The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1899-03-02

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.--An eventful
period in the country's history is covered
by the work Of the Ffty-fifth congress-.
which is drawing TO close.
This congress has declared war agrinse
foreign foe, and the treaty making
branch has participated in ratifying tho
treaty by which that war was terminated
1t has provided great volunteer army.
has enlarged the regular army and hax
expanded the navy to meet war emergetb
cies and new conditions. The tariff has
been revised, first by the Dingley law
and then by the war revenue act; bond
issue, known as the war loan, has been
provided.
But far.reachirg as these war mesas-
ures are, the congress has had time also
to enact other legislation which, under
ordinary circumstances, would make its
session memorable. This includes The
annexation of Hawaii, the rejection By
the senate Of the general treaty Of arbs-
tration with Great Britain, the enact
ment Of national bankruptcy law, pro-
vision for taking the twelfth census, re-
organization of the personnel of tho
navy. To this list may yet be added
other important subjects still pending.
including the Nicaragua canal, the in
crease of the regular army, the anti
scalping measure, the Hawaiian bill and
the proposed encouragement of Ameri-
can shipping. Some Of the most import
ant general measures are in the final leg
islative stages, and it will not be until
the last hours arrive that the success Or
failure of those measures will be de-
termined definitely.
The general legislation Of the session,
.Ix~ 70 lee
and has become law, includes the follow
ing: An act to extend the laws relating
to American seamen, for the protection
of such seamen and to promote com
merce; an act concerning sail vessels Gd
over 700 tons providing for national
exposition of American products and
manufactures at Philadelphia for the en-
| Couragement of the export trade; grant
| ing extra pay to officers and enlisted
| men of United States volunteers; pro
viding additional circuit judges in the
Fifth and Sixth judicial circuits; amend
ing the act covering the Immediate
transportation of dutiable goods without
appraisement; adjusting the clothing ae-.
count for deceased soldiers in certain
cases; allowing voting machines in cleo
tions for representatives in congress-; re-
moving the remains of General John A
] nav W NdJlOlldl
terry; admitting to West Point and An
napohs certain persons designated by
the governments of Venezuela, Costa
Rica and Colombia; also the bill estslb-
fishing a national military park to COM
memorate the campaign, siege and de-
fense of Vicksburg.
The total appropriations of the pres
ent session will approximate 800, 900, 900,
of which about $3.50, 100000 will be for
the military and naval uses or for sub
jects connected with the war. This is a
general estimate, however, based upon
totals which may undergo some change,
as very few of the large appropriation
bills have become law, and some Of
them have not even been considered.
If the Nicaragua canal amendment is
added to the river and harbor bill, il
being so reported to the senate, this viii
make material increase. Included in
the naval bill are provisions for three
seagoing battleships, three armored
cruisers and six small cruisers, for which
$l0,O00,0 900 is to be appropriated for the
first years work.
Based on estimates, the total appro-
priations for the congress (not including
the four appropriation bills left over by
the former cOngress) would be approx
mately 81, 800, 900, 900, of which amount
approximately 5000, 900, 900 is for war ex-
penses or incident to the army and navy.