The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1912-08-26
Congress Dies Hard.

Congress is dying slow death, but
had il died two months ago the country
would not have been any worse off, for
there was mostly dillydallying, delays
caused by the great National Conven-
lions, and an acknowledgement as it
was absurd-on the part of the
Democrats in the House TO get
square" with the President We should
not feel quite so Disguised with our
selves if in Presidential years Congress
were to end its session in March
To prolong the term means the fur
nishing OF an opportunity for the per-
version of legislative functions to par
tisan uses How full of mischief such
prolongation can be made to be has
been amply demonstrated this spring
and summer.
Tariff revision is crying need, but
what has been accomplished? The bills
prepared by the Democrats of the House
were intended for campaign effect. The
would veto them Duties are not low
cred by this means What is provided
solely is material for campaign
speeches, but the public business is not
advanced
The Panama Canal bill was full of
politics. Instead of making regulations
for the use of the canal, it turns out
to be a subsidy enactment for the ben
eft of the coastwise trade. There was
politics in the post-office appropriation
bill which will compel newspapers to
file with the Post-ofice Department
and to publish the names of their own
ers or of the possessors of the shares
of their companies. This, by the way,
was adopted at the urgent request of
Mr.. Bryan. II was for political rea-
sons that the executive and legislative
budget was loaded with riders" trying
to abolish the Commerce Court and to
re-establish eventually the spoils sys-
tenn in the civil service.
But where the same old jackass" tow
cred above all else was the refusal of
the Democrats to build the two battle
ships asked for in the naval budget, de-
spite an overwhelming public opinion in
its favor This was done for the sake
of economy" though salaries of Con-
gressmen's clerks were raised and
scores of annual millions added to the
pension roll The Democrats are pa
triotic, indeed. Glory be! They add to
the monetary reward given by CRATE
full country to those who have risked
life and limb in defense of the
Union, but they decline to build ships
so much needed for the patrol and de-
Tense of our Atlantic and Pacific
coasts, needed now more than ever,
when, with the completion of the Pan
anna Canal, ali great nations of the
world will have their weather eye open
on Central America. the Caribbean, and
the Pacific States! Bravo, well done.
, As to the monetary question, it was
not expected that action would be taken
in campaign year The issue is too
far-reaching not to be thrashed out on
the stump; but again the Democrats
erred. because their candidate. instead
of taking the hint and the opportunity,
in his speech of acceptance Confessed
his ignorance of the subject -
But to conclude The Presidents
vetoes have spared US the harm which
Congress. meant to perpetual in the
civil service tenure rider, in the rider
abolishing the Commerce Court, and in
the spite" aimed at Gen. Wood We,
are glad that MIR Taft thus has es-
tablished a precedent, and We sincerely
trust that every Executive will be pre-
pared to veto appropriation bills with
riders"