The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1900-06-05

ed 1t al TIA otksr queztion uhaah e.
cited fhs NEST popular interest," ana cnzlsd
forth the most stirring debate was n
Porto Rican tariff. A few ahis nepahli-
cans favored fres trade anA thsy
were Joined b. the great majority Of ths
Democratic minority. Ths vIsws of the
Ways and Means Committee. which had
recommended n small duty prevailed,
with The understanding that all the pro-
Deeds Of the duty should be used for the
benefit Of Porto Rico and that
the tariff should expire when
ever an Internal revenue system had
been devised that would produce money
enough to pay the expenses Of the govern
ment Of the island. Subsequently the
Senate Joined 10 the House tariff bill .
measure for the government Of Porto
Rico, and this together with the tariff
bill, passed both Houses and became n
law by the Presidents signature. Con-
siderInx the commotion which the tariff
question caused all over the country.
when It was under discussion, the quick
ness with which the excitement subsidized
after the bill became law was remarka-
Bile. Today the question and the vigor-
GUS, and even acrimonious debate which
it aroused, are almost forgotten. An
other measure of general interest passed
by the House, but which failed In the
Senate, was the bill to build the Niearn-
qua canal. II was In many ways an Ill
considered measure, and 1t Is probably
only the truth to say that it would never
have passed the popular branch had 1t
not been understood that the Senats
world held it up until certain data which
were needed for intelligent action were at
hand, and treaty with which 1t was In
conflict had been abrogated. The great
change that three years have wrought
In the opinion of the people regarding
the currency was made apparent by the
passage of the gold standard bill with
little debate and with little opposition
except of a perfunctory sort. Four years
aro such a measure would have torn the
country from center to circumference.
Besides the legislation for Porto Rico
Hawaii has been provided with form OF
government, but the Spooner bill provid-
ing a provisiona government for the
Philippines failed because Of Democratic
opposition and lack of time. The latter
part of the session Of the House has been
occupied almost exclusively with trust
legislation. The constitutional amend
mont comforting upon the national gov
eminent additional powers. failed for
hack of a two-thirds majority, but the
bill amending and strengthening the
sherman antitrust law passed the House
and will fail in the Senate, IL it does fail,
only from hack of time. The measure
of most Importance which failed to GIT
any consideration at all except favora-
Bile report from the Senate COMMITTEES
was the Hanna-P Payne subsidy bill The
measure Is not dead, however, but goes
over to the short session when, IL circum :
stances favor, 1t will be taken up and
passed.
or course in this summary are included
only the more important measures, those
which have excited widespread interest.
An enumeration of bills of minor impor-
lance would very greatly extend this
summary. The session has been an ex-
ceedingly busy one, and considering that
presidential campaign was to follow
ON its heels has been remarakably free
from measures offered or passed purely
for political purposes. 1t has been Ear
more a business session than sessions
Immediately preceding presidential cleo
ton are apt 10 be-