The Somerset herald. [volume] (Somerset, Pa.) 1870-1936, 1891-03-11
WHAT CONGRESS DID.

The Fifty first congress in the opinion Of
many veteran legislators the most reinarka
bic congress since the war came TO an end
by constitutional Limitation. From first to
last the sessions were interesting and event
full, and for no long period were they ever
characterized by dullness which occasionally
for days at time marks the proceeding Of
nearly every congress, and especially ofthose
congresses in which the arst session is
usually prolonged.
The actual working time Of the Fifty-frst
congress exceeded that of any OF its pr de-
cessors and the nominal working time of all
except the fiftieth congress, and in number
OF measures brought 20 its attention and
number. variety and importance Of these
acted on il likewise surpassed sll previous
congresses.
This working Of the business feature was
perhaps the most distinguishing character
istic of the iiiiy-frst congress. il seems
more remarkable when the magnitude,
character and long pending of many Of the
topics considered are taken into account
Three measures, any of which in intrinsic
importance and popular interest, would be
sufficient for a national issue, stand forth
pre-eminent among all Others. First, the
Mckinley tariff bill, which became a law
second the silver bill. on which in the first
session a compromise was effected, based on
the monthly purchase Of 10000 ounces Of
silver, which in turn was followed by more
radical measure that failed of passage, and
third, the federal elections bill, viii, b, after
protracied, bitter, hotly fought and in
tensely exciting preliminary struggle, failed
in the senate to reach decisive vote on its
merits
The radical innovations IN ibe Fales q, the
house added interest to its proceedings aud
determined but fruitless efforts to adopt the
most vital OF these innovations formed
part Of the history Of the latter part OF the
sessions OF the senate. Even in its mortu-
airy record the congress was remarkable, the
call of death having summoned no fewer
than twelve Of its Representatives and three
Of its senators. Many of the bills enacted
into laws appropriated al unusually large
amount of money and the expenditures au-
thorized will exceed those Of any previous
congress since the foundation OF the govern
ment.
The total appropriations made BY the Fif-
tieth congress were During the frst session,
SS95, ,3s7 ,5l6. and during the second session,
So, ,0e6, ,34S, or an aggregate Of ssh, $50 $50.
while the appropriation for the first session
Of the Fifty-hrst congress were $3.50. .Gl7 ,sg7,
and those Of the second session will probably
bring the total appropriations for this con-
gress TO billion dollars.
Acomparison Of the works Of the con
gress Just closed with that of its immediate
predecessor makes the following exhibit ;
Bills introduced-in the house, in the Fifty
frst congress. 1908, against in the Fiftieth
congress. 1864. an increase Of !, ,319; joint
/ resolutions 279 an INCREASE Of ten senate
bills. 5,I29, against 1000. or an increase OF
1 l,Ie9 joint resolutions l6s, an increase OF
"a; bills passed by the house Las, Of which
1913 became law. and by the senate .305
bills, Of which 075 became laws making the
total number Of laws during the Fifiy-frsi
congress 2,lss, as against 1884 in the Fiji
tieth congress, an increase of J62. The sen
ate also postponed indefinitely GIG senate
and ls house bills. this being equivalent tC
defeat. During the Fiftieth congress l6l
bills were vetoed and during the Fifty fins
congress IA
In addition TO this work there were eigh
teen contested election cases. The hOus,
seated eight Of the republican contestant.
and declared the seat Of a democrat, Breck-
enridge, Of Arkansas. vacant Two case,
Goodrich We Bullock, from Florida, and
McGinnis VS.. Anderson from West Virgins
in which the committee recommended the
seating OF the republican contestants wert
not disposed Of by the house and the elec
tion committee itself never acted on th'
Eaton VS.. Phelan. OF Tennessee, case. Th'
senate disposed Of its contested election case
by sestiDg the two republican senators from
Montana.