The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1899-02-27

Continued from Page One.)
merce committee reported an amended
form Of the Hepburn bill as an
amendment to the river and harbor
bill. 1t is expected that the final sue
cess or failure of the project will not
be known until the closing hours of the
session.
Other Measures.
The bill providing for taking the 18th
census was first passed by the senate,
and provided comprehensive plan for
executing this important work. When
the measure reached the house a sub
stitute was passed The house measure
differs from that of the senate mainly
in making the census bureau an indie
pendent organization not under the in
terror department and in the method
of appointment
An important measure which has
passed both houses and doubtless will
become law is known as the naval
personnel bill, and is entitled a bill to
reorganize and increase the efficiency
of the personnel of the navy and marine
corps. Its main features We're drawn
up by board of eminent naval officers,
and We're designed to overcome the
Stagnation in some of the grades to
expand the personnel to keep pace with
the uphuilding of the navy and to reor-
ganlZe the marine corps. 1t passed the
house and senate in amended form and
is passing through the final stages of
conference.
The Hawaiian bill was presented to
both branches of congress, having been
framed by the Hawaiian commission
appointed by the president with a view
to carrying out the congressional resO-
luton annexins Hawaii. 1t provides a
comprehensive plan of territorial gov
eminent and fixes the qualification of
electors and officers. The bill has not.
however, passed either branch of con-
gress. and although regarded as one of
the most important pieces of pending
legislation, it is hardly expected that it
can pass all the stages at this late day
in the session. In view of this several
bills dealing with special phases in Ha-
wall have passed one or the other
house. These include bills to extend the
custom and revenue laws to Hawaii
extending the navigation laws to Ha-
wall, and extending to the Hawaiian
islands the contract labor laws of the
United States. None of those has be-
come a law, as they are dependent
largely on the future of the general
Hawaiian bill.
What is known as the anti-scalping
bill has attracted much interest and oc-
branches of congress. 1t was the first
piece of general legislation passed by
the house at this session, but it's con-
sideration in the senate has been at
tended by numerous delays, it being
displaced recently as the unfinished
business in order to take up the army
reorganization bill.
The Shipping Bill.
Another measure of Importance to
the commercial and shipping classes IS
known as the shipping bill. 1t was in
PRODUCED in the senate by Mr.. Hanna
and in the house by Mr.. Payne and is
pending in both houses. 1t provides a
| system of bounties to American steam
and sailing vessels, dependent on ton
| mage and distance covered and also
| makes merchant vessels an auxiliary
! force to the navy in time of war 1t is
I on the calendar of both houses with its
| future in doubt owing to the short time
| remaining. The general legislation Of
| the session which has advanced to its
| final stages and has become a law in
| cludes the following: An act to amend
| the laws relating to American seamen
| for the protection of such seamen and
| to promote commerce; an act concern
! ing sailing vessels of over 700 tons: pro-
| Viding for a national exposition OF
| American products and manufactures
| at Philadelphia for the encoura cement
| of the export trade; granting extra pay
| to officers and enlisted men of United
| States volunteers; providing additona
| circuit judges in the Fifth and Sixth