The Indianapolis journal., 1899-02-27

merce committee, as an amendment to the
river and harbor bill, was agreed to by the
Senate and the bill passed. 1t is now be-
fore the House committee on river and har-
bors. with the outcome in doubt on the
canal item and the bill,as a whole.
THE CENSUS BILL.
The bill providing for taking the twelfth
census was first passed by the Senate, and
provided a comprehensive plan for execut-
ing this important work. When the meas
ure reached ,the House a substitute was
passed. The House measure differs from
that of the 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 passed
both houses, and doubtless will become a
law, is known as the naval personnel"
bill and is entitled "A bill to reorganize
and increase the efficiency of the per-
sonnel 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 expand the personnel 10 Keep
and to reorganize the marine corps. 1t
passed the House and Senate in amended
form, and is passing through the hnaI
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 q view to carrying out
the congressional resolution annexing Ha-
wall. It provides a comprehensive plan
OF territorial government and likes the
qualification of electors and officers. The
bill has not, however, passed either brancn
of Congress and, although regarded as one
Of the important pieces of pending legisa-
ton it is hardly expected that it can pass
all the stages at this late day in the ses-
sion In view Of this, several bills dealing
with sneciaI phases in Hawaii have passed
one or the other house, These include blllS
to extend the customs and revenue laws
to Hawaii, extending the Navigation laws
to Hawaii and extending to the HaWallan
islands the contract labor laws of the
United States None of these has become
law as as they the genera aTe qgpHHaS HaWaan BLY, o '
What is known as the anti-scalping bill
has attracted much interest and occupied
considerable time in both branches OF Con-
gress 1t was the first piece of general
legislation passed by the House al TINS
session, but its consideration in the Senate
has been attended by numerous delaysi II
being displaced recently as the unt1nlshed
business in order to take up the army re-
organization bill.
FOR SHIPPING BOUNTIES.
Another measure of Importance to the
commercial and shipping classes is known
as the shipping bill. 1t was introduced in
the Senate by Mr.. Hanna and in the House
by Mr. Payne, and is pending IN both houses
1t provides a system OF bountles 10 Amer
lean steam and sailing vessels dependent
on tonnage and distance 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 to the short time remaining.
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 to American sea-
men for the protection of such seamen, and
TO promote commerce.; an act concerning
sailing vessels Of over 100 tons; providing
for a national exposition of American prod
ucts and manufactures at Philadelphia Tor
the announcement of the export trade
granting extra pay to officers and enlisted
men of United States volunteers; proVolhg
additional circuit judges IN the F1tth ana
sixth judicial circuits: amending the act
governing the immediate transportation or
dutiable goods without appraisement; ad-
justing the clothing account tor deceased
soldiers in certain cases; allowing voting
machines in elections for representatives in
Congress-; removing the remains OK Gen;
John A. Rawlins to Arlington National
ANNAPOLIS certain persons designated by the
governments of Venezuela, Costa Rica and
Colombia.
The bill establishing a national military
park 10 commemorate the campaign siege
and defense of Vlcksburg has passed both
houses Among the bills which have passed
one or the other house are: Amending the
war-revenue bill as to stamping or bond
or note and mortgage; au. horizing the secre-
tary of the navy to pay extra compensation
for certain extra services IN navy yard, etc.
to establish an international bank; to pay
certain dividends of the Freedman's S Trust
and Savings Bank; giving general right OF
way through Indian reservations; amending
the act for the reimbursement or states for
the raising of volunteer forces during the
war with Spain; granting a 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