The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-03-12
WHY 1T IS WELL CONGRESS
SHOULD ADJOURN.

The national legislature adjourns at
noon today in the midst Of notable
circumstances, not only having been
in practically continuous session for
two years, ever since the inauguration
of the present administration, but also
without recess during the closing
days and nights, this uninterrupted
sitting being a result of the prolonged
struggle over the ship purchase bill.
incidentally, a remarkable demon
stration Of the basic soundncss and
fidelity of American public life is that
necessarily by only a few members
working in phalanXes, should be ac-
companied by no whisper of scandal
or sordid advantage The sole con-
troversv los hinged around questions
of public policy, and although around
two billions Of dollars h a S
been appropriated in this man
ner there is no suspicion hut
that vcrey penny Of it has
been appropriated to the public serv-
ice. The issues have been over suN-
tanning the committee budgets as to
disputed items and while no legisla-
ton should ever be accomplished in
that hasty manner and by small
minorities Of both houses. it is fair to
say that the proposals had previously
been thoroughly digested and recon
ciled in committee and such errors as
have occurred were errors of judg-
ment and not Of motive.
The uncertainty as to whether there
should be an extra session on the ship
purchase bill has been resolved in the
negative, for the present at least, and
there are not wanting some good rea-
sons why congressman should be left
to adjourn and return to their homes
after today's sitting is over.
The advocates and friends Of peace
the world over know that President
Wilson and his cabinet are to be de-
pended upon to the utmost limit of
patience and endurance when it comes
to maintaining peace and keeping the
alton outof enangling alliances. 1t
is doubtful where men better
equipped for this great and timely
service to humanity could have been
found in the world than we now have
in charge of our ship Of state. They
took charge at the very time when the
services of wise and sturdy and brave
peacemakers were demanded. and be.
ginning with the revolution in Mexico
and intensified by the mortal struggle
in Europe, their tremendous task has
grown continually and has become
more difficult every day. People who
arc not miSlcd by their fears or Their
preludices know just what President
Wilson and his advisers are going tc
stand for even in case OF most serious
provocation.
II is but fair to give the present
congress credit for the performance
OF some great and difficult tasks, and
FOR its fairness and fidelity to the
president, II would not be altogcthcr
easy for even the sudden uprising o.
an cnragcd populacc to throw the
present congress OFF its balance, a.
former congresses have been run
wild by the sinking of single shin OF
even by slight insult to Old Glory
at the wrong time of the moon. Blu
It would doubtless be easier to excite
and enrage and involve congress
influenced largely by a powerful par
tiS&n opposition, and responding read
lly to the first war-whoops at thu
forks of the creek than il would b,
to upset the equilibrium and destro,
the sanity of the president and hi
harmonious and sympathetic advisers
President Mckinley was a peace
loving man. yet he could not with
stand congress run wild bv the popu
lar uproar caused by the loss OF tn
Maine. OF course, we may not hav
any such Indictment to vengeance il
the present instance, but surely no in
telligcnt reader can doubt that condi
lions are critical in both Eurone an,
Mexico. 1t is at least probable tina
even the president himself has bee
brought to the conclusion that i
would he unwiSe TO call an extra SEES
sion OF congress at the present tim
by the startling developments of III
last month in the war zones by whic
we are surrounded, and nv which on
peace is now so seriously >threatcne
nv professional iingoes as well as b
the armies and navics of dozen ma
tons