Lincoln County leader. [volume] (Toledo, Lincoln County, Or.) 1893-1987, 1896-06-25
FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS
Resume OF the Important Business of
tho Session.

session for period of thirty years. OF
the measures which become laws. the
most important from an international
standpoint, was the bill creating the
commission ''to determine the true
divisional line between Venezuela and
British Guiana" OF scarcely less
general interest were the bills prohibit
ing prizefighting in the territories; per-
mltting appointments in the navy and
army OF former United States officers
who served in the rebellion and max
ing one years residence in territory
prerequisite to obtaining divorce
there.
Excepting these, however, the re-
mainder of the 225 bills and resolutions
which received the presidents approval
were not of character to deserve ex-
tended mention. The more important
were the bills incorporating the nation.
al society Of the Daughters of the
Revolution, opening the forest reserva-
tlons in Colorado, for the location of
mining claims; regulating proof of
death ia pension cases; providing for
naval training school in San Francisco
harbor; making it unlawful to shoot at
any railway train or any person there
ON, or to throw missiles into such
train, and repeating clause 81 of the
tariff law providing for a rebate on
alcohol used in the arts.
If the session, however, was con-
splcuous by reason of its brevity and
the limited number of important laws
enacted, it resulted in the introduction
OF larger number of bills in the house
during any similar period for quar-
ter of century. The total number of
bills introduced during the entire last
congress was 8,987, of which 4,4O5
were introduced during the first ses-
sion, which corresponds to the session
now closed and in which latter the ag-
gregate reached $500. Of these 2,8OO
were favorably reported by the com.
mittees to whom they were referred,
and scores of them are likely to be
brought to the attention of the house
next winter. ,-.~
The Nicaragua bill was one of these
measures. After many months of con-
slderatlon in the committee, it received
a favorable report in the face of an alb
solute certainty that it would not be
taken up during this session. The bill
to llquidate the Indebtedness of the Pa
cific railways to the government is an
other far-reaohing measure, which was
also upon the calendar with favorable
report, but which for prudential rea.
sons will continue to slumber there
The popular interest in the Cuban
revolution was shown in the large
number of resolutions, more than fifty
In all, that were introduced and refer.
red to the committee on foreign affairs.
After careful consideration, a concur
rent resolution was reported, for which
was subsequently substituted, in con-
ference, the senate resolution express
ing the sympathy of the United States
with the insurgents, recognizing their
belligelency and calling upon the presi.
dent to use his good offices to secure the
independence of the island.
Measures for which there has been
q widespread demand that have passed
the house and will probably receive
consideration from the senate next ses.
sion, include the bankruptcy bill, the
Mccall bill, providing an educational
test for immigrants, the labor commits
sion and labor arbitration bills and the
bill simplifying the rules of the pension
office so as to facilitate the adjustment
OF private pension cases.
The early weeks of the session were
busy period for the ways and means
committee. OF the 1877 measures refer.
red to it, thirty were acted upon. Two
of the greatest Importance were the
bond and revenue bills. The bond bill
passed the house. was sent to the senate
and returned with the addition of an
amendment providing for the free coin.
age of silver. The revenue bill died in
the senate committee on finance.
Among other measures of interest re.
ported by the ways and means COM
mittee were the bills permitting the
killing of all the fur seals in Alaskan
waters; the "flled cheese" bill and the
bill amending the law permitting a re.
bate on alcohol used in the arts.
The committee on invalid pensions
broke all previous records for work.
Upwards of 2,S00 bills were referred
to it, of which 700 private bills were
reported to the house Among the
measures reported in addition to those
which passed the house, were bills Civ.
ing members of state militia a pension.
able status; granting pensions to re-.
married war widows; broadening the
scope OF the law pensioning army
nurses; increasing the pensions of
those who lost limbs in the service and