The record-union., 1899-02-27
4 REVIEW OF
THIS CONGRESS.
CONTINUED from First Page.)

OAtliSA Tie MOI6dH Dlll OF Liz l1SpDuI IL
plan in the House, various plans were
adopted to secure action by way of one
of the general appropriation bills. The
first movement of this kind was when
Mr.. Hepburn offered his plan as an
amendment to the sundry civil bill.
After animated discussion the amend
ment was ruled out of order and on an
appeal from this decision the Chairman.
Mr.. Hopkins, was sustained. The next
movement was made in the Senate,
when at the instance of Mr.. Morgan,
the Committee on Commerce presented
AN amended form of the Hepburn plan
as an amendment to the river and har-
Dor bill. It is expected that the maj
success or failure of the project Will
not be known until the, closing hours OF
the session.
The canal amendment reported from
the Senate Commerce Committee as
amendment to the river and harbor ball
was agreed to by the Senate and the
bill passed 1t is now before the house
Committee on Rivers and Harbors, with
the outcome in doubt on t0e canal Item
and the bill as a whole.
The bill providing for taking the
twelfth census was first /assed by the
Senate, and provided comprehensive
plan for executing this important work.
When the measure reached the House a
substitute was presented The House
measure differs from that of the Sem
ate mainly in making the Census Bu-
reau an independent organization, not
under the Interior Department, and in
the method of appointments.
An important measure which has
passed both houses, and doubtless VIII
become a law, is known as the naval
personnel bill, and is entitled a Dill
to reorganze and increase the efficiency
of the personnel of the navy and marine
corps. It's main features were drawn
up by a board of eminent naval officers,
and were designed to overcome the
stagnation in some of the grades, to ex-
pand the personnel to keep pace with
the upbuilding of the new navy, and
to reorganize the marine corps. 1t
passed the House and the 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 view
luton annexing Hawaii 1t provides
comprehensive plan of Territorial gov
eminent. and fixes the question of elect
ors and officers. The bill has not, how
ever, passed either branch of Con-
gress. and, although regarded as one of
the important pieces of pending legisla-
ton. 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-
waii have passed one or the other
house. These include bills to extend
the custom and revenue laws to Ha-
wall; extending the navigation laws to
Hawaii, and extending to the Hawaiian
Islands the contract-labor laws of the
United States. None of these has be-
come a law, as they are dependent
largely on the future of the general Ha-
waiian bill.
What is known as the anti-scalping
bill has attracted much interest, and
occupied considerable time in both
branches of Congress. 1t was the first
piece of general legislation passed by
the House at this session, but its con-
sideration in the Senate has been at
tended by numerous delays. it being
displaced recently as unfinished bust
ness, in order to take up the army re-
organization bill.
Another measure of Importance to the
commercial and shipping classes is
known as the shipping bill. 1t pro-
vides a system of bounties to American
steam and sailing vessels, dependent
upon tonnage and distance covered. and
also makes merchant vessels an auxil-
larry force to the navy in time of war
1t is 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 it's final stages
and has become law included the fol-
lowing:
An Act to amend the laws relating to
American seamen. for the protection Of
such seamen, and to promote COM
merce: an Act concerning sailing YES
sells of over 700 tons; providing for a
national exposition of American prod
ucts and manufactures at Paris; for
the encouragement of the export trade;
granting extra pay to officers and en-
listed men of United States Volunteers;
providing additional Circuit Judges
in the Fifth and Sixth judicial circuits;
amending the Act governing the imme-
date transportation of dutiable goods
without appraisement; adjusting the
clothing account for deceased soldiers
in certain cases; allowing voting ma
chimes in elections for Representatives
in Congress; removing the remains OF
General John A. Rawlins to Arlington
National Cemetery: admitting to West
Point and to Annapolis certain persons
designated by the Governments of Ven
ezuela. Costa Rica and Colombia.
The bill establishing a national mill
tary park to commemorate the cam
paign, siege and defense. of Vicksburg
has been passed by both houses.
The total appropriations for the pres
ent session will approximate S1O0,00O,-
0o0, Of which about $250,000,000 will be
for the military and naval uses or for
both subjects connected with the war.
This is a general estimate, however,
based upon totals which may undergo
much change. as very few of the large
appropriation bills have become law,
and some of them have not been con-
sidered If the Nicaragua Canal bill is
added to the river and harbor bill. this
ed in the naval bill are provisions for
three sea-going battleships, three ar
mored cruisers and six small cruisers.
for which s10C00O0o is appropriated
for the first years work
Based on estimates, the total appro-
priations for the Congress (not includ-
ing the four appropriation bills left over
by the former Congress) would be APP
proximately 81 .GOO,O0OOO0 of which
amount approximately S6O0OO0.O00 is
for war exnonses ny incident to the