The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-04
corning the interoceanic canal go over
without action.
Financial Act Le.d..

Financial Act Leads.
OF the legislation actually accomplished
and now on the statute books. the hnan-
cal act is regarded al the chief achieve
rent. The noteworthy feature Of the de-
bate on this measure in the house was
that party lines were broken to some ex-
tent number Of Democrats from the
Eastern and New England states Joining
with the ma jor.ty in passing It. In the
senate. also. party lines were not entirely
regarded. Senators Lindsay and Canery
voting for the measure and Mr.. Chandler
against It
As IL became a law. by the presidents
signature on March II. It makes specific
the declaration OF the gold standard, pre-
vidss a treasury reserve OF $4,000 900 and
establishes a division Of Issue and redenp-
ton OF the treasury. provides for the re-
demps.on and reissRie o. Understanding
bonds Of the United States and makes
new regulations as TO the national banks.
their regulation estimate in small com
nn,frsfties and the tax they pay. The acc
also contains a specific declaration that It's
provisions "are not intended TO preclude
the accomplishment OF international BIZ
metalsnA"
Puerto Rican Legislation.
Puerto Rico legislation has been the noat
fruitful theme ~ controversy In and OUT
Of congress during the session The as
cusson first turned the revenue oil'
levying a duty Of 10 per cent. OF the DING
ley rates on Puerto Rico goods. The ma
thrifty of the ways and means committee
urged the constitutionaiity and necessity
~ .s4s course while the minority rein
SorceS nv Mr. Mccall. OF Massachusetts
member OF the majority. maintained mat
tho constitution OF the United states eN-
landed To Puerto Rico and that congress
was inaugurating a new ana dangerous
preceaen. by giving the Island any other
inv than that Of the rest OF the country.
rXc,,ement ran high, under the spur OF
widespread public attention.
IT.. debate I'm the house was signalized
~, the sivislon Of the majority. which Tor
time made the result doubtful. but the
tu, ultimately passed The contest In the
.or,ts was animated but less acute, the
senate changing tho entire scope or the
measure by adding n complete form OK
civil government. In this form. raising
revenue and establishing an island gov
crprent the measure became law. SUD-
seauentIy II was amended so ms to iimit
corporate franchises and. on the pres'-
dents recommendation. an act was passed
appointing for the use az Porto Rico the
ss oss VS collected from island sources
since its acquisition.
Territory Of Hawaii
Mart IN Importance 10 the act ITO pro-
vide A government for the territory OF
Hawaii"
The debates on II In the senate ana
house aroused little division, save on mat
ters OF detail. The act provides system
Of government much like that OF terri
tories. with n governor appointed by the
presidcnt, 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 ana write
the English or the Hawaiian language
Administrative and Judicial officers are
provided and the island is given dele
wate 10 the house OF representatives OF
the United States, chosen by tn people.
with a right TO debate In the house, but
not a right TO vote.
Cuba asa the Philippines.
The Philippines and Cuba have received
much attention. in the way OF debate. and
the adoption OF resolutions OF inquiry.
The spooner bill. providing that when all
insurrect.ou against the authority or tho
United States shall unless otherwise pro
ylded by congress. be carried on under the
direction OF the president. formed the
baais of senatorial debate. but was fruit
less Of action
The only legislation as TO Cuba Is
comparatively minor character relating to
Cuban shipping.
Tho extradition bill. applying to all In
suiar possessions and dependencies, has
passed both houses, and doubtles win be-
come a law. II In designed mainly TO
reach cases like that OF Charles r. w.
Medley.
shipping aud Canal Bilis.
The Nicaraguan canal bill. and the ship
ming subsidy bill are notable Instances OF
legislation partly advanced during tho
present session but not enacted into law.
Tho canal bill has passed the house and
has heeu made the special order in the
senate beginning December 10 The ship
ping hill is on the calendar Of each house.
with favorable recommendation from a
majority membership.
Antitrust legislation has become prom
inentiy into the attention Of the house at
the close ~ the session, the house having
passed new antitrust bill, and defeated
a constitutional amendment
The senate has passed hill for a cattle
10 the Philippines and beyond, 20 be con
strrictcd aud maintained undcr govern
mrnt aid. but no action has been taken
on Il In I've house,
The restriction ~ oleomsrgarine has
been productive Of considerable agitation,
Inainly in committees and a radical re-
stricsivc bin has been reported to tho
house,
CHANGE on Pension Laws.
The general pension laws have been ma
turlally changed by the present con-
gross largely result Of the efforts
Of the Grand Army ~ the Repuhlto witch
SECURED the passage " a tiu. amending
tho Law 20 June .. lSp. so as - qcrgnit
the "argrvratinK" of disabilities and
changing The provision as TO widows 80