The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1896-06-08
Why Congress Has Accom-
pliShed So Little.
Finances and the Tariff Have
Both Been Ignored.
Long Discussions That Have Not
Much to Show In Results.

Washington. June s.--If. as now seems
probable. the first session of the Fifty
fourth congress adjourns this week. IL
Will be the shortest So called long session
since that OF the Thirty-fifth congress.
and one OF the shortest in the history OF
the government. This record is probably
partly due 10 the political difference be-
tween the senate, house and president.
which have forestalled agreements on
many lines OF legislation. and partly 10
the determination with which the Re-
publican leaders In the house have car
ried into effect Speaker Reeds caucus
prediction, that the congress would be
do-nothing assemblage. Legislation
means appropriations, the house leaders
have said, and as their opinion was that
the treasurys condition warranted no
appropriation, except the most impera-
lively necessary. they have held the
doors tightly shut against all classes OF
bills which usually receive hearings.
Foremost among the inevitable regular
acts Of the congress are the annual APP
preparation bills for the support of the
government. Their preparation has con-
stituted large part of the work of the
session. and five of them are yet hanging
between the house and the senate.
For this reason II Is impossible to give
I've exact totals of the bills on the grand
total of appropriations made by this con-
gress. which aggregate about $500, ,000,-
600. but the disbursements authorized
during the session will be discussed here
after by Chairman Cannon of the appro-
priations committee, and ex-Chairman
Sayers. from the points OF view OF their
fftFa arft. I'D saI
legislation OF any character was aban-
doned for all practical purposes, when
the disagreements between the house
and senate were demonstrated by the
fate of the two bills prepared by the
house ways and means committee.
One OF the most bitterly contested
fights which has occurred has cropped
out in the provisions OF the Indian and
the District of Columbia bill for aid to
church schools, feature which still
holds both bills in conference. The In
dian bill contains provisions, giving the
homestead settlers on all ceded Indian
reservations an extension of one year i'm
which to make payments, and for the
completion of the surveys OF land in
IndNn territory.
Incidental to the legislative, executive
and judicial bill was an entire revision
OF the salaries OF United States district
attorneys. marshals and commissioners,
with the stipulation that the terms of
offices of all commissioners expire on
June So 1897. The agricultural bill con-
ferred upon the president authority to
suspend the prohibition against impor-
tations of cattle, domestic animals and
hides, on the certihcation Of the secre-
tery Of agriculture that countries or
parts of countries are free from conta-
gious or infectious diseases of animals,
and authorized the president to take
steps 20 secure the abrogation Of the
regulations by Great Britain, prohibit
ing the importation OF cattle from the
United States into that country alive.
In the sunGry civil bill the most i'm
portant legislation is TO make effective
the Carey arid land act, (Which ceded
arid lands % the public land states for
rcclamation) BY authorizing the states
10 give liens on the land 10 avert ex-
renses of reclamation.
The most noteworthy legislation per-
tanning 70 the navy is contained in the
appropriation bill, The house provided
for 10 new torpedo boats and for four
battleships but the senate reduced the
-
conference is pending over that differ
ence. The bill made provision for the
enlistment Of 1000 additional seamen. 1t
also made unlawful the employment OF
naval or marine officers On the active or
retired lists OF parties furnishing sup
plies or materials of war TO the govern
ment. a special resolution authorized
the acceptance by the government of
.t.g.
meet the speed requirements of the
contract, but which satisfied the de-
partment, being largely an experimental
craft. The naval reserve system was
strengthened by plan designed to draft
vessels engaged in the coastwise trade
into the service In time Of war. An act
was passed to establish a naval training
station on Yerba Buena Cor Goat ISL
and), in San Francisco harbor. Tho
secretary was empowered TO accept
certified checks In lieu Of bonds from
contractors for naval supplies.
No special legislation was contained in
the army appropriation bill Special bills
were passed, however. creating the posi-.
tion of chaplain (who will also be profes-
sor of history geography and ethcs),
and an assistant professor OF the same
DIdnCheS dl w est ioiiit dcdueHly, max
ing the national military parks fields for
maneuvers by the national guard or
militia. and a resolution appointing Cen
erals w T.. Franklin OF Connecticut,
Thomas J. Henderson OF Illinois. Repre-
sentative Steele of Indiana and George
J.. Beal of Maine. members OF the board
of managers for the national soldiers
home.
or tariff and financial legislation, this
congress, as was said, has accomplished
none. With safe margin OF free silver
votes in the senate, and majority OF
nearly TO l against silver In the house