Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-02-27

law is known as the naval personnel
bill and is entitled "a bill to reorganixe
mel of the Navy and Marine Corps" Its
main features were drawn up by board
OF eminent naval officers, and were de-
some of the grades, to expand the per-
sonnet to keep pace with the upbnilding
Of the new navy, and to reorgani:c the
the Senate In amended form. and Is pass
ing through the final stages Of conference.
The Hawaiian bill was presented to
framed by the Hawaiian commission APP
pointed by the President, with view to
carrying out the Congressional resolution
hensive plan Of territorial government,
and fixes the qualification of electors and
officers. The bill has not, however, passed
either branch of Congress. and although
regarded as one of the important pieces
of pending legislation 1t is hardly expect
ed that 1t can pass all the stages at this
late day In the session., In view. Of this.
| in Hawaii have passed one or the other
| house. These include bills to extend the
custom and revenue laws to Hawaii; ex-
tending the navigation laws to Hawaii:
| and extending to the Hawaiian islands
| the contract labor laws of the United
States. None of these has become law.
as they are dependent largely on the flu
ture of the general Hawaiian bill
What is known as the anti-scalping bill
| has attracted much interest and occupied
| Congress. 1t was the first piece of gen.
eral legislation passed by the House at
| this session, but it's consideration In the
Senate has been attended by numerous
unfinished business In order to take up
the army reorganization bill
Another measure Of importance to the
known as the shipping bill II was in
troduced in the Senate by Mr. Hanna AMI
in the House by Mr.. Payne. and is pend
l it,rr IN, l,r,th nrnVi6aS q m
of bounties to American steam and sail
ing vessels. dependent on tonnage and
distance covered. and also makes mer-
chant vessels an auxiliary force TO the
navy in time of war 1t is on the calen-
dar 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 law, includes the follow
| ing: An act to amend the laws relating
| to American seamen. for the protection
| of such seamen, and to promote COM
| merce: an act concerning sail vessels
Of over 700 tons; providing for a national
manufactures at Philadelphia, for the en-
enlargement of the export trade: grant
| ing extra pay to officers and enlisted men
| of United States Volunteers; providing
| additional circuit judges in the fifth and
| sixth judicial circuits: amending the act
governing the immediate transportation
Of dutiable goods without appraisement;
adjusting the clothing account for de-
| ceased soldiers in certain cases: allowing
voting machines in elections for repre-
| sentatives in Congress; removing the re-
mains of General John A. Rawlins to Ar
| lington National Cemetery: admitting to
| West Point and to Annapolis certain per-
sons designated by the governments of
| Venezuela, Costa Rca and Colombia.
| The bill establishing a national military
park to commemorate the campaign. siege
and defence of vicksburg has passed both
passed one or the other house are:
/ Amending the war revenue bill as to
stamping Of bond or note and mortgage;
| authorizing the secretary of the navy to
pay extra compensation for certain extra
| services in navy yard, etc; to establish
an International bank; TO pay certain
Savings Bank; giving general right of
way through Indian reservations; amend.
| ing the act for the reimbursement of
states for the raising Of volunteer forces
pension TO ex-senator John NJ. Palmer:
authorizing a monument at Havana to
the survivors of the Maine. The revision
| of the laws of Alaska, and the judicial
| system, also has been considered in both
| houses. but final acuon has not been
| reached
session will approximate 500, 000, 600, of
which about $3.50, 100000 will be for the
military ana naval uses or for. subjects
connected with the war This is a. gen
| eral estimate, however. based upon totals
which may undergo much change. as very
| few of the large appropriation bills have
! become law, anu Sotie VI tueHi nave Hot
even been considered. If the Nicaragua
| canal amendment is added to the river
| and harbor bill this will make a material
increase. Included in the naval bill are
provisions for three sea-going battleships.
! three armored cruisers and six small
| cruisers, for which 100000 is appropri-
| ated for the first years work.
| Based on estimates, the total appropri-
atoms for the Congress mot including
the four appropriation bills left over by
| the former Congress- would be approx
mately 81, 900. COO of which amount APP
proximately 10000. 900 is for the war ex-
! penses or incident TO the army and navy.