The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1899-03-11
coNGnEss AND IT'S woRK.
Three Notable Sessions OF "a Fifty
Firth National Legislature.

washington. March 6.-The Fifty-htth
congress, which adjourned sine die az noon
Saturday. will live In history Tor two
things. First and foremost VIII be It's pa
%triotlc spirit IN connection with the war
with Spain. Next viii be the enormous
sums carried In its appropriation bills,
which exceed 81. 5co.O 1900. IL was preceded
by four $1,000. OOO.Co0 congresses. but this Is
the first time the appropriations nave ex-
ceeded 81. 050.o eco, 00o. It viii be lampooned
with charges or extravaganza, but a large
part OF the excess IN expenditure grew out
OF the war-much OF Il IN the prosecution or
conflict and some OF Il for maintenance OF
the enlarged national policies In the en-
SUING era OF peace.
The Fifty-hfth congress had three ses-
sions. each OF them marked by the enact
ment OF legislation OF great importance.
The first session passed the Dingley tarfn
act.
The second session gave the world n
striking proof OF the patriotism or the
American people regardless OF party by the
act which placed n fund OF SO,ooO.CVO In
the hands or the president 60 be used for
the national defense-an net that was
passed by a unanimous vote and with no
demand upon the president for an ac-
counting This was supplemented by other
measures upholding tho hands OF the COM
mander in chief IN the conduct or the war.
Unlike any previous congress. the Fifty
NA " liz - AAAM WV 49, -
helped to inaugurate. and In It's closing
session II provided men and money on a
generous scale for the support OF the ma
tion in its broader career I'm the future.
Congress left some things undone that
were 10 be desired. but even the friends OF
these policies are resigned TO walt and are
agreed that congress made a good record.
The sentiment OF the country was for the
construction OF n ship canal across the
American isthmus. but the project was In
VOWED In so many p~erplexlng doubts and
complications and entailed such an enor-
nous expense that congress hesitated TO
commit the country 70 It without more
light.
Hawaii was at the door asking for n per-
manent form OF government, but here
again congress wanted a delay In order TO
gain n better understanding OF the needs
OF the case. and moreover II Is felt the
islands can easily get along under the ar
rangement provided for in the annexation
resolution. which continued the old govern
ment under the direction OF the president.
Bound up with Hawaii and this other
isles OF the Pacific was the question or a
cable. but that Is not considered vital.
The bill for the upbuilding OF the mer-
chant marine by a system OF subsidies
probably had a majority OF each house in
it's favor. but Il came up too late in tho
session to be crowded through against the
opposition OF Speaker Reed and n coterie
OF Directing senators.
With the close Of this session many SEN
ators and congressman OF national reputa-
tion will retire from service at the capitol.
Senator German, OF Maryland, IL perhaps
the most conspicuous Of these, because or
his leadership of the democratic party.
Senator Quay Is quite as conspicuous as n
leader on the republican side. but he Is still
battling for life and has a chance 20 return.
Senators Turpie and Mills are famous
statesmen about to give way TO younger
men, and senator Allen. who has been con-
ate. Will return TO the quiet OF a Nebraska
village.
The house viii lose moro than n hundred
OF It's members, some OF them well known,
but most OF them obscure.