The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1900-06-15
SUMMARY OF LEGISLATION ENACTED.
I'm Actual Work the Record Stands
Well I'm Compa rison with the Most
Energetic COngresses-Our New
Territorial Possessions and FL
nances Given Special Attention.

close of the war. But in work actually ac-
complished and started toward accom-
plishment the record of the present session
stands well in comparison with the most
energetic congresses.
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 majority membership of the SEN
ate and house committees.
Some Unpleasant Features.
The exclusion of Brigham H. Roberts
from seat in the house because of his
polygamous status, the refusal of the
senate to admit Mr.. Quay on the APP
pointment of the governor of Pennsyl-
vania, and the sensational charges, in
veStigatiOn and developments in the SEN
ate in the case of Mr.. Clark, of Mon
tana. have added some exciting personal
phases to the session.
Treaties Acted Upon.
The senate in executive session has
being occupied to considerable extent
with important treaties. OF these the
treaties with Great Britain and Germany
closing the triDartite government in
Samoa and awarding to the United States
the island of Tutuila, with it's valuable
harbor of Pago-Pago, has been ratified,
while the commercial reciprocity treaties
with France and British West Indian is
lands and the Hay-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 it. In the senate also
party lines were not entirely regarded.
Senators Lindsey and Caffrey voting for
the measure and Senator Chandler against
1t. AS it became law by the presidents
signature. on March IA, it makes specific
the declaration of the gold standard, pro-
vides treasury reserve of $3.50 900, 600, eS-
tablshes division of issue and redemp-
ton of the treasury, provides for the re-
demption and reissue of Understanding
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 declaration
that its provisions 'are not intended to
preclude the accomplishment of interna-
tional bimetallism."
Porto Rican Revenues.
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
jority of the ways and means committee
urged the constitutionality 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 to 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 signalized by the division of the
majority, which for 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 complete
form of civil government. In this form,
raising revenue and establishing an island
government, the measure became law.
Subsequently it was amended SO as to limit
corporate franchises, and on the preSi-
dents recommendation an act was passed
appropriating for the use of Porto Rico the
SG,UJ0 HOO COtGClSo lEOm lSldHo SOuE CCS SlACS
its acquisition.
Our New POsxessiOns.
Next in Importance in the accomplished
work of the session is the act ito provide
a government for the territory of Hawaii"
The debates on it in the senate and house
aroused little division save on matters of
detail. The act provides 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 voter shall fbe 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 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.
Pensions.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present con-
of the Grand Army of the Republic,
which secured the passage of bill
amending the law of June n, 1890, so
as to permit the 'aggregating" of disa-
bilities, and changing the provision as
to widows so that a widow may receive
support other than her daily labor, and
has an actual net income not exceeding
$780," etc.
"Free Homes" Act.
The free homes" act has at last be.
come law. It provides for the patenting
of homesteads on the public lands &C
quired from the Indians on the payment
of the usual fees and no other or further
charges This opens to free homestead
entry many millions of acres Of public
lands in the west, heretofore sold at
stated figures per acre.
Other Legislation.
Among other miscellaneous acts of tile
session are those for the preservation Of
the historic frigate Constitution and for
extending the work of the twelfth census.
Considerable general legislation is carried
on appropriation bills. These provisions in
clude the amendment to the military acad-
envy bill making the commanding general
of the army a lieutenant general. and the
adjutant general of the army major gen.
eral: also the amendment to the sundry
civil bill appropriating $5.000.000 for the st.
Louis exposition.