The Saint Paul globe., 1900-06-04

ciaI act is regarded as the chief achieve
ment of the year. AS it became a law
by the presidents signature On March Il.
it makes specific the declaration of the
gold standard, provides treasury reserve
of $3.50, ,000, ,00O establishes a division of is
sue and redemption of the treasury, pro-
vides for the redemption and reissue of
interest-bearing bonds of the United
States, and makes new regula tons as to
national banks, their circulation, estab-
lishment in small communities and the
tax they pay. The act also contains a
specific declaration that its provisions
ARE not intended to preclude the accom-
plishment of international bimetaliism.'
PORTO RICO LAWS.
Porto Rico legislation has been the most
fruitful theme of controversy in and out
of congress during the session. The dis
cussion first turned on the revenue bill,
levying a duty of Is per cent of the Ding
ley rates on Porto Rico goods. The ma
1ority Of the ways and means committee.
urged the constitutionality and necessity
of this course, while the minority, rein
forced by Mr.. Mccall Of Massachusetts.
a member of the majority, maintained
that the legislation of the United States
extended to Porto Rico, and that con-
gress was inaugurating new and dan
gerous precedent by giving the island any
other law than that of the rest of the
country. The bill ultimately passed
The contest in the senate was animat-
ed 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 establish
ing an island government, the measure
became a law. Subsequently it was
amended so as to limit corporate fran
chises, and an act was passed appropriat-
ing for the use of Porto Rico the 81. .O95. 455
collected from island sources since its
acquisition.
Another piece of work was the act 'to
provide a government for the territory of
Hawaii"
ment much like that Of territories, with a
governor appointed by the president. q
legislature of two houses, franchise rights
practically the same as those of voters
in the United States, with the additional
qualification that a voter shall ''be abe To
speak, read and write the English or the
Hawaiian language Administrative and
judicial officers are provided. and the
island is given a delegate to the house
of representatives of the United States.
chosen by the people, with a right to de-
bate in the house, but not a right to
vote.
The Philippines and Cuba have occupied
much attention in the way of debate 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.
other than provided by congress. be car
ried on under the direction of the presi-
dent, formed the basis of the senatorial
debate on the Philippine bill, but was
fruitless of action. The only !cgisla ton
as TO CUBA is or scompaTatively minor
character, relating to Cuban shipping
The extradition bill, applying to all in
sular possessions and dependencies hos
passed both houses, and doubtless will
become a law. 1t is designed mainly ia
reach cases like that Of Charles r. w
Neely.
MEASURES DELAYED.
The Nicaraguan canal bill and the shin
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
mas been made the special order in the
senate, beginning Dec. 10 next. The ship
ping bill is on the calendar of each house
with favorable recommendation from a
majority membership of the senate and
HouSe committees. Anti-trUSt legislation
has come prominently into attention in
the house at the close of the session. the
house having passed new antitrust bill
and defeated a constitutional amendment
The senate has passed a bill for cable
to the Philippines and beyond, to be con-
structed and maintained under govern
ment control, but no action has been
taken on it in the house.
The restriction of oleomargarine has
been productive of considerable agita
ton, mainly in committees, and a radi-
cal restrictive bill has geen reported to
the house.
PENSION LAWS
The general pension laws have been ma
terially changed by the present congress,
largely as a result of the efforts of the
Grand Army of the Republic, which Sc
cured the passage of a bill amending the
law of June 27, 1890, so as to permit the
"aggregating' of disabilities and chang
ing the provision as to widows so that a
widow may receive pension when she is
without means of support other than her
daily labor, and has an actual net in
come not exceeding $3.50 ETC.
The free homes act has at last become
law. 1t provides for the patenting of