Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1900-06-14

sessions on record Inc term long" ar-
plying to those sessions opening In de-
ccmbcr of the odd numbered years and
continuing as long as Congress secs ht.
while the short" sessions beginning in
December of the even years must expire
by constitutional limitation on the ith of
March following. -Four years ago when
Mr.. Reed then speaker of the House, was
a candidate for the republican nomination
for the presidency. the idea Of bringing
the work Of Congress to an end in early
summer was acted upon, the session end
ing on Friday, June IL, four days later
than the date of final adjournment this
year. In 1892. however. whom Gen. Harri-
son was President and Mr.. Crisp was
speaker Congress remained in session un-
til August >, while in the last part of the
first Cleveland administration in 1855 the
session Of Congress continued until Octo-
her 20, a period of 81 days. making the
longest session on record. The idea OF
early adjournment of Congress in presi-
dental years is likely TO remain popular,
particularly as a Congress not in session
can not make mistakes and the Reed scs-
sion is likely to be revived every four
years.
Speaking specifically of the work of the
tifty-Sith Congress, few Congresses have
had more important subjects with which
10 deal. The all absorbing and overshad-
owing issues, of course have been those
growing out of our war with Spain. Por-
to Rico has been provided with an efficient
government and important legislation
with reference to Cuba has also been pass
ed. Had the revolution i'm the Philippines
been suppressed to a degree sufficient to
warrant legislation, that archipelago
would undoubtedly have been provid d
with a stable government. But for the
overshadowinE Importance Of the Philip
pine controversy the formation Of a gov
ernment for Hawaii would have attract
ed world wide attention, but as it was
this momentous legislation was scarcely
noticed. Congress took decided ground in
/ relation to the Nicaragua canal, and al
though no distinct progress was made in
actual legislation in that direction. it is
safe to say that the way has been pre-
pared for early as well as decisive ac-
ton looking to the construction of this
great interoceanic waterway.
The most important Legislative act Of
the Fifty-Sixth Congress Of a domestic
! character was the passage of the currency
law, the beneficent effect of which is ali
ready felt in great variety of directions.
The army reorganization bill did not be-
come a law. but Congress appropriated
100000 for the equippiug of the mill
tia in different States, and II provided for
a great variety of acts of lesser import
ancc such as the free homes bill, opening
up new land to settlers. the suppression
of Interstate traffic in prson-made goods
and other measures.
That the Tifty-Sixth Congress took adj
government and improved public morals
Is evident from consideration of its acts
The expulsion of Roberts, the Utah poly
Samst. from the House, was "A gratifying
victory for good government As we'll as
pure homes, and this action will be re-
garded AS a precedent for all time to
come. The refusal of the Senate to allow
Boss Quay of Pennsylvania and CLARK of
Montana to take seats in that body in an
irregular manner is also matter for
public congratulatioE. 1t is to be regret
ted that the declaration of the House
against trusts and the amendment of the
sherman antitrust law could not have
been carried to logical contamination.
! but the attitude of the majority is sufli-
cient to show that these combinations must
early settle accounts with the people. on
the whole Congress made an excellent rec
ord. and one that will unquestionably lie
well supplemented during the short ses-
SION which will begin next Docembc:.