The country, il is contended,
does not expect the Democrats to re-
wise the whole tariff before the regular
session and will recognize that time is
needed in which to properly prepare a
bill or bills that will revise downward to
a revinue basis and yet not seriously
disturb business.
Under these circumstances, some of
the leaders say, that the special
session ought not to last longer than
the last of June. To attempt to do
more at this time, many of them feel,
would be mistake.
The question of patronage is one
which Is calculated to cause more fric-
tion and heartburnings in the organiza-
tion of the extra session than anything
else. With the convening of the next
Congress the 400 and more Republican
employees in and about the House will be
dropped and their places filled by Demo-
Gratis. The extra session is hard blow
to these men. Had it not been called,
they would have continued on the pay
roll until December.
A Scramble For Places.
Already there is a scramble among
Democrats for the places. and il is under
stood that a patronage committee has