The Saint Paul globe., 1899-03-05
establishment Of the Industrial COM
mission, and the prohibition Of the kill
Ing OF seals. Congress, as a whole

|
| IMPEDE the passage Of the war revenue
| bill. with its bond-issue and other un-
| scientific features.
Under the same stimulus Of patriot
| ism, an army bill was passed, which
Iostered that nepotism and fayoritism
so fecund of abuses. corruption and
distress for the common soldier.
OUTSIDE OF the Dingley tariff and nee
| essary war measures, congress resery-
eo It's important general legislation for
the final session, notwithstanding that
the time was too brief for intelligent
consideration of other than routine
matters. The disappointment of
| year ago has been compensated for
! through a river and harbor bill and
public building BILL the scene in the
house when the latter was under con-
| sideration rivalling the wild scramble
| OF the worst Of the evil days after the
| Civil war.
The navy personnel bill has been
passed, worthy measure, by which
the long chickering's between line and
stan are settled, and the officers raised
to parity with their brethren in the
army.
A partisan and undemocratic reor-
ganization Of the army, establishing a
standing force and continuing all
bureaucratic evils of the staff has been
defeated, through Democratic opposi-
ton under tke skillful leadership of
Senator German, and a substitute bill
| adopted full as potent for public de-
fcnse, while keeping the sword from
the eager grasp of the executive
The twelfth census has been provid-
ed for, with Mr. Merriam, of Mime
sofa, as it's director, and incidentally
thousands of hungry politicians; for
appointments will not be subject to
civil service rules.
The appropriations have been uni
formly and recklessly increased this
session, Mr.. Dingley not only being
Gead, but forgotten.
EXPANSION EXPOSED.
The greatest public service performed
by the Fifty-f1fth congress has been
the expansion debate in the senate,
whereby the designs of those who work
| in secret have been brought to light
Under its disclosures of the intrigues of
greed healthy sentiment, always ex-
listing among the people at large IN
favor Of the rights of man and against
aggression, however yelled by hypo-
critical pretence, has been solidifed
into burning conviction that no dream
of imperialism, no trust in manifest
destiny shall force the United States
into the gloom Of medieval and un-
American oppression.
lows, has done many things that it
ought not to have done and has left
| many more undone that it ought to
have done. 1t has lived through STIR
ring times and great achievements
without itself being great. Without be-
| ing venal. it has been woefully ex-
| travagant, its direct and consequent
| expenditures aggregating $4,000 900, 900.
| Of the rush and scramble preceding ad-
| journment, it may be said that the
| end crowns the work. These men so
wildly intent on legislation are not
| statesmen eager for their country's
/ good, but politicians greedy for per-
scnal benefit But of such is the king
| dom of America.
NOTABLE NATIONAL FIGURE.
Minnesota has furnished one notable
| national figure in the person of SEN
| ator Davis. Dubious as many may be
| of his polity no one can deny his stall
wart force. More than any other man
| in congress he coalesced the scattered
| Influences favoring Cuban independ-
ence and gave them an irresistible i'm
petus. More than any other man in
congress he brought about not only
the making but the ratification of the
treaty of Paris. He has worthily held
the craftsmanship of the powerful COM
mittee on foreign relations by virtue of
himself and not through precedent
Granted that his views lacked that
thoughtful conservatism, which is an
| essential element of true statesman
ship, he nevertheless must be accept
ed. not only as a leader of his party,
but among men. In comparison with
his clear, bold outlines, Senator Sir
Knight Nelson, the other senator
from Minnesota has shown like a pc
numbra. He Is good natured, effusive.
calculating, but always obscure.
HOUSE DELEGATION.
The Minnesota delegation in the
house has been respectable, but not
conspicuous. No one has ever asked
what the Minnesota men were going
to do; it was as well known as if seven
| marionettes nodded, when the leaders
pulled the strings. No stranger ever
| asked the gallery doorkeepers to point
any Of them out. They passed with
the crowd. with the two hundred and
fifty odd members who possessed seats
and a place on the roll call.
Mr.. Tawney is probably the one
most in evidence. But his self-esteem
keeps him uneasy. He Is always at
tempting, but seldom succeeds He has
finger in every pie. but rarely cap
lures anything. Unless he acquires re-
pose and tone, he is in danger of being
known as a congressional busybody-a
fatal characteristic
Mr.. McCleary is recognized as a
| pedagogue, with qualities incident to
the office. He is erudite. he is indus
| trious. he is marrow. he is non-con-
structive
No one takes Mr. Heatwole seriously
He may-but practically no one else.
He has accentuated his existence once
| during this congress by presenting the
other day report from his commit
| tee on acoustics and ventilation, sug-
| gesting improvements in the hall of
| representatives. which will be number