Evening journal., 1897-03-01

right over Rivers ana AarDors-W est
ern Senators Want Lands Restored.
WASHINGTON, March Speaker Reed
md the other Republican leaders Of the
house entered upon the final session OF
he Fifty-fourth congress with the avowed
leterm nation that no legislation which
compelled great expenditures of public
money should he enacted during the ses-
ion. They felt compelled to adopt this
bolicy because of the condition of the
treasury, and they have generally adhered
10 it, although the regular appropriation
bills for the support Of the government
have brought the total appropriations of
his congress far beyond the 81 900, 900, 600
nark, breaking the record of former con-
kresses. Many of the appropriations, nota-
by those for river and harbor improve
nents and for public buildings, were
necessary to continue works authorized by
lther congresses No public buildings have
,een started by this congress and no new
lattleships or vessels of any description,
Though the creation of a "new navy
legun several years ago has by no means
ieen abandoned. The intention of the
louse leaders at the beginning of the ses-
ion was to confine the work so far as pos
ible TO the appropriation bills and they
lave been successful in living up TO their
'olicy. These bills, moreover, have been
umbered with fewer new projects and
ess general legislation than usual
The last week of the session begins with
everal Of the appropriation bills not yet
assed by the senate Much of the time Of
hat body has been consumed in the dis
ussion Of the Cuban question, which the
ouse has dealt with only incidentally.
81 ho Of Ia, 70,
void new legislation which involved ex-
enditures has been enforced upon the SEN
to- The Nicaragua canal bill, which was
iscussed at great length IN the senate, but
lot voted on, was not taken up in the
louse, nor has the free home bill which
Il he senate passed had a hearing at the 9th
end of the capitol Tho Pacific railroad
unding bill met decisive defeat in the
ouse. SO the senate found It useless to dis
uss that proposition.
Many Pension Bills Passed.
One feature OF the sessions record
worthy Of note is the great number of pri-
ate pension bills passed, many of them
ilacing widows Of officers on the pension
oils at ratings ranging from $50 to SO
Month. Private claims and war claims,
n the other hand. have been few. Several
4 the pension bills were vetoed by Presi-
ent Cleveland, but congress enacted some
those despite the veto by the necessary
4 wo-thirds majority. Several important
Il ills are in the presidents hands awaiting
is action, foremost among them the i'm
y Migration BILL which establishes an edu-
& ational test for immigrants and bars out
lborers who maintain their homes in 9TH
countries.
The antiscalping bill may be submitted
Il the executive for his action within two
4 r three days. and since Senator Chandler
6 as given notice that he wtl move that
he senate accept the house amendments
81 the bill authorizing the president TO
X all an international monetary conference
81 is likely that President Cleveland will
n o given an opportunity to sign his name
81 D that. The bill for the reorganization Of
he Atlantic and Pacific Railroad compa-
y is also on the presidents desk.
One act written upon the statute books
his session is noteworthy as being the
FORK practically of one man. That is the
bt to reduce the cases In which the penal
Of death may be inflicted, movement
D which General Curtis of New York has
evoted the best efforts Of his congresslon-
career.
The abolition of the death penalty has
cen a long cherished enthusiasm with
ieneral Curtis. Now, after years Of agita-
ion of the subject he has succeeded in
rasing from the statute books all United
tates laws imposing the death penalty for
ther crimes than murder, rape, treason
piracy, and endowed juries with the
over TO stipulate whether or not capital
q unishment shall be inflicted for these
rlmes. An agitation by dramatists, COM
osers and theatrical managers has result.
d in securing a law at this session fixing
eayy penalties for public performances of
opyrighted dramatic or musical compost
ions and empowering all United States
ircuit courts to enforce the orders of any
uch court regarding these performances.
Interstate Commerce Laws.
The interstate commerce laws have been
xtended to prevent traffic in obscene lit
rature or articles designed for immoral
ses. The shipping laws have been amend
d to enable yachts belonging TO American
foreign clubs TO enter or clear from the
ustom houses without tonnage taxes, also
require naphtha OF electric boats of moro
, han 10 tons burden to be subjected TO all
SN equirements for Inspection and for PILOTS
~ nd engineers. new law conpels the
anne and draft of every registered vessel
- be marked on the sterG and bow. New
equations have been made FOR the COM
ensation of inspectors of steam vessels
* )r their travelling expenses. All persons
Tho make signal exertions in rescuing a
-recked ship or drowning person are.
- nder a law of this session eligible for the
fe saving medals which formerly were
iven only to the life saving crew men.
he friends of the Tennessee centennial
xposition of 1897 have succeeded in Sc
s uring an appropriation of sl40, 600 for q
ovornment building and exhibit, while
he Nebraska delegation is working to So
ure like recognition for the Omaha ex-
osition.
-. One Of the most important pieces Of
|S ublic land legislation permits the patent
ZEN lg Of lands containing petroleum or 9TH
&# E mineral oils under the mineral land
s. Avs. Another. extends to Jan. 1. 1899,
s. he time in which purchases may be made
FL the railroad grant lands forfeited to the
Overnment under the act of 1890, and an
ther confirms cash entries which have
81 X cen declared invalid because the lands
81 ntered were never offered for sale. Other
cts confirm titles of settlers in Gree coun-
\, o. T.; Mississippi settlers on SWAMP