Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-07-11
The Work Of conqress.


gressional session just closed shows
that more important legislation has
been enacted and more history making
matters passed upon than at any ses-
sion in the past third of a century. 1t
was historically significant and inn
pressive that at the time of the final
adjournment President Mckinley con-
veyed to Congress his congratulations
upon it's patriotic and faithful work.
The session will be remembered both
for the amount and the Importance OF
its work 1t has been marked by
an unusually large number of able
speeches, and more intense and impress
sive outbursts of patriotism than the
oldest member had ever witnessed
there before. The Republicans have
had large majority in the House, and
in the Senate plurality sufficient for
practical purposes, and there has
been harmony in their ranks and with
the administration. Their work has
added a grand chapter to the party
history, strengthened the party, and
assured its success in the coming cleo
lions. On rare occasions the Demo-
Gratis have put their patriotism above
their craftsmanship and have Joined the
IN, l,o I'D ;,,ic
tration and working for the welfare of
the country, but as rule they have
followed their old tactics of petty OPP
position, for the sole sake of opposing,
seeking to embarrass and handicap
the President, putting craftsmanship
above all else, and destroying what
ever chances of success their party
had in the "off-year' elections.
The session just closed was the sec
ond of the present Congress. During
its first session, which was convened
by proclamation of the President 20
meet revenue eXigcncics, the Dingley
law was made and placed upon the
statute books. This session began last
December. and has been just seven
months long. For the first few months
the war fever was high and it has
been, first and last. a war Congress,
the bankruptcy law being the only
great measure dealing solely with in
ternal affairs. The annexation of
Hawaii would alone make the session
memorable. for it is the first movement
for territorial expansion since the pur-
chase of Alaska, so years ago, and it
marks a new era of national progress.
Though coming in the heart of war
| and undoubtedly FASTENED by the vic
tory of cur fleet in the far East, the
annexation of Hawaii was not a war
| measure, for events have been Sradu-
ally and surely leading UP to it for the
| past half century.
| Besides the general legislation of any
| peace Congress and a great amount of
! minor war legislation, there We're en-
! acted numerous great war measures
| that were made necessary by our first
European war since 1872. After pass
| ing the Cuban resolution, April ~, it
| provided for q large increase in the
navy and in the regular army, and the
| President was authorized to call any
number Of volunteers. by virtue of
which authority he has already called
for 100000 men. 1t has passed revenue
measures to provide the necessary
means to carry on the war. A bill
was passed which will. according to the
late estimates, yield 5000 900, 600 a year.
The secretary of the treasury was Civ
en- authority to issue three per cent
bonds to the extent of $500, 00o. 000 and
to borrow short time money for emer
Eency UP to 500, 900 600 Direct an
| preparation of money for war purposes
was made amounting to $SG1 ,000, 900 ac-
cordinS to the statement made by
Chairman Cannon on the floor of the
NA'''-'~ 'hio OIL lNi HOpil. lliulTtCI apprO-
prlation for war purposes will carry the
total up to nearly $500 900 600 Appro-
priations for $4l2, 900 900 were made for
ordinary purposes, and the total cxpen-
diturcs authorized at the present
regular session of Congress foot up
$S92,o0o 600, the largest total of any
session since the Civil War.
The recess will continue until De
cember and then Congress will as
Semble for its third and last session
The members richly merit the rest and
change of scene they will now eniov
lof lew months. 1t is hoped that
when they next assemble the peace
will prevail for which this war was
fought. and that not for MANY hannv
decades to come will an American
Congress be called upon to do the war
work which has been SO well done at
the session just closed
|
The promotion of Teddy Roosevelt
to be colonel of the Rough Riders
While Colonel Wood becomes a brira-