Evening journal., 1900-06-14

] 4
revenues of the island are sufficient to
pay its expenses absolute free trade
will prevail between the United States
and Porto Rico Much criticism adj
verse to this legislation prevails; but
neither the United States nor any other
country ever before dealt SO generously
with any of its territories, colonies or
districts.
The act to provide a government for
Che territory OF Hawaii was another
important measure, and one for which
Hawaii was impatiently waiting. The
great and unusual responsibilities
thrust upon this Congress by the acqui-
sition of new territory as the result of
the war with Spain were fully met in
the face of opposition not easily ex-
planned. Moreover, Alaska, with a re-
Gently multiplied population engaged
in the feyerish struggle for It's newly
discovered gold, was also clamoring for
laws 10 meet the new conditions. That
demand was met and new code oflaws
for that territory was enacted. Those
laws give to Alaska the best and really
the only good system OF government II
has ever enjoyed. The Grand Army
pension bill. as IL was called. which
was demanded by the Grand Army,
was also put on the statute books. and
there was other legislation in the inter-
est OF the old veterans, their widows
and orphans. The free homes bill, OF
great benefit to the West was passed.
as was the bill of much importance al
lowing the free transportation in bond
of all goods shipped through the
United States from a foreign country
to another foreign country. This
will be OF great benefit to the
shipping interests OF the country. Il Is
not necessary to recapitulate all of
the beneficial acts OF this Congress, but
have mentioned enough to show that
its record is a good one.
The Senate ratified a number OF inn
portant conventions, among them be-
ing the one in regard to the Samoan
group OF island, which will prevent fur
ther friction there and secure to the
United States the harbor OF Pago-Pago
as fine a harbor as there Is in the Pa
cifc, capable of affording safe anchor
age OF our entire feet OF warships.
In addition to the measures which
received the final action of Congress
there were many others OF Importance
that were reported from committees,
and some OF which were passed by
either one House or the other. The Pa |
cific cable bill was passed by the Sen
ate and reported to the House in an
amended form. IL will no doubt In some
form become a law at the next session,
and IL Is a measure needed both for
busienss and military reasons. The |
army reorganization bill passed the
Senate and Is before n House commit |
tee so that 1t can easily be brought /
forward for early action at the next |
session. Some of the provisions of that
bill as Il passed the Senate. particular
ly that In regard to the increase OF
cadets. have already become a law In
a different form. as an amendment to
an appropriation bill. The House passed
an act providing for the construc-
ton OF the Nicaraua canal. and it has
been reported to the Senate and made
a special order for December 10. An
antitrust bill was passed by the House
and Is before a Senate committee. The
Grout oleomargarine bill has been re-
ported to the House and made the spe- |
cial order in that body for December
g. The Senate Committee on Foreign /
Relations reported an important act
providing for the punishment of viola |
tions of the treaty rights of aliens
That Is In a position for early consid- |
GRAFTON. in the next session.
The bill commonly known as the
ship-subsidy bill has been favorably re- |
ported to both houses. regard that as
perhaps the most important legislation
pending before Congress, and It is
now in a good position for early con-
sideration at the next session. An inn
portant bill to promote the efficiency
of the revenue cutter service is on the
Senate calendar ready for action at the
next session. Bills to provide for the
reorganization OF the consular service
are on the calendars of both houses
ready to be taken up when Congress
resumes work. The important measure
to establish q department OF commerce
and industries Is ON the Senate calen-
dar. A bill for preventing the adulter-
alton, misbranding and imitation OF
foods, beverages, ETC., has been report
ed to both houses, and is ready for con-
sideration. A great deal of most valu-
able and important work was accom-
plished in that way by the commit
tees.
The appropriation bills, OF course.
occupied much of the time They were
carefully scrntlnized. and although the
aggregate was large, they will be
found free from all questionable
items. The growth of the country.
shown in part by the enormous in
crease in the postal receipts. and the
continued disorder in the Philippine
Islands. are solely accountable for the
increase in the annual appropriation
bills The first session has made a rec
ord for industry and thoroughness on
which It may well appeal to the ma
tiOn. Il has done much in solving new
and difficult problems. and the Repuh.
lican party can well go TO the people on
that record.
Here is an answer to all that carpinl
! critics can say, on the stump or of of
it
: In an editorial on the Republican