The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1900-06-15

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on matters Of detail. The act provides
q system at government much like that
oftterrttcries, with q governor appointed
by the president, q legislature Of two
houses, franchise rights practically the
same Is these OF voters In the United
States, with an additional qualification
that q 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 to the house Of repre-
sentatives Of the United States, chosen
by the people. with a right to debate In
the house, but not 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 instruction against the au-
thority of the United States shall be at
an end, then all military, civil and judicial
powers shall, unless otherwise provided
by congress, be carried ON under the d.
rectton Of tire president, formed the basis
OF the senatorial debate on the Philip
pine bill. but was .fruitless of action. The
only legislation as to Cuba Is OF conn
parat.vely minor character, relating to
Cuban shipping.
Tn. extradnio:a bill, applying to all In
sula: possessions and dependencies. has
passed both houses, and doubtless will
become law. Il is designed mainly to
reach cases like that Of Charles F. w.
l'eely.
Canal and Shipping Subsidy.
The Nicaragua 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 teen made the special order in the
senn.c, beginning Dec 10 next. The Ship
ping bill is or the calendar Of each house,
with favorable Recommendation from a
majority membership Of the senate and
house committees. Antitrust legislation
has come prominently into attention in
the house at the close Of the session, the
house having passed Il new antitrust bill,
and
Defeated a Constitutional Amend.
ment.
The senate has passed a bill for a cable
to the Philippines and hey ond, 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 agitation.
mainly in committees, and a radical re-
stricttve bill has been reported to the
house.
The General Pension Laws
have been materially changed by the
present congress, largely as the result
of the efforts of the Grand Army Of the
Republic. which secured the passage of
bill amending the law Of June q, 1890,
SO as to permit the "aggregating" of dis
abilities and changing 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 income not exceeding
$780," etc. &-asa
The Free Homes Act
has at last become law. 1t provides for
the patenting of homesteads on the pub
lie lands acquired from the Indians on
the payment Of the usual fees, and no
other or further charges. This opens 10
free homestead entry many millions of
acres OF public lands in the West, hereto
fore sold at stated figures per acre.
Another measure passed Of some gen.
eral interest permits the secretary Of ag.
riculture to restore game birds which are
becoming extinct, and provides means for
the restriction Of traffic in dead animals,
BIRDS etc., from state to state, the lat
ter provision being in part designed to
limit the destruction Of song birds fort
sale of their plumage.
Among other miscellaneous acts of the
session are those for the preservation of
the historic frigate Constitution and for
extending the work Of
The Twelfth Census, i,
Consideration Of general legislation Is
carried on appropriation bills. These pro-
visions include the amendment to the
military academy bill making the COM
handing general of the army lieutenant
general and the adjutant general Of the
army major general; also the amend
ment to- the sundry civil bill appropriate
Ing 100000 for the st. Louis EXPOSE
ton. Both Of these bills are still pend
Ing. The naval appropriation bill adds
TWO battlcships, three protected cruisers,
three armored cruisers and five subnaa-
rlne boats to the naval strength, and
may include special legislation as to ar
NOR plate and a government plant. The
other appropriation bills in the main
carry the usual government supplies.
The Alaska Code Bill,
giving a complete system Of laws to the
territory, has passed both houses and
undoubtedly will become law. Other
measures which have passed one house
or the other but are still pending, in
clude those for the election of senators
HHry <t~
to appoint a commission to study COM
mercial conditions in China and japan;
for increasing the efficiency Of the army
by making service in the staff corps
temporary; extending the eight-hour law
and increasing the annual allowance to
the militia Of the country from $500, 600
to 100000.
What Afled HIM