River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1900-06-07
WORK OF CONGRESS-.
Record of First Session of the Fiji
ty-Sixth Legislature.
Many LAWS Covering Nexed cues
lions Have Been Passed-Our New
Possessions Have Received
Much Attention.

Washington, June 4.-rhe record of the
first session of the Fifty-sixth congress is
now practically closed. and il is possible
to survey the important work IL has ac-
complished during the last six months
1T has becn a busy congress--thc busiest
according 10 veteran officials. In many
years. In some respects the work has
been less exciting than that of the pre-
ceding congress, which covered the dra-
matte period when war was declared
against Spain. and also the period of
reconstruction and treaty making with
Spain following the successful close of
the war. But in work actually accom-
plished and started toward accomplish
ment the record of the present congress
stands well in 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 Phil
ippines or Cuba, form of government
and a means of raising revenue has been
provided for Porto Rico. and compre-
hensive territorial form of government
has been given to Hawaii The financial
act has made important changes in the
laws relating to the parity of metals.
the bonded indebtedness. national banks
and the security of the treasury by
gold reserve. The Nicaraguan canal bill
has passed the house and Is on the cal
endar of the senate ready for attention
when congress reconvenes The anti
trust Dill Is similarly ADVANCED lttt anu
trust constitutional amendment has de-
feat recorded against il. The Paclhc
cable measure has passed the senate and
Is awaiting final action in the house
Some Unpleasant Features.
The exclusion of Brigham ii. Roberts
from seat in the house because of his
polygamous status the refusal of the
senate to admit Mr.. quay on the ap-
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, or Mon
tana 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 grow
ing out of the Roberts case, and more re-
Gently the senate investigation of the
postal and other Irregularities in Cuba.
Appropriations.
The total of appropriations cannot yet
he stated with exactness, and hve bllls
are pending. but it is approximately
$500 OOO0O 900 for the session
Treaties Acted Upon.
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 Tutuila, with its valuable
harbor of Pago-Pago, has been ratihed'
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 imam
cal act is regarded as the chief achieve
ment of the year. The noteworthy fea-
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,
Pensions.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present con-
gress. largely as result of the efforts
of the Grand Army of the Republic
which secured the passage of Dill
amending the law of June q. 1890 so
as to permit the "aggregating" of disa-
bilities and changing the provision as
| to widows so that a widow may receive
pension when she is without means OF
support other than her daily labor. and
has. an actual net income not exceeding
$780," etc.
Gree Homes Act.
The free homes" act has at last be-
! CONF law 1t provides for the patenting
/ of homeSteadS on tne puDic ldiiuS az
! quired from the Indians on the payment
of the usual fee and no other or further
I charges This opens to free homestead.
entry many mIInons of acres of public
lands In the west, heretofore sold at
5tated figures per acre.
other Legislation.
other measures which have passed one
house or the other, but are still pending.
| include those for the election of sena-
tors by the people; authorizing the presi-
dent to appoint Il commission to study
| commercial conditions in China and Jap
an; for increasing the efficiency of the
! army by making service in the staff
corps temporary; extending the eight
/ hour law: increasing the annual allow
! ance to the militia of the country from