The Washburn leader. [volume] (Washburn, McLean County, N.D.) 1890-1986, 1900-06-09
WHAT CONGRESS HAS DONE.
The Session Now Practically Closed the Busiest
i'm Many Years.
i'm Many Years.


Washington, June 3.-The record of the
4arst session of the Fffty-sixth congress
Ia now practically closed. and it is pos
sible to survey the important work it has
accomplished during the last six months.
It has been a busy congress-the busi-
est, according to veteran officials, In
many years. In some respects the work
has been less exciting h that of the
preceding congress-, which covered the
dramatic period when war was declared
against Spain, and also the period Of re-
construction n treaty-making with
Spain following the successful close Of
the war.
But in work actually accomplished
and started toward accomplishment
the record of h 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, a form Of govern
ment and a means of raising revenue
have been provided for Porto Rico and
a comprehensive territorial form of gov
eminent 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
" advanced, the antitrust constitutional
amendment has q defeat recorded against
it. The Pacific cable measure has passed
the senate and is awaiting q,
Final Action in the House.
The exclusion Of Brigham H. Roberts
from a seat in the house because of his
polygamous status, the refusal or the
senate to admit Mr.. Quay on the appoint
ment of the governor of Pennsylvania,
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 W
out Of the Roberts case, and more recent
ly the senate investigation of the postal
and. other Irregularities in Cuba.
The Total of Appropriations
cannot yet be stated with exactness, as
five bills are pending, but it is approxi-
mately 500, 600, 900 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, nave been ratified, while the
commercial reciprocity treaties with
France n the British West India
islands and the H~ay-Pauncefote treaty
concerning the interoceanic canal, go over
without action.
of the Regulation actually o
plfshed and now on the statute
books, the financial act is regarded
a. the great achievement of the
year..
The noteworthy feature of the debate
on this measure in the house was that
party lines were broken to some extent,
a number of Democratic members from
the Eastern n New England states
Joining with the majority in passing it.
In the senate also party lines were not
entirely regarded, Senators Lindsay and
Cafrey voting for the measure and Mr..
Chandler against it. AS it became a law
by the presidents signature on March IA,
1t makes specific the declaration Of
The Gold Standard,
provides a treasury reserve of $3.50, O00,-
600, establishes a division of issue and re-
demption 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 hat it's provisions "are not intended
to preclude the accomplishment of inter-
national bimetallisln."
Porto Rico Le2fslatfOn
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 a duty of Is per
cent of the Dingley rates OF Porto Rico
goods. The majority of the ways and
means committee urged the constitution
atty and necessity of this course, while
the minority, reinforced by Mr.. Mccall of
Massachusetts,, a member of the major
fly, 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 of the
rest Of the country.
Excitement Ran High .
under the spur of widespread public at
tention. The debate in the house was
eignalized by the division Of the majority,
which for a time made the result doubt
full, but the bill ultimately passed. The
contest in the senat was animated but
less acute. The senate changed the en-
tire scope of the measure by adding a
complete form of civil government. In
this form, raising revenue and establish
ing an island government, the measure
became a law. subsequently 1t was
amended so as to limit corporate fran
chises, and on the presidents recon-
mendation an act was passed appropri-
ating for the use Of Porto Rico the So,
6b6,455 collected from island sources
since its acquisition.
=. Government for Hawaii.
Next in Importance in the accomplished
work of the session is the act ITO pro-
vide a government for b territory OF
Hawaii" The debates on 1t N the SEN
ste and hoilse aroused little division. save
Not worth Mentionins.
81 have several reasons for not buy
inR the horse,''' said tie man. The first
p thatI haven't the price, and" :.
SgYnu needn't mention the Others