Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1899-03-02

ting this important work. When the mea-
sure reached the House n substitute was
passed. The House measure differs from
that of tho Senate mainly in making the
census bureau an independent organiza-
ton, not under the interior department,
and in the method of appointments.
An important measure which has pass
ed both houses and doubtless will become
a law is known as the Naval personnel"
bill and is entitled a bill to rcorganize and
increase the efficiency of the personnel of
the navy and marine corps. It's main
features were 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 upbuilding of the new navy
and to rcorganze 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.
The Hawaiian bill was presented to both
branches of Congress, having been franz
cd by the Hawaiian commission appointed
by the President, with view to carry
ing out the congressional resolution an
ncXing Hawaii. 1t provides comprehen-
sive plan of territorial government and
| fixes the qualification of electors and Of
flcers The bill has not however. passed
| ~
regarded as one of the 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 sov-
cral bills dealing with special phases 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 a law, as they
are dependent largely on the future of the
general Hawaiian bill
What is known as the Ant-Scalping bill
has attracted much interest Vnd occupied
time in both branches of Congress. It
was the first piece of general legislation
passed by the House ut this session, but
| it's consideration in the Senate has beYl
attended by numerous delays 1t being dis
placed recently as the unfinished business
in order to take up the army reorganza-
ton bill.
Another measure of importance to the
commercial and shipping classes is known
as the shipping bill. 1t was introduced in
tho Senate by Mr. Hanna and in the
House by Mr., Payne, and is pending in
both Houses. 1t provides a system Of
hounties to American steam and sailing
vessels. dependent on tonnage and dis
tancc covered and also makes merchant
vessels an auxiliary force to the navy IN
time of war. 1t is on the calendar of both
Houses, with its future in doubt owing &c
the short time remaining.
GENERAL LEGISLATION.
The general legislation of the session
which has advanced to its final stages and
has become law, includes the following
An act to amend the laws relating &c
American scamcn, for the protection ci
such seamen, and to promote commerce
er,.h -n1 Of
tons; providing for a national exposition
of American products and manufacturer
at Philadelphia, for the encouragement
of the export trade, granting extra pa!
to officers and enlisted men of CnitcI
States volunteers; providing additional
circuit judges in the Fifth and Sixth judi
cial circuits; amending the act eoVernint
tho immediate transportation of duta bls
goods without appraismcnt; adjusting Tho
clothing account for deceased soldiers II
certain cases; allowing voting machines
in elections for representatives in Con
gress; removing the remains of Genera
John A Rawlins to Arlington Nationa
Cemetery; admitting to West Point and t.
Annapolis certain persons designated by
the governments of Venezuela Costa Rici
} and Colombia.
The bill establishing a national miltar,
park to commemorate the campaign, sieS
l and defense of NiCksburG has passed boil
Houses. Among the bills which have pass
: ed one or the other House are: Amend
ing the war revenue bill as to stampins
of bond or note and mortgage; authoriZin:
. the Secretary of the Navy to pay eXtr;
compensation for certain extra service
in navy yard, etc; to establish an inter
l national bank; to pay certain dividends Q
= the Freedman's Trust and Savings bank
giving general right of way through In
dian reservations: amending the act TO
3 the reimbursement of States for the rails
ing Of VOLUNTEER forces during the war wit
Spain; granting pension to ex-Senato
John NJ. Palmer; authorizing a monumen
> at Havana to the survivors of the Maine
: The revision of the laws OF Alaska, an
the judicial system, also has been consi
dered in both Houses, but final action ha
not been reached.
THE APPROPRIATIONS.
i The total appropriations of the presen
. session will approximate 800 1000 q
which about $3.50, 10000 will be for tn
military and naval uses or for subieC
connected with the war. This is a genera
estimate, however, based upon total
which may undergo much change, as YER
few of the large appropriation bills hav
become law, and some Of them have no
even been considered If the Nicaragua
canal amendment is added to the river an
harbor bill this will make a material in
crease. Included in the naval bill are pro
visions for three sea-going battleships
three armored cruisers and six SINAI
cruisers, for which $l0,O0O,OO is appropria
ted for the first years work.
Based on estimates, the total appropria
tons for the Congress mot including tn
four appropriation bills left over by tn
former Congress) would be approximate
81 900 000, 900, of which amount approximate
(hll &c ,,ri