The morning news., 1899-02-27

1dE MOnN1NO ~
increase the efficiency Of the personnel OF
the navy ana marine corps. Its main fea-
lures were drawn UP by a board OF emf
nent naval officers, and were designed to
overcome the stsgnauon in some Of the
grades, 70 expand the personnel to keep
pace with the up-building Of the new navy.
and 10 reorganize the marine corps. IL
passed the House. and the Senate in
amended form, and is passing through
The final stages Of conference.
The Hawaiian Situation.
The Hawaiian bill was presented TO both
branches of Congress, having been framed
by the Hawaiian commission appointed by
the President, with view to carrying out
/ the congressional resolution annexing Ha-
waii. 1t provides a comprehensive plan of
territorial government, and fixes the quail
ihcatiOn Of electors and officers. The bill
1 has not, however passed either branch of
Congress, and although regarded as one
Of the important pieces of pending legis-
lation it is hardly expected that 1t can
pass ali the stages at this late day in the
session In view Of this, several bills deal
ing with special phases in Hawaii have
passed one or the other House. These in
crude bills to extend the custom and reve-
nue. laws TO Hawaii extending the navi-
cation laws TO Hawaii; and extending to
the Hawaiian Islands the contract labor
laws Of the United States None of these
mas become 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 Con-
gress. II was the first piece of general leg
islation passed by the House at this ses-
IN Iast
has been attended by numerous delays, IL
being displaced recently as the unfinished
business, 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 was introduced in
The Senate by Mr.. Hanna, and in the
house by Air. Payne, and is pending in
both houses. II provides a system of boun-
ties to American steam and sailing YES
sells dependent on tonnage and distance
covered, and also makes merchant YES
sells an auxiliary force TO the navy in time
OF war. Il is on the calendar of both
Houses, with its future in doubt owing to
the short time remaining.
Bills Which Have Become Laws.
The general legislation of the session.
which has advanced to its final stages and
has become law, includes the following:
An act 10 amend the laws relating to
American seamen, for the protection of
such seamefi, and to promote commerce;
an act concerning sail vessels Of over 700
tons; providing for a national exposition
or American products and manufacturers
at Philadelphia, for the announcement of
the export trade; granting extra nav to
ofhcers and enlisted men of United States
volunteers; providing additional circuit
judges in the Fifth and Sixth judicial
TlTGnltEs in he aa&
immediate transportation of dutiable goods
without appraisement; adjusting the cloth
ing account for deceased soldiers In Ger
tain cases; allowing voting machines in
elections for representatives in Congress.
removing the remains of Cen John A
Rawlins to Arlington national cemetery;
admitting to West Point and to Annapolis
certain persons designated by the govern
ments OF Venezuela, Costa Rica and Co
lombia.
The bill establishing a national military
park to commemorate the campaign, siege
and defense of Vicksburg has passed both
houses. Among the bills which have pass
ed one or the other houses are: Amending
the war revenue bill as to stamping of BOND
or note and mortgage; authorizing the
Secretary of the Navy to pay extra com
pensation for certain extra services In
navy yard, etc; to establish an interna-
uonal bank; to pay certain dividends of
the Freedmans Trust and Savings Bank;
giving general right of way through In
dian reservations; amending the act for
the reimbursement of states for the rails
ing of volunteer forces during the war
with Spain; granting a pension to ex-Sen-
ator John NJ. Palmer; authorizing a mon
ument at Havana to the survivors of the
Maine. The revision of the laws of Alas
ka, and the judicial system, also. has been
considered in both houses, but final action
has not been reached
Sessions Appropriation
The total appropriations of the present
session will approximate 800 100000. of
which about $3.50, 900 will be for the
military and naval uses or for subjects
connected with the war. This is a gen
eral 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
even been considered. If the Nicaragua
canal amendment is added to the river
and harbor bill this will make a material
increase. Included in the naval bill are
provisions for three sea-going battleships,
three armored cruisers and six small
cruisers, for which 100000 is appropri-
ated for the first years work
Based on estimates, the total appropria-
tions for the Congress mot including the
four appropriation bills left over by the
former Congress- would be approximately
$4,000 0O0, of which amount approx
mateiy $500 100000 is for war expenses or
incident to the army and navy.