The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1914-10-26
Congress and the Cotton Situation

HE Sixty-third Congress, which closed its
second session on Saturday, after con-
tinuous service extending over nineteen
months will have an important place in the
history of this country. 1t has enacted con-
structive legislation of the highest import
ance, it has redeemed with unfaltering fidelity
the promises made in the campaign that re-
suited in the election of Woodrow Wilson,
and it has stood steadfastly behind the Presi-
dent In his determination that this nation
shall not be. embroiled in war
Among the great positive achievements
that history will place to the credit of the
SfXty-third Congress are the following:
modern and far-seeing system of
banking and currency
An honest and decent tariff.
Repeal of the exemption clause OF the
Panama Canal act, thus meeting the
country's obligations to foreign nations.
The Federal Trade Commission.
The Clayton antitrust bill
a S35,OOp,O0O government railroad in
Alaska.
American registry of forcign-built
ships and opportunity conferred
American enterprise OF re-establ,shing
the American merchant marine
Ratification of twenty-six arbitra-
tion treaties.
Destruction of the lobby
With such a record, it is unfortunate that
the closing days of the Congress should have
been marred by the efforts of Senators and
Representatives from some of the cotton
affecting the cotton situation that were
economically unsound and that could have
carried no real relief. There is no lack of
sympathy anywhere in this country with the
people of those Commonwealth in which
cotton is king-though in these days king
humbled and dethroned-but the bond issue
favored by the cotere of which Senator
Smith, OF Georgia, and Representative Henry,
Of Texas, were the leaders would have
served only to play further havoc with the
already menaced and disturbed financial
structure.
Unhappy as Is the situation in which the
cotton States find themselves. there is no
sound reason OF public policy why the rest
Of the nation should be taxed to relieve them.
The government that embarks on course
of that description is headed for the financial
reefs.
1t is comforting to observe that sentiment
in the cotton States themselves was by no
means unanimous in approval of the Smith
Henry plan, with its $3.50, 900, 900 bond issue
aud it's incidental pauperization of a whole
section The Houston Post one Of the ablest
and most influential Of Texas newspapers,
discusses as follows the attitude OF Mr. Henry
and of Senator Sheppard Of that State. who
introduced some cotton relief legislation of
his own in the upper house:
Both Mr. Henry and Mr.. Sheppard
must have known that their attitude of
could not possibly prevail; that under
circumstances could Congress, pos
scssing intelligent comprehension of
the present financial problems of the
country, pursue course that could have
been productive only of disaster. And Ger
tainly both must have known that even
If Congress had been weak enough
pass the cotton relief bills. the Prcsi-
dent would havo been compelled by his
high sense of public obligation to veto
them.
What Mr.. Henry and the few who
have joined with him have accompl ished
has been nothing than
barrnss temporarily those who have
cssayed the task OF relieving the cotton
situation The President and Secrc-
tary NcAdoo. men of far greater insight
and knowledge, have proceeded along
rational lines, and that will be shown
with the opening of the Federal reserve
banks.
At any rate, Congress has adjourned,
without committing the country to this new
economic folly. That in itself is sufficient
cause for public congratulation and relief.
Policewomen and Thugs
D ALTIMORE has recently passed through
L lost Of re lica ycta