Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1899-1903, 1900-06-07
to preclude the accomplishment of in
ternational bimetallism.''

most fruitful theme of controversy
in and out of congress during the ses-
sion. The discussion first turned on
the revenue bill, levying duty OF Is
per cent of the Dingley rates on Porto
Rico good. The majority of the
ways and means committee urged the
constitutionality and necessity of this
course, while the minority, reinforced
by Mr.. Mccall of Massachusetts, a
member of the majority, maintained
that the constitution Of the United
States extended to Porto Rico and that
congress was inaugurating new and
dangerous precedent by giving the is
land any other law than that of the
rest of the country.
Excitement ran high under the spur
of public attention. The debate in tine
house was signalized by the division of
the majority, which for a time made
the result doubtful, but the bill ulti-
mately passed. The contest in the
senate was animated but less acute,
= = D.
the senate changing the entire scope
of the measure by adding complete
form of civil government. In this form,
raising evenue and establishing an is
land government, the measure became
a law. Subsequently it was amended
so as to limit corporate franchises, and
on the presidents recommendation an
act was passed appropriating for the
use of Porto Rico the So ,o95,455 collect
ed from island sources since its acquis-
ition.
| Next in Importance in the accom-
plished work of the session is the act
''to provide a government Tor the ter
ritory of Hawaii" The debates on it
in the senate and house aroused little
division save on matters of detail. The
act provides system of government
much like that of territories, with a
governor appointed by the president,
a legislature of two houses, franchise
rights practically the same as those. of
voters in the United Sttaes, with the
additional qualification that a voter
shall ''be able to speak, read and write
the English or the Hawaiian, lan-
guage." Y,
Administrative and judicial officers
are provided, and the island is given a
delegate to the house Of. representa-
tives of the United States, chosen by
the people, with a right to debate in
the house, but not a right to vote.
The Philippines and Cuba have occu-
pied much attention in the way of de-
bate and the adoption of resolutions
of inquiry. The Spooner bill, provid-
| ing that when all Instruction against
the authority of the United States
shall be at an end, then all military,
civil and judicial powers shall, until
otherwise provided by congress, be
carried on under the direction of the
president formed the basis of SEN
atorial debate on the Philippines, but
was fruitless Of action. The only leg
islation as to Cuba is Ola comparative
ly minor character, relating to Cuban
shipping. ..l, q
The extradition bill, applying to all
insular possessions and dependencies,
has passed both houses and doubtless
| will become law. It is designed
mainly to reach cases like that of
Charles r. w. Nicely. .nta
| The Nicaraguan canal bill and the
shipping subsidy bill are notable in
stances of legislation partly advanced
during the session but not enacted into
law.
The canal bill has passed the house
and has been made the special order Of
the senate beginning December 10,
next.
The shipping bill is on the calendar
for each house with favorable recon-
mendation from majority member
ship Of the senate and house commit
tees.
Antitrust legislation has come prom
inently into attention in the house at
the close of the session, the house hay-
ing passed new antitrust bill and de-
feated constitutionalIam amendment.
The senate has passed a bill for a
cable to the Philippines and beyond,
to be constructed and maintained un-
der government control, but no action
has been taken on it in the house.
The restriction of oleomargarine has
been productive of considerable agita-
tion, mainly in committees, and rad
ical restrictive bill has been reported
to the house.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the present
congress, largely as a result of the eff
forts of the Grand Army of the Repub-
4 lie which secured tha pacsaua of a hill