The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1895-03-02

plished by tho short session was that
making appropriations for tho support of
the government. Not little general leg
islation was Incorporated into the appro-
priation bills, and the efforts to engraft
amendments upon them increased as tho
days of congress lessened, and the failure
of special meas ures became certain, so that
the fate OF some Of the bills seemed to be
threatened
These bills, in the order in which they
were passed by the house, were: For the
Military academy West Point, army,
pension, Notifications. diplomatic and
consular, District of Columbia, postal. Az
ricultural, Indian sundry civil, legisla-
tive executive and judicial, naval and
general deficiency. When the last week
of congress began, the house had passed all
except the general deficiency, and the sem
ate had the last four yet to consider.
The pension BILL as enacted, contained
provisions that pensions shall not be paid
20 non-residents who are not citizens of
the United States, except for actual dis
abilities incurred in the service, directing
examining surgeons TO state the ratings
10 which they think the applicants are en-
sion at 81 a month.
The diplomatic and consular bill In.
creased the salaries of several foreign rep
resentatives. and the senate placed in it
an amendment authorizing the president
To contract for laying cable between the
Hawaiian Islands and the United States,
an amendment which the house refused to
accept and which brought on n deadlock
between the conferrees of the two bodies.
The postal bill was so amended by the
senate that it practically nullifled recent
order by the postmaster general that rail-
way mail clerks should reside on the line
OF the route to which they were assigned.
Cattle Inspection.
The agricultural bill empowered the
secretary of agriculture to enforce rules
for the inspection of live cattle whose
meat is intended for shipment abroad in
any form, and regulations to prevent the
shipment OF condemned carcasses abroad
or from one state to another, and fixed
heavy penalties for violation Of such reg
ulations. 1t also authorized the president
TO direct correspondence with Great
Britain TO secure tho ahrogatlon of regu-
lations compelling the slaughter at the
ports of entry of all cattle shipped to that
country.
The Indian bill provided for opening
the lands of the Wichita Indians in Okla
homa to settlement, and directed that the
claims of the Choctaw and Chickasaw In
dians to the lands be submitted to the
court of claims within 90 days.
Considerable legislation was included
I'm the sundry civil bill. The completion
Of several public buildings was provided
for in tho bill. Provision was included
for several new lighthouses; for revenue
steamer, 10 cost Sl25 000 for use on the Pa
cific coast, and for n payment of $4,000 to
the heirs of each of the "a victims of the
Ford's theater disaster A senate amend
ment to the bill, which Is not likely to
succeed, authorizes the secretary of the
treasury to issue certificates OF Indebted
ness TO meet current expenditures to the
amount OF 500, 000 900, and provides that
all bonds shall be offered to the public and
sold to the highest bidder
The principal legislative provisions in
the legislative bill were for securing uni
formity and safety in the bonds OF United
States officials.
The New Navy.
The naval bill was notable because of
the "new navy provision for three battle
ships and 12 torpedo boats, and the in
crease OF the enlisted force by the addi.
tion of 1000 men.
The general deficiency bill reported to
the house amounted TO $6,5l9539. An
amendment requested by the secretary of
state TO pay the claims Of Great Britain
for 1926, 900 damages for seizures of sealers
in Behring sea was voted down by tho
house.
Three other deficiency bills were passed
in this sesslon--a printing bill for 500, 600,
enacted Dec, "a; bill for S400, 600 for COM
pleting the 1lth census, Dec. "a, and one
for general deficiencies, enacted Jan. 25.
The most conspicuous personal legisla-
ton passed was the revival OF the grade of
lieutenant general of the army that Major
General Schofieid might be promoted to
the rank as a recognition Of his services.
Perhaps more bills pertaining to public
land laws were introduced than Of any
other class.
Marine Legislation.
The Seamen's union has been active In
the advocacy Of the bill to amend the
laws relative to shipping commissioners
which does away with penal punishments
for violation of shipping contracts by
sailors engaged In the coastwise trade or
shipping TO sail between the United States
and ports in Canada, Newfoundland, the
West Indies and Mexico and exempts the
clothing of seamen from attachment.
A lifesavine station was established at
City Point, Boston harbor; light, fog
signal and beacon on the Kennebec river
IN Maine. American registers were
granted TO. the steamers Claribel, Athos
and Empress, the barks Linda and Archer
and the barkontine James III. Hamlen.
Many bridge bills were enacted
The Commercial Travellers organization
secured an amendment TO the Interstate
commerce law permitting tho issuance OF
joint interchangeable 50O0 mile tickets.
good over more than one road
These Measures Failed.
Returning 70 the attempted legislation
that failed. mention OF important bills
which were passed by one house and re-