Morris tribune., 1893-03-08
WORK Of CONGRESS-
WHAT WAS DOME AT THE LAST
SESSION.

Silver, the Tariff and Anti-Options
the Leading Topics Discussed-Re.
trenchmcnt in Expenditures Did
Not Cut Much cfa Figure.
WASHINGTON, March 6.-The silver
ard tariff question, the anti-option bill
and the reduction of appropriations
were the leading topics of consideration
by the Fisty-second congress, which ex-
pired by constitutional limitation at
noon Saturday. Secondary only in i'm
portance to these matters were meas
ures relating to the worlds fair, equip
ment of railroads with automatic car
couplers, national quarantine and i'm
migration, Rehring sea and Hawaiian
annexation. Nothing of an affirmative
nature except to prevent two items in
the Mckinley bill taking effect was ac-
tually accomplished SO far as respects
silver, the tariff or anti-options.
Retrenchment OF Expenditures
is not apparent in any considerable
| change in the aggregate appropriation
| bills for they amount to about as much
in the Fifty-frst congress, laws ON the
statute books preventing some large
reductions which otherwise would have
been made, while the decrease which it
was possible to effect was offset by in
creased appropriations for pensions and
rivers and harbors.
The silver question was kept steadily
before the attention of congress by the
alternate efforts of the advocates of
free coinage and Of the repeal of the
Sherman law. The coinage committee
Of the house in the first session reported
free silver bill, which after an excit-
ing debate was saved from defeat by
the casting vote of the speaker, but
was afterwards
Fillibustered to Death,
the friends of the bill failing to secure
the signatures of a majority of the
Democrats to q petition asking for
cloture rule in its behalf The senate
then passed free coinage bill, but
when the silver men renewed their
fight in the house they were outnum-
bered by IA votes and of course failed.
The anti-silver men met a similar fate
in their efforts to secure appeal of the |
law.
On the tariff the dominant party in |
the house adopted policy of attack
ing the Mckinley bill in detail largely |
for political reasons, and partly for the |
reason that in view of the political COM
plexion Of the senate it was practically
out OF the question to pass
General Revision of the Tariff Bill
while special measures might stand
some show CT pessage. The result was
the enactment into law of two bills
continuing block tin on the freelist and
fine linen ct So per cent. ad valprem.
Under the Mckinley bill large duties
in the near future. Other separate
bills were passed through the house
only to be pigeonholed in the senate.
The anti-option bill passed both
houses, but was killed by the refusal of
the house to suspend the rules and
agree by tvyo-thirds vote to the amend
ment3 put on the bill by the senate. The
pure food bill, the running mate of the
bill, passed the senate, but
was never able to get consideration in
the house.
The automatic car coupler bill, shorn
of its drastic features, was enacted into
law, as was also a national quarantine |
bill increasing the powers of the marine
hospital service to meet the threatened
dangers from cholera and an immigra-
ton law imposing additional reduction
on immigration, but not suspending it |
entirely.
The Behring Sea Trouble.
The senate averted trouble over the |
Behring sea fisheries by ratifying
treaty of arbitration It also ratified |
9xtradition treaties with Russia and
other countries, but still has before it a
.reatY OF annexation Of the Hawaiian
stands.
The opening of the Cherokee outlet
vas provided for in the Indian bill un-
ler a clause appropriations $8, ,295, OOO '
or its purchase from the Indians, $685.
100 to be paid in cash and $4,000, 900 in
i've equal annual installments. I
Approximately 425 house and 235 SEN
Lte bills and joint resolutions became
avs, making $50 acts c
Put on the Statute Books I
IS the result Of the work Of congress. A =
majority OF these measures were of in t
crest only to individuals or localities,
'eing for the relief Of citizens for the t
,ridging of streams, etc. Three bills
we're vetoed by the president. All were I
Il comparatively small importance. n
The pension and census Offices, the :
Whisky trust, Panama Canal and Pacific
Iail companies, the Watson Cobb o
hargos, the Pinkerton system and V
homestead troubles and the Maverick u
nd Spring Garden bank failures and :.
he Ellis island immigration station Il
we're investigated by congressional CONS
nittes, but nothing came out Of the re-
orts submitted. Il