The county record. [volume] (Kingstree, S.C.) 1885-1975, 1900-06-14

rest of the country.
PASSAGE OF THE PORTO RlCAN
BILL.
Excitement ran high under the spur
of widespread public attention. The de-
bateA in the House was signalized by
the division of the majority, which for
q time made the result doubtful, but
the bill ultimately passed. The con.
test in the Senate was animated but
less acute. the Senate changing the en-
tire scope of the measure by adding q
complete form Of civil government. In
this form, raising revenue and estab-
fishing an island government, the
measure became law. subsequently it
was amended so as to limit corporate
franchises. and on the Presidents rec
ommendation an act was passed appro-
priatilg for the use OF Porto Rico for
the s2.095.455 collected from island
sources since its acquisition.
Next in Importance in the acco,np-
lished work OF the session is the act
Ito provide a government for the Ter
r:tory CT Hawaii. The debates on it
division. save on matters OF detail. The
act provides system Of government
much like that Of Territories, with a
governor appointed by the President,
legislature of two houses, franchise
rights practically the same as those Of
voters in the United States, with the
additional qualification that voter
shall be "able to speak, read and write
the English or Hawaiian language"
Administrative and judicial officers are
provided, and the island is given a
Delegate to the House Of Representa-
tives of the United States, chosen by
the people, with right to debate in
the House, but not right to vote.
CUBA AND THE PHILIPPINES.
The Philippines and Cuba have occu-
pied much attention in the way OF de-
bate and the adoption Of resolutions OF
inquiry. The Spooner bill providing
that when all insurrection against the
authority of the United States shall be
at an end then all military, civil, and
judicial powers shall, unless otherwise
provided by Congress, be carried on
under the direction of the President
formed the basis of the Senatorial de-
bate on the Philippines, bat was fruit
less of action. The only legislation az
to Cuba e of comparatively minor
character, relating to Cuba shipping.
The extradition bill, applying to all
lnsular possessions and dependencies,
has passed both Houses and doubtless
will become law. 1t is designed main
ly to reach cases like that of Charles
F. w. Neely.
The Nicaragua Canal bill and the
shipping subsidy bill are notable in
stances of legislation partly advanced
during the present session, but not en-
acted into law. The canal bill has pass
ed the House and has been made the
special oder in the Senate, beginning
December 10 next. The shipping bill is
on the calendar Of each House, with
favorable recommendation from a ma
Iority membership, of the Senate and
House committees.
ATTENTION PAID TO TRUSTS.
Anti-trustlegislation has come prom
,nentlv into attention in the House al
'.he close Of the session, the House hay
ing passed a new antitrust bill and
defeated a constitutional amendment
The Senate has passed a bill 70:
cable to the Philippines and beyond, to
be constructed and continued under
government control, but no action has
been taken on it in the House. The re-
striction of oleomargarine has been
productive of considerable agitation,
mainly in committee, and radical re-
strictive bill has been reported to the
House
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present Con-
greSs, largely as a result of the efforts
of the Grand Army of the Republic,
which secured the passage of bill
amending the law of June 81, 1890, so
as to permit the "aggregating" of disa-
bilities, and changing the provision as
to widows so that a widow may re-
ceive pension when she is without
means Of support other than her daily
labor, and has an actual net income
not exceeding $3.50" etc.
The "free homes" act has at last be-
come law. 1t provides for the patentins
of homesteads on the public lands ac'
Quired from the Indians, on the pay
ment of the usual fees, and no Other
further charges. This opens to free
homestead entry many millions OF
acres public lands in the West
heretofore sold at stated figures pei
acre. Another measure passed of some
general interest permits the Secretary
of Agriculture to restore game birds
which are becoming extinct, and pro-
yides means for the restriction oil