The Washburn leader., 1900-06-16

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Washington, June 3.-The record Of the
drst session Of the Fifty-sixth congress
10 now practically closed, and 1t is pos
sibls to survey the important work it has
accomplished during the last six months.
It has been a busy congress-the busi-
est, according to veteran officials. in
many years. In some respects the work
has been less exciting than that Of the
preceding congress, which covered the
dramatic period when war was declared
against Spain, and also the period Of re-
construction and treaty-making with
Spain following the successful close Of
the war.
But i'm work actually accomplished
and started toward accomplishment
the record of the present session
stands we'll in comparison with the
most energetic cOngresses.
Our new territorial possessions have re-
ceived much attention, and while there
has been no definite action as to the
Philippines or Cuba, form of govern
ment and means Of raising revenue
have been provided for Porto Rico and
q comprehensive territorial form Of gov.
ernnaent has been given to Hawaii.
The Financial Act
has made important changes in the laws
relating to parity Of metals, thes bonded
Indebtedness, national banks and the Sc
curity of the treasury by gold reserve.
The Nicaragua canal bill has passed the
house and is on the calendar of the SEN
ate, ready for attention when congress
reconvenes. The antitrust bill is similar
ly advanced, the antitrust constitutional
amendment has defeat recorded against
It, The Pacific cable measure has passed
,, the senate and is awaiting
Final Action in the Honxe.
The exclusion of Brigham H. Roberts
from seat in the house because of his
polygamous status, the refusal of the
senate to admit Mr.. Quay on the appoint
ment of the governor Of Pennsylvania.
and the sensational charges. investigation
and developments in the senate in the
case of Mr.. Clark of Montana, have
added some exciting personal phases to
| the session. Investigations have been
prolific, including the inquiry into the
| Occur d'Alene mining riots in Idaho, the
| various inquiries on polygamy growing
/ out Of the Roberts case, and more recent
ly the senate investigation Of the postal
and other Irregularities In Cuba
The Total of Appropriations
cannot yet be stated with exactness, as
| five bills are pending, but it is approxi-
mately $7OOOoO.OOO for the session.
The senate in executive session has been
| occupied to considerable extent with
important treaties OF these the treaties
with Great Britain and Germany. closing
the tripartite government in Samoa and
awarding to the United States the island
| Of Tutuitla, with its valuable harbor OF
Pago-Pago, have been ratified, while the
commercial reciprocity treaties with
France and the British West India
islands and the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
concerning the interoceanic canal go over
without action.
OF the leHislatfOn actually accom-
plished and now ON the statute
| books, the financial net IL regarded
as the great achievement of the
year.
The noteworthy feature Of the debate
on this measure in the house was that
| party lines were broken to some extent
q number Of Democratic members from
the Eastern and New England states
Joining with the majority in passing it.
In the senate also party lines were not
entirely regarded, Senators Lindsay and
Caffrey voting for the measure and Mr..
Chandler against it. AS it became law
by the presidents signature on March IL.
It makes specific the declaration Of
The Gold Standard.
provides treasury reserve of s150.Oon.-
600, establishes division of issue and re-
| demption of the treasury, provides for
| the redemption and reissue Of interest
bearing bonds of the United States and
makes new regulations as. to national
banks, their circulation, establishment in
small communities and the tax they pay.
The act also contains a specific dcclara-
ton that its provisions "are not intended
to preclude the accomplishment of inter.
national bimetallism.''
Porto Rico Le1islation
/ has been the most fruitful theme of con-
/, troversy in and out Of congress during the
session. The discussion first turned on
the revenue bill, levying duty of Is DER
cent of the Dingley rates on Porto Rico
goods. The majority Of the ways and
means committee urged the constitution
atty and necessity of this course, while
the minority, reinforced by Mr. Mccall of
Massachusetts, member of the major
ity, maintained that the legislation of the
United States extended to Porto Rico and
that congress was inaugurating new
and dangerous precedent by giving the
island any other law than that of the
rest of the country. ..
Excitement Ran High
under the spur of widespread public at
tention. The debate in the house was
signalized by the division Of the majority,
which for a time made the result doubt
full, but the bill ultimately passed. The
contest in the senate was animated but
less acute. The senate changed the en-
tire scope Of the measure by adding a
complete form Of civil government. In
this form, raising revenue and establish
ing an island government, the measure
became . law. Subsequently it was
amended SO as to limit corporate fran
chises, and on the presidents recon-
mendation an act was passed appropri-
ating for the use Of Porto Rico the 50 :
oe6.455 collected from island sources
since its acquisition.
Government for Hawaii.
Next In Importance in the accomplished
work Of the session Is the act Ito pro-
vide q government for the territory of
Hawaii" The debates on. It IN the sem
0te and house aroused little division, save
Not Worth Mentioning.
II have several reasons for not buy
ing the horse, said TIE man. The first
= that haven't the price. andL-"s