New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-09
OTHER PUBLIC LEGISLATION.

OF the session was the passage by congress "''''
the approval by the President on july Oh '"''
oint resolution for the annexation Oh na""''
TO the United States after long struesie wv 4,
ing which the opponents Of the measure iousn'
with desperate energy and long -endurins ~ ~
stinacv against overwhelming odds. MS
ended n controversy. which has held the az. .,
ton OF Congress for five years ana occupieu Coz CO..
thought of American statesmen ana so,"i.i ~.
two genera ions II Is probably doubtiui Whtthe
the neaccful ACQUISITION OF Hawaii would ma =
been achieved this year If 1T had no, zee" ~, nd
the war against Spain and the n,ntais IT,
naval occupation OF the Philippine ISLANDS Nv
latter was an object lesson which persuaoed d
numb,r Of Representatives and propaDy seo
eral Senator's to vote for the annexation IeSo-
luton who otherwise would not have done -
and II undoubtedly also weakened. 10 cohslu-
cradle extent the faith OF some OF the opponents
OF the resolution in the soundness ana Vandity
OF their obiections Some Of the friends or the
measure looked at the matter In dinerent
light however. and were fearful thar IL actioh
should be postponed. even until next wlii.e''
questions might arise in the mean tinie re-
snecting the nature extent and tenure OF AmerI-
can occupation and control In the Philippines
which would complcate the Hawaiian question
and perhaps indefinitely defer the ACTON Which
Congress has now taken.
A COMMISSION WITH THREE PROBLEMS.
An act OF legislation which may have I'M
portant and far-reachng results was the one
approved June IS 1898. authorizing the APP
pOintE.eIs or a non PARTISAN coihi"'S"'"' ~
collate information and consider and recon-
mend legislation to meet the problems presented
by labor. agriculture ap1 capital. The COM
mission is to consist OF five Senator'S five Repre-
sentatives and nine other persons. The men,
hers who are Senators are to be appointed by
the Vice President. the five Representatives by
the Speaker and the nine other members who
shall fairly represent the different industries
ptcr nv ho
advice and consent of the Senate. The COM
mission it to investigate questions pertaining to
immigration. labor. agriculture. manufacturing
and business and to suggest to Congress such
legislation as Ii may deem best on these SUBJ
jects and furnish such information and sug-
gest such laws as may be made a basis for
uniform legislation by the various States OF the
Union. in order to harmonic conflicting inter-
ests and to be equitable to the laborer. the en-
ployer. the producer and the consumer"
THE NEW BANKRUPTCY LAW.
On July l. 1898. the President approved IAN
act to establish a uniform system OF bank
ruptcy throughout the United States This
ended. for the time being. at least the legis-
latvc agitation and consideration Of a subject
which had been one of almost constant discus
sion and controversy from time anterior to
Major McKlnley's retirement from the House
of Representatives. For years the champions
and advocates OF two contrary theories Of bank
ruptcy legislation had been arrayed against
each other. never being able. H. indeed, they
were willing. to compare their differences and
discover basis on which they could all stand.
In fact. such basis was found. At last, but
after months OF constant. persevering effort the
conferrees OF the Senate and House OF Repre-
sentatives respectively. with a single exception.
did agree on a substitute bill. and that agree
ment was ratified by large majorites in both
branches OF Congress. 1t was gratifying to note
that the result was not marked In either branch
by division party lines The theory main
tanned by the majority of the House Commit
tee on the Judiciary prevailed in the end but
only after long years of debate and discussion
which ultimately resulted in the conversion Of
men who had held contrary views
NUMEROUS IMPORTANT ACTS.
When Congress reassembed in December ,ts
attention was called to the reports of dest,tu-
ton and starvation among tho prospcctors and
miners in the Yukon Valley. Alaska. and by an
act approved on the 18th Of that month the sum
OF 100000 was appropriated for their relief.
An act approved December 20 1897. prohibit
ed the killing Of far seals by American citizens
in the waters OF tho North Pacific Ocean and
any person OF fur seal skins in any form taken
ia said waters.
By provision IN deficiency appropriation
act. approved January % 1898. the sum NJ
100000 was appropriated IN continue tho work
OF the Nicaragua Canal Commission during tho
year 1899
The Increase Of traffic the Yukon River
Alaska. resulted among other things in the an
preparation Of $4,000 for suitable vessel for
the revenue-cuttcr service on that stream The
same cause resulted in tho enactment OF a law
approved February II. 1898. embodying i'm
portaht amendments to the navigation laws re-
lating 10 the coastwise trade. on May Il an
act approved extending the homestead laws
and providing for right Of way for railroads
wagon roads. aerial railways and tramwavs in
Alaska.
On March II an act approved dispensing
with proof Of loyalty during the War Of the Re-
bellion as a prerequisite in any application ror
bounty lands.
BY An act approved May 10 It was made law
full to send through the mails at the postao.
rate Of a cent apiece. 10 bc paid by n stamn q,
fixed by the sender. written messages on nrIv,t.
mailing cars 10 30 approximately Of tho sam.
form. quality and weight as the ordinary.
stamped postal card
Important amendments to the Interstate Cor,
merce law were enacted by the act approved
June ]. which prescribes the manner and pro.
vides the machinery for the arbitration and soft
Element Of controversies arising between COM
mon carriers and their employees, concerning
wages. hours OF labor. conditions OF cmplov.
ment. etc.
BY an act approved June 4 the President wa,
authorized TO appoint three commissioners To
revise the statutes relating to patents trade and
other marks and trade and commercial names
An act approved June q removed the disabIl-
ity imposed by Section of tho Fourteenth
Amendment to the Constitution OF the United
States.
\ Joint resolution approved April 81 1898 au-
har hn Il.,, Al