The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-04

by the division OF the majority. which
for time made the result 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 COM
plete form Of civil government.
To Provide a Government for
HnWaii.
In this form, raising revenue and es-
tablishing an island government, the
measure became law. Subsequently
It was amended SO as to limit corporate
franchises, and on the Presidents rec
ommendatlon an act was passed appro-
priating for the use OF Porto Rico the
S2,Og5, 455 collected from island sources
since Its acquisition.
Next I'm Importance In the accom-
piished work Of the session is the act
ito provide government for the ter
rItory Of Hawaii" The debates on 1t in
the senate ana house aroused little d.
vision save on matters OF detail. The
act provides system of government
much like that Of territories, with u
governor appointed by the President,
legislature Of two houses, franchise
rights practically the Same as those OF
voters in the United States, with the
additional qualifications that a voter
shall be "able to speak, read and write
the English or Hawaiian language"
Administrative and judicial officers arc
provided, and the island is given del
egate to the house OF Representatives of
the United States. chosen by the peo-
pie, with a right to debate in the
house, but not right to vote.
spooner Bill Fruitless Of Action.
The philippines andtcuba have Occu-
pied much attention in the way Of de
bate and the udoptiun of resolutions of
inquiry. The spOoner bill providing
that when all insurrectfon against the
authority of the United States shall be
at an end then all military, civil and
judicial powers shall. otherwise pro-
vided bysCongress, be carried on under
the direction OF the President, formed
the basis OF the senatorial debate on
the Philippines, but was fruitless of &C
ton. The only legislation as to Cuba
is OF comparatively minor character,
relating to Cuban shipping.
The extradltlon bill, applying to all
insulnr possessions and dependencies,
has passed both houses, and doubtless
Will become a law. It is designed to
reach caes like that of Charles F. w.
Neely.
Partly Advanced, but Not Enacted.
The Nicaraguan canal bill and the
shipping subsidy bill are notable in
stances of legislation partly advanced
during the present session, but not en-
acted 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
ts on the calendar OF each house with
fsTUfsi5lgs Recommendation from q ma
jority membership Of the senate and
house committees.
Antitrust legislation has come prom
lnently into attention in the house at
the close of the session. the house hav-
ing passed a new antitrust BILL and de-
feated a constitutional amendment.
The senate has passed blu for
cable to the Philippines and beyond,
to be constructed and maintained un-
der government control. but no action
has been taken on 1t In the house.
The restriction OF oleomargarine has
been productive of considerable agita-
ton, mainly in committees. and u rad-
lcal restrictive bill has been reported
to the house.
General Pension Laws Changed.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present Con-
gress largely as a result of the Efforts
Of the Grand Army of the Republic,
which secured the passage OF q bill
amending the law Of June a. 1880. SO
as to permit tho ''aSsregatIng" Of dis
abilities, and changing the provision
as to widows so that u widow may re-
ceive pension when she is without
means of support, and has an actual
net income not exceeding $3.50.
The free homes" act hns at last be-
come a law. It provides for the pat
cntlng of homesteads on the public
lands acquired from the Indians. on
the payment OF the usual fees and no
other or further ohnEges, This opens
TO free homestead entry many millions
of acres Of public lands in the west
heretofore sold at stated figures per
acre.
For Protection Of Birds.
Another measure passed of some gen
eral interest permits tho secretary of
agriculture to restore game birds which
are becoming extinct and provides
means for the restriction Of traIflc In
dead animals, birds, etc., from stnte
to state. the latter provision being in
part designed to limit 'Ehe destruction
of song birds for the sale Of their plu-
mage.
Among other miscellaneous acts of the
session nre 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 include the amendment to
the military academy bill, making the