The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1900-06-20
Gold Financial Bill Alone Would
Make Session Memorable.
MOST REMARKABLE RECORD
Republicans Have Redeemed Every Pledge
Made by Them Ia 1890 Puerto Rico,
Hawaii and Alaska Laws Legis'
Iative Masterpieces.

BROOKLYN, y. Y, June l5.-The
Brooklyn Standard Union publishes
from the pen Of Albert Halstead. a
remarkably comprehensive summary of
what was accomplished by congress
during the session just closed. 1t is as
follows:
Washington, June s.-The record OF
the irst session Of The Fifty-sixth
congress is not bad one. One Of
the most important pieces Of legisla-
tion enacted by it was the financial bill,
which wrote gold on the statute books
in indelible Ink. That law also gave
small communities national bank IA
cilities, provided a gold reserve and
separated it from the general funds Of
the treasury, and provided for the re-
demptlon Of government bonds so that
the government has already saved a
number OF millions in interest 1t also
increased the national bank circula-
tion by permitting national banks to
issue, to the par value OF the bonds
deposited to secure circulation. 1t is
a law which has strengthened the
finances Of the government and estab-
lished our finances on q solid gold
basis. II this congress had done moth
ing else 1t would deserve public COM
mendation.
when the Puerto Rican bill was
under consideration much criticism was
made of the republican majority be-
cause it insisted upon imposing duties
OF fifteen per cent of the Dingley rates
on importations from The United States
to Puerto Rico, with the exception Of
a rather large free list. which included
articles of the greatest necessity to the
Puerto Ricans, and the same rates on
Puerto Rican products entering the
United States. Experience seems to
have demonstrated that congress was
wise In imposing such duties. instead
Of providing free trade with that de-
tendency of ours. The duties are
found to be so small as not to ham
per trade. and at the same time they
provide ample revenue for Puerto Rico's
needs. every dollar collected being
turned into the Puerto Rican treasury.
until the Puerto Rican legislature pro-
yIdes some other means Of raising
revenue. The Puerto Rican law also
gave Puerto Rico a civil government,
and in the appointment Of officials the
rights Of the Puerto Ricans to repre-
sentation have not been disregarded.
Thus Puerto Rico gets ample revenue,
has preference in entering the Ameri-
can market, and is relieved from the
military rule that was at first nee
essary.
"The present congress has also CIV
en- Hawaii an excellent civil govern
ment and a delegate in congress and
in the appointment Of territorial Of
ficials the residents of the territory
have not been overlooked.
Alaska has been given a judicial
code and enough judges and court offi-
cials to meet her needs. The code is
of the greatest Importance to our ter
ritory and will be of the greatest bene-
fit to the people Of Alaska.
"a law has been enacted covering
such cases as that Of Neely. Of Indi-
ana. who embezzled Cuban funds. 1t
applies the extradition laws to Puerto
Rico. Cuba and the Philippines, regu-
lating the modes of procedure. Under
this law any American who is guilty
Of malfeasance or lnisfeasance in office
in any Of our dependencies can be car
ried there for trial.
"A pension bill, drawn by The Grand
Army Of the Republic. has been passed
which permits the aggregation Of dis
abilities. Under its provisions the man
who is suffering from disabilities and
rheumatism incurred in the service can
draw a pension for each disability, in
stead Of as formerly. being permitted
to be pensioned for one disability. This
m especially bad cases viii materially
Increase old soldiers' pensions.
THE navy will be increased in ac-
cordance with the demands Of the Ma
ton that the United States maintain
modern and effective navy Of sufficient
size 20 meet all the necessities Of the