Alma record. (Alma, Mich.) 1878-1928, 1900-06-08

plished during the last six months. 1t has
been a busy cOngress-the busiest, accord
ing TO veteran officials, in many years. In
some respects the work has been less eX-
citing than that of the preceding congress,
which covered the dramatic period when
war was declared against Spain, and also
the period of reconstruction and treaty
making with Spain following the successful
close OF the war. But in work actually ac-
CompllShcd and started toward accom-
pllshmCnt the record of the present session
stands we'll I'm 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 government and means
OF raising revenue has been provided for
Porto RICO and comprehensive territorial
form OF government has been given TO Ha-
wall The financial act has made important
changes in the laws relating to the parity
OF metals, the bonded Indebtedness, ma
tional banks and the security of the treas
ury by a gold reserve. The Nicaraguan
canal bill has passed the house and is on
the calendar of the senate ready for at
tenton when congress reconvenes The
antitrust bill is similarly 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 house
Legislation Partly Advanced.
The Nicaraguan canal bill and the ship
ping subsidy bill are notable instances
of legislation partly advanced during the
present session. but not enacted into law.
The canal bill has passed the house and
has been made the special order In the
senate beginning December 10 next. The
shipping bill is on the calendar of each
house with favorable recommendation
from a majority membership of the SEN
utc and house committees.
Antitrust legislation has come promi-
nontly into attention in the house at the
close Of the session, the house having
passed a new antitrust bill and defeated
u constitutional amendment.
some Unpleasant Features.
The exclusion of Brigham H. Roberts
from a seat in the house because of his
polygamous status, the refusal of the
senate 10 admit Mr.. Quay on the APP
pointmcnt of the governor OF Pennsyl-
Vania, and the sensational charges, in
vcstigation and developments in the SEN
ate in the case of Mr.. Ozark, of Mon
tana, 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 grow
ing out OF the Roberts case, and more re-
Gently the senate investigation OF the
postal and other irregularities in Cuba
Appropriations.
The total of appropriations cannot yet
be stated with eXactness, as five bills
are pending, but ii is approximately
500, 600 900 for the session.
Treaties Acted Upon.
The senate in executive session has
being occupied to a 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 Tutuila, with its valuable
harbor Of Pago-Pago, has been ratified,
while the commercial reciprocity treaties
with France and British West Indian is
lands and the -Pauncefote treaty,
concerning the interoceanic canal, go over
without action.
The Financial Act.
OF the legislation actually accomplished
and now on the statute books, the finan-
cial act Is regarded as the chief achieve
ment Of the year. The noteworthy fea-
ture of the debate on this measure in
the house was that party lines were
broken TO some extent, number OF
democratic members from the eastern
and New England states joining with the
majority in passing IL. In the senate also
party lines were not entirely regarded,
Senators Lindsey and Caffrey voting Tor
the measure and Senator Chandler against
It, As il became law by the presidents
signature, on March il, ii makes specihc
the declaration OF the gold standard, pro-
Vides a treasury reserve OF Sl50,OoOWO, es-
tablishes a division of issue and redemp-
ton of the treasury, provides for the re-
demption and reissue of interest-bearng
bonds of the United States, and makes
new regulations as 10 national banks,
their circulation, establishment In small
communities and the tax they pay. The
act also contains a specific declaration
that its provisions are not intended to
preclude the accomplishment of interna-
t4onal bimetallism'
Porto Ricnn Revenues.
Porto Rico legislation has been the most
fruitful theme OF controversy in ana out
of congress during the session. The dis
cussion first turned on the revenue bill.
lcvving a duty Of 10 per cent. of the Ding
ley rates on Porto Rico goods. The ma
iOrity of the ways and means committee
urged the consttutionality and necessity
Of this course, while the minority, reen-
forced by Mr. Mccall, OF Massachusetts,,
member of the majority, maintained that
the constitution Of the United States eX-
tended 10 Porto Rico. and that congress
was inaugurating new and dangerous pre-
Cedent by giving the island any other law
than that OF the rest of the country. EX-
element ran high under the spur OF wide
spread public attention. The debate in the
house was signalizcd by the division of the
majority. which for a time made the re-
suit doubtful. but the bill ultimately passed.
The contest in the senate was animated but
less acute, the senate changing the entire
scope Of the measure by adding a complete
form Of civil government. In this form,
raising revenue and establishing an island
government. the measure became law
Subsequently IL was amended so as 10 limit
corporate franchises. and on the presi-
dents recommendation an act was passed
appropriating for the use OF Porto Rico the
s. 095. l55 collected from island sources since
its acquisition.
Or New Possessions.
Next in Importance in the accomplished
work of the session s. the act Ito provide
a government for the territory Of Hawaii"
The debates on IL I'm the senate and house
aroused little division save on matters Of
detail. The act provides a system Of gov
eminent much like that Of territories. with
a governor appointed by the president, a
legislature of two houses, franchise rights
practically the same as those Of voters OF
the United States. with the additional
qualification that a voter shall "be able TO
speak. read and write the English or the
Hawaiian language" Administrative and
judicial officers are provided. and the island
IS given a delegate 10 the house OF repre-
sentatives OF the United States. chosen by
the people. with right 20 debate in the
house. but not right 10 vote.
The Philippines and Cuba have occupied
much attention In the way OF debate and
the adoption OF resolutions of inquiry. Tn.