The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1889-03-04
WORK on TllH CONGRLSS.
A Memorable BODY, Taking Its HIGtory all
Through-The Now Laws.


WASHINGTON, D. c., March 3.-Un.
doubtedly the most noteworthy act Of
the Fiitieth Congress, which closes at
noon tomorrow, las been the passage
Of the act by which there will be an ad.
dition OF four new stars on the field Of
blue OF tue American National Colors.
The Congress has been in many respects
a remarkable one, and in its length hqs
exceeded that OF any previous Congress.
II has been characterized by some sharp
and acrimonious debates, and on several
occasions personalities have been ex.
changed OF a character more bitter and
exasperating than polite. The first ses-
sion was made unusually interesting by
the fact that Il National election was near
at hand aud that the lines OF both par.
ties were closely drawn, with the leaders
watching eagerly for every opportunity
that might give them IN advantage,
however slight, in the approaching con.
test. Although the measure which
caused the prolongation OF the first ses-
sion fell into the autumn and to a time
beyond all precedent, failed OF enacts
ment and resulted in nothing save a
mighty torrent OF debate, the Congress
has nevertheless achieved a considerable
amount Of work.
More bills have Been introduced and
more enacted into laws than during any
other Congress. In the matter Of vetoes,
tho heretofore unsurpassed record OF
tho Fvrty.ninth Congress has been
beaten - President Cleveland disap.
proving more bills during the last two
years OF his administration than during
the first two. He has vetoed, directly,
27S bills, III more than all his prede.
cessois combined, from Washington
down, while number OF measures have
been subjected TO what is called the
pocket veto-that is, they failed 10 be.
come laws, because tho President did
not sign them and because the sessions
OF Congress expired before the Constitu.
tional limitation OF 10 days was up
within which the President Is required
10 express his disapproval. Fourteen
bills failed 10 become laws in this man.
ner at the close OF the first session OF the
present Congress.
TIE WORK IN DETAIL.
beginning on the first Monday in Do.
cember, 1887, the Flitieth Congress con.
tinued practically uninterruptedly in
session until the 20th OF October, 1888,
when Il adjourned to meet for tho sec.
ond session III December, and to con.
tinue until March 4, 1880, as required
by law. During tho two sessions there
have been introduced In tho House
1860 bills, or l,400 more than in the
preceding Congress, and POS joint reso.
iutoaS, or 8 more than In the Forty.
ninth Congress. Committee reports
have been inade 10 the number oil
416i. III the Senate 3,00S bills and
|lil Joint resolutions have been intro.
duccd, against 3,357 bills and llS reso.
lutions during the Forty.ninth Congress,
which broke all previous records In this
respect. There were 2,7O0 written 70.
ports made or over 700 In excess OF the
preceding Congress. OF oil these bills
and joint resolutions ! l,7Ol became laws,
OF which number ], 100 originated In tho
House and COL In the Senate. The
President also sent veto messages In the
case Of 90 House and A Senate bills, OF
IA more yetoes than were made during
tho previous Congress.
OF the House bills which became laws
S32 we're private bills and 35S measures
OF public character. All otthU ninety.
nine House bills vetoed except eight
wero either private pension or RELIEF
bills. The eight public bills arc as fol.
lows. To Quit title Of settlers on the
Desmoines river land In Iowa; for lhC
sale OF Indian lands In Kansas, for The
disposal Of the Fort Wallace military
reservation In Kansas auLhorlSing the
Improvement Of Castle island, Boston
hafbor for the CertlhCallon Of lands Ia
the State Of Kansas for the benefit OF az
rlCultufal and mechanical arts for the
erection Of public buildings at Column
bus, Ga, Allentown, Pa, Council Blulls
Iowa, and Bar HArbor, Me.
NEW LAWS,
Some Of tho more important liouSt
bills which have become laws are as fol
lOwsi
For q conference oigoulh and Centra
American Nations In Washington In Ma
' lexti 10 divide the great Sioux resefya