The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1893-03-06
LABORS [ OF CONGRESS.
Legislation Enacted at the Late
Session.
No Laws of National Importance
Observation-Disclosures of the
Work of Departments.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

WASHINGTON, March 5.-The silver and
tariff questions, the anti-Option bill and the
reduction Of appropriations we're the lead
ing topics of consideration by the fiftv-
second Congress which expired Yesterday.
and secondary only in Importance to these
matters were the measures relating to the
Worlds Fair. the equipment of railroads
with automatic car couplerS, national quar-
antine and immigration, Bering Sea and
Hawaiian annexation.
Nothing of an affirmative nature, excapt
to prevent two items in the Mckinley bill
taking effect, was actually accomplished.
The result Of the agitation for the retrench-
ment of expenditures is not apparent In
any considerable change in the aggregate of
the appropriations. The condition of the
public treasury undoubtedly prevented the
authorization Of many proposed new ex-
penditures. A nOtH BILE instance is seen in
the fact that not a single public building
bill passed the House, and it was only by
putting a number of them on the sundrv
civil ppropriation bill that any auhoriza-
tions whatever for public buildings were
secured.
The silver question was kept steadily be-
fore the attention of Congress by the alter
nate efforts of the advocates Of free coinage
and If the repeal of the Sherman law, both
of whom, however, failed in their object.
On the tariff the dominant party in the
House adopted the policy of attacking the
Mckinley bill in detail largely because the
political complexion of the Senate put it
practically out of question TO pass a general
tariff revision bill. The result was the en-
actmen: into law of two bills continuing
block tin on the free list and fine linen at 50
per cent ad valOrem. Other separate bills
were passed through the House, only to be
pigeon -holed in the Senate.
The ant-opton bill passed both houses.
but was killed by the refusal to suspend the
rules and agree by two-thirds vote TO the
amendments put on the bill by the Senate.
: The pure food bill, running mate of the
anti-option measure, passed the Senate, but
was never able to get consideration in the
House.
The Worlds Fair legislation comprised
grant of 81, 600 900 in souvenir half-dollars
In aid of the fair, the closing of its gates on
Sundays, appropriations In various amounts
for different fair purposes, and the passage
of sundry acts OF special nature and
minor Importance.
The automatic car-coupler bill, shorn of
its drastic features, was enacted into law,
as was also the national quarantine bill in
.creasing the powers of the Marine Hospital
service to meet the threatened dangers from
cholera. and the immigration law, imposing
additional restrictions on immigration, but
not suspending it entirely.
The Senate concluded its labors anent the
Bering Sea seal fisheries by ralifylng the
treaty of arbitration. 1t also ratified the
extradition treaties with Russia and other
countries, hut still has before it the treaty
OF annexation with tile Hawaiian Islands.
The opening of the Cherokee outlet was
provided for in the Indian bill under n
clause appropriating SS,c95, 600 for its pur-
chase from the Indians, S295, 600 to be paid
in cash and $4,000 coo in five equal install
menis.
Approximately 425 House and 935 Senate
bills and joint resolutions became laws,
making 600 acts put on the statute books as
the result OF the work Of Congress. The