The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1900-06-06
WORK OF CONGRESS-.
BUSIEST SESSION, so OFFICIALS SAY,
IN MANY YEARS.
Financial Law Accomplished-Mea to
Aid Porto Ricons Passed-A Form of
Government and Means of Raising
Revenue For Island Adopted.


Government and Means of Raising
Revenue For Island Adopted.
WASHINGTON, June 4.-The record of
the first session of the Fifty-sixth con-
gress is now practically closed, and it is
possible to survey the important work it
has accomplished during the last six
months. II has been busy congress,
busiest, according to veteran officials, i'll
many years. In some respects the work
has been less exciting trau 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. In work actually accom-.
phshed and started toward accomplish
ment, the record of the present session
stands well i'll comparison with the most
energetic congresses.
Our new territorial possessions have
received much attention and while
there has been no definite action as to
as to the Philippines or Cuba, a
form of government, and means Of
raising revenue has been provided for
Porto Rico, and comprehensive terri
torial form of government has been
given TO Hawaii. The financial act has
made important changes in the laws re-
lating to the parity of metals, the
bonded Indebtedness, national banks
and the security of the treasury by
gold reserve. The Nicaraguan canal
bill has passed the house and is on the
calendar CT the senate ready for atten'
ton when congress reconvenes. The
antitrust bill is similarly advanced. The
trust constitutional amendment has
defeat recorded against it.
The Pacific cable measure has passed
the senate and is awaiting final action
in the house. The exclusion of Brig
ham II. Robert, from seat in the
house because of his polygamous status,
the refusal of the senate to admit Mr..
Quay on appointment of the governor
of Pennsylvonia, and the sensational
charge, Investigation and developments
III the senate in the case of Mr.. Clark,
of Montana, have added some exciting
personal phases to the session. Investi-
cations have been prolific, including the
inquiry into the Couer dAlene mining
riots in Idaho, the various inquiries on
polygamy growing out of the Roberts
case, and more recently the senate in
vestigation of the postal and other ir
regularities in Cuba.
The total of appropriations cannot yet
be stated with exactness, as five bills
are pending, but it is approximately
| 800, 900, 600 for the session.
The senate, i'll executive session, has
been occupied to considerable extent
with important treaties. Of these the
| treaties with Great Britain and Ger.
many closing the tripartite government
in Samoa and awarding to the United
States the island of Tatuila. with its
valuable harbor of Pago Pago, has been
ratified. while the commercial recip-
rocity treaties with France and the
British West Indian islands, and the
Hay -Pauncefote treaty concerning the
inter-oceanic canal, go over without
action.
OF the legislation actually accom-.
plished and now on the statute books,
the financial act is regarded as the chief
achievement of the year.
An act providing tariff 10 per cent
of the Dingley rate for Porto Rico and
providing civil government passed, also
on the presidents recommendation an
act was passed appropriating for the
use of Porto Rico, the $2,095, ,455 col
lected from island sources since its &C.
quisition.
An act also passed to provide gov.
ernment for the territory of Hawaii.
The Philippines and Cuba have occu-
pied much attention in the way of de-
bate and the adoption of resolutions of
inquiry. The Spooner Philippine bill
failed to be acted upon. The only legis.
lation as to Cuba is of comparatively
minor character, relating to Cuban
shipping.
The extradition bill, applying to all
insular possessions and dependencies,
has passed both houses and doubtless
become law. 1t is designed mainly
to reach cases like that of Charles +.
w. Nicely.
The NicBaguan 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 passed
the house and was 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 Il majority men,
bership of the senate and house COM
mittees.
Antitrust legislation has come promi.
nently 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 bill for cable
to the Philippines and beyond, to be
constructed aud maintained under gov
ernment control, but no action has been
Aken on it in the house.
The restriction of oleomargarine has
Teen productive of considerable agita-
tion, mainly in committees, and a rad
ical restrictive bill has been reported to
the house.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present
congress, largely as result of the ef-
forts of the Grand Army Of the Repub-