The Madison daily leader. [volume] (Madison, S.D.) 1890-current, 1916-12-21

BY ARTHUR w. DUNN.
Washington, Dec. 20.-lShecial. +
That the senate was not ready to do
much business In the early part ot
the session has been Shown by the
in which 1t has beer putting I'm
time. In the first place, considerable
time was given to the corrupt prac-
tees bin, which was finally returned
to the committee to be r%emodeled.
Then anne the immigration bill, a
measure which IL In believed will not
become a law at this session. Even
after 1t passes it will be vetoed unless
President Wilson has changed his mind
since a bill embodying almost the same
provisions was sent to him. That II
cannot pass over his veto IL generally
conceded. Then there Is the bill for
prohibition In the District of Columbia.
1t Ia very doubtful IL that bin can
pass by itself, although 1t might be
passed as a part of the District appro-
prlation bill. All these bills were talk.
ed about In the senate, which shows an
indication to kill time.
More Important Measures.
The senate will be more active when
the more important measures are
reached. The railroad legislation to
carry out the presidents recommends.
lions will come under that head, also
any legislation which may be intended
to reduce the present high cost OF liy-
ing. As to that subject, no one seems
quite ready with any practical plan.
one which not only will pass congress-.
but win do some good. 1t is expected
that some action will be taken along
this line before the session ends.
Military Training.
There Is still a strong demand for
universal military training, soldiers so
trained to form "A reserve for tho army.
That Is too big a proposition to pass In
a short session OF congress. More than
that, our people will not take kindly
to any such measure unless they are
shown a greater necessity than N now
apparent. 1t Is well to remember that
President Wilson found 1t necessary to
eouA thE Notiitig anu WHiH Aut ptOIle
OF the imminent danger OF the United
States-from some power not yet nam
ed-before he could put through his
army and navy preparedness plan of
last session. Before the people will
consent to universal military service
they will again have to be urged In as
strong terms by the president.
More Money Needed.
The indications are that as long as
the troops are kept on the border more
money will be needed than present rev
enues will supply. Just how the money
Is to be raised no one seems to know.
but there is talk Of a bond issue. In
these times Of great money making 1t
seems rather strange that the richest
government of the world must resort to
bond issues to pay Its expenses. Per-
haps Uncle Sam Is like some OF the
others and not sharing In the war pros
perity.
Almost at an End.
The explanations Of the recent cleo
tion are almost at an end. A few men
can get others to listen to them while
they tell how 1t happened, but as a gem
eral thing q man will lose his audience
as soon as he begins to talk about the
election OF 1915. Hereafter the result
will be discussed more rs a matter OF
reference than In the way Of explana-
ton. Not long ago several Republicans
were talking about the election and
were interrupted by Congressman Sher-
ley OF Kentucky. who remarked:
oh, forget it!'
Stopping the War.
Although many members Of congress
are rather anxious to have the war In
Europe end, 1t Is not likely that either
house will take the initiative In passing
resolutions relating to that subject.
The general opinion Is that President
Wilson will take the first opportunity
that offers to bring about peace and
that he will know long before members
OF congress whether such a proposition
would be acceptable to the warning ma
tons. Resolutions will be introduced
and there will be peace speeches by in
dividual members, but congress as q
whole will keep Its hands on foreign
affairs.
Mexico Not an Issue.
Mexico Is not such an issue as If II
was In the days before adjournment.
The opinion seems to be that, among
other things which the election settled.
was that the people did not want inter.
vention and consequent war with Mex.
leo. Had the Republicans won the
election WI might have heard criticism
Of the Mexican policy.
Third Term Denial.
Henry Nj. Pindell of Peoria. ILL.,, who
once gained considerable fame as a pos
sible ambassador to Russia, is the first