The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-15
'yVIiA NdRESS HAS DONE.
The session q Nov Practically Closed the Busiest
8s@s III Many Years.
III Many Years.

4 81 49, Akl lvAdll
washington, June a.-The record OF the
1lrst session, of the F1fty-sixth congress
- now practically closed and It Is pos
sibls to survey the important work It has
accomplished during the last six months.
4 has been = busy congress-the busi-
EFT. according to veteran ofnciais, In
many years. In some respects the work
has been less exciting than that Of the
preceding congress, which covered the
dramatic period when war was declared
against Spain, and also the period Of re-
construction and treaty-making with
Spain following the successful close Of
the war. 9gk{
But I'm work actually accomplished
and started toward accomplishment
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 govern
ment and a means of raising revenue
have been provided for Porto Rico and
Q comprehensive territorial form Of gov.
srnl..ent has been given to Hawaii.
The Financial Act
has made important changes in the laws
relating to parity Of metals, the bonded
Indebtedness, national banks and the Sc
curity of the treasury by a gold reserve.
The Nicaragua canal bill has passed the
house and is on the calendar of the SEN
ate, ready for attention when congress
reconvenes. The antitrust bill is similar
ly advanced, the antitrust constitutional
amendment has defeat recorded against
1t. The Pacific cable measure has passed
the senate and is awaiting
Final Action in the House.
from a seat in the house because of his
polygamous status, the refusal of the
senate to admit Mr.. Quay on the appoint
and the sensational charges. investigation
and developments in the senate in the
case Of Mr.. Clark of Montana, 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 growing
out of the Roberts case, and more recent
~ the senate investigation Of the postal
and other Irregularities in Cuba. re-
The Total of Appropriation
cannot yet be stated with exactness, as
i've bills are pending, but 1t is approx
mately $70O.000.000 for the session.
The senate in executive session has been
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 Tutuitla, with its valuable harbor of
Pago-Pago, have been ratified, while the
commercial reciprocity treaties with
France and the British West India
islands and the Hay-Pauncefote treaty
concerning the interoceanic canal, 60 over
without action. -.
OF the legislation actually accom-
pltshed and now ON the statute
books. the financial net ID rcRafdcd
~ the, great achievement of the,
year. f.,se ,r.,--
The noteworthy feature of the debate
on this measure in the house was that
party lines were broken to some extent,
Q number of Democratic members from
the Eastern and New England states
Joining with the majority in passing it.
In the senate also party lines were not
entirely regarded, Senators Lindsay and
Caffrey voting for the measure and Mr..
Chandler against it. AS 1t became law
by the presidents signature on March II,
1t makes specific the declaration Of !,
The Gold Standard y. $.
provides "a treasury reserve of $3.50, OO0 .
600, establishes a division of issue and re-
,demptton of the treasury, provides for
the redemption and reissue of interest
bearing bonds of the United States and
makes new regulations as. to national
banks, their circulation, establishment in
small communities and the tax they pay.
The act ;also contains a specific declara-
ton that its provisions 'tare not intended
to preclude the accomplishment of inter-
national bimetallism."
Porto Rico Legislation
has been the most fruitful theme OF con-
troversy in and out Of congress during the
session. The discussion first turned on
the revenue bill, levying duty of Is per
cent of the Dingley rates on Porto Rico
goods. The majority Of the ways and
means committee urged the constitutions
Altty and necessity of this course. while
the minority. reinforced by Mr.. Mccall Of
massachusetts, a member of .the major
1ty, maintained that the legislation Of the
United States extended to Porto Rico and
that congress was inaugurating "a new
and dangerous precedent by giving the
ISLAND any other law than that tof the
sest Of the country.
Excitement RAN High
sander the spur OF widespread public at
tention The dehate in the house was
Stgpaitzed by the division Of the majority,
which for a time made the result doubt
full, but the bill ultimately passed. The
contest In the senate was animated but
less acute. The senate changed the en-
tire scope OF the measure by adding a
conavlete form Of civil government. In
ttis form, raising revenue and establish
ing an island government, tho measure
became law. Subsequently dt was
amended 90 as to limit corporate Gram
ehfses. and on the presidents recon-
mendation an act was passed appropri-
eting for the use Of Porto Rico the ST.
oe5.455 collected from island sources
since its acquisition.
Government fer Hawaii.