Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1900-06-04
A WORKING t0NGRESS
Busiest, So Officials Say, In
Many Years.
FINANCIAL LAW ACCOMPLISHED.
Measure to Aid Porto Ricons passed--A
Form of Government and Means of
Raising Revenue For Island Adopted.
NoGhing For FiIipinos Accomplished.

INC AlIsb StHslDu VI AtfS y iAkS -StAtH IyD-
gress is now practically closed. and IL is
possible to survey the important work it
has accomplished during the last six
months. 1t has been "a busy congress,
busiest, according to veteran officials. III
many years. In some respects the work
has been less exciting than that Of the
preceding congress, which covered the
dramatic 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. In work actually accom-
plished and started toward accomplish
ment, the record Of the present session
stands well in comparison with the most
energetic congresses.
Our new territorial possessions have
received much attention and while
there has been no definite action as TO
as to the Philippines or Cuba. q
form of government, and a means Of
raising revenue has been provided for
Porto Rico, and comprehensive terri
torial form of government has been
given to Hawaii. The financial act has
made important changes IN the laws re-
46tDluS ~ AiAC lteA4itJ Va 4tAStssAot WV
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
calendar of the senate ready for atten
ton when congress reconyenes. The
antitrust bill is similarly advanced. The
trust constitutional amendment has a
defeat recorded against it.
The Pacific ga olp fnpa Slirp has naSSp0
the senate and is awaiting final action
in the house. The exclusion of Brig
ham H. Robert, from a seat in the
house because of his polygamous status,
the refusal of the senate to admit MIR.
Quay on appointment of the governor
of PennsylYonla, and the sensational
charge, investigation and developments
III the senate in the case of MIR. Clark,
of Montana, have added some exciting
personal phases to the session. Inyestl-
cations have been profile, including the
inquiry into the Couer d Alene mining
riots in Idaho, the various inquiries on
pelvgamy growing out of the Roberts
case, and more recently the senate in
vestigation OF the postal and other IT.
Irregularities in Cuba.
The total Of appropriations cannot yet
be stated with exaetness, as five bills
are pending. but it is approximately
100000, 900 for the session.
The senate, Ill executive session, has
been occupied TO considerable extent
with important treaties. Of these the
treaties VITA Great Britain and Ger
many closing the tripartite government
i'll Samoa aad awarding to the United
States the island of Tatuila. with its
valuable harbor of Page Page, has been
ratified. while the commercial recip-
rocity treaties with France and the
British West Indian islands, and the
Hay-Pauncefote treaty concerning the
inter-oceanic canal, go over without
action.
OF the legislation actually accom-
phshed and now ON the statute books,
the financial act is regarded as the chief
achievement of the year.
An act providing tariff 10 per cent
of the Dlngley rate for Porto Rico and
providing civil government passed, also
ON the presidents recommendation an
act was passed appropriating for the
use of Porto Rico, the 5000, 400 col
lected from island sources since its &C
QUESTION.
An act also passed to provide gov
eminent for the territory 81 Hawaii.
The Philippines and Cuba have occu-
pied much attention i'll the way of de-
bate and the adoption of resolutions of
inquiry The Spooner Philippine bill
failed to be acted upon. The only legis-
lation as to Cuba is of comparatively
minor character, relating to Cuban
shipping.
The extradition bill, applying to all
insllar possessions and dependencies,
has passed both houses and doubtless
become law. 1t is designed mainly
to reach cases like that of Charles +.
w. Nicely.
The Niceraguan canal bill and the
shipping subsidy bin are notable in
stances of legislation partly advanced
during the present session, but not en-
acted into law. The canal bill passed
the house and was made the special
order in the senate beginning December
10, next The shipping bill is on the
calendar of each house with favorable
recommendation from ii majority mem
bership of the senate and house COM
mltteeS.
Antitrust legislation has come promi-
nently into attention in the house at the
close of the session, the house having
passed new antitrust bill and defeated
a constitutional amendment
The senate has passed bill for a cable
to the Philippines and beyond, to be
constructed and maintained under gov
ernment control, but no action has been
taken on it in the house.
The restriction of oleomargarine has
been productive of considerable agita-
ton, mainly in committees and a rad
ical restrictive bill has been reported to
the house.
The general pension laws have been
materially changed by the presene
congress, largely as result of the Ell
forts OF the Grand Army Of the Repub-
lie which secured the passage of u bill
amending tbs law OF June n, $780, so
as to permit the "aggregating" of dis
abilities, and changing the provision as
TO widows 50 that a widow may receive
pensioa when she is without means of
support other than her daily labor, and
had AZ accual net income not exceeding
$3.50, c.
The free homeB' act has at last
become law &c provides for the pa
tenting OF homeassads ON the public
lands acquired Iruin the Indians, ON