The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1900-06-04
The BUSIEST
CONGRESS In
MANY YEARS.
Less Exciting Than Preceding AS
sembly Which Covered the Dra-
matte War Period.
CANAL BILLPASSES THE HOUSE.
Financial Act Regarded as the Chief
Achievement of the Year-Psrty
Lines Are Broken.

| WASHINGTON, June 3.-Ine EPCoEu
Of the first session of the Fiety-sixth
Congress- is now practically closed, and
It is possible to survey the important
work 1t has accomplished during the
last six months. 1t has been a busy
Congress, the busiest, according to vet
eran officials, in many years. In some
respects the work has been less ex-
citing than that OF the preceding Con-
Rresg. which covered the dramatic Pc
riod when war was declared against
spRin, and also the period OF recon-
struction 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.
Many Important Measures.
Our new territorial possessions have
received much attention, and while
there has been no definite action on the
Philippines or Cuban form Of govern-
ment, and the means Of raising rev.
enue has been provided for Porto Rico,
band a comprehensive territorial form OF
government has been given to Hawaii.
A financial act has made important
changes In the laws relating to the
parity of the metals, the bonded In
debtedness national banks and the Sc
curity of the treasury by gold re-
serve. The Nlcaraguan canal bill has
passed the house and is on the calendar
OF the senate ready for attention when
Congress recouvenes. The antitrust
bill Is similarly advanced. the antitrust
constitutional amendment has defeat
recorded against 1t.
Pacific Cable Measure Awaits Final
Action.
The Pacific cable measure has passed
the senate and is awaiting final action
In the horsse. The exclusion of Brig
ham H. Roberts from seat in the
house because Of his polygamous status,
the refusal Of the senate to admit Mr.
Quay on appointment o. ~ soVerhor
Of Pennsylvania, and the Sensational
charge, investigation and developments
in the sennte in the case Of Mr.. Clark.
of Montana, have added some exciting
personal phases to the session. Tnves-
LEGATIONS have been prolific, including
the inquiry into the Couer d'Alene min
ing riots in Idaho, thr various inquiries
on polygamy growing out Of the Rob-
erts case, and more recently the senate
investigation of the postal and other
Irregularities in Cuba.
The total of appropriations cannot
yet be stated with exactness, as Ave
bills are pending, but 1t is approximate
ly 500, 100000 for the session.
Several Important Treaties.
The senate, In executive session, has
been occupied to considerable extent
with important treaties, or these the
treaties with Great Britain and Ger
many closing the trI-partite govern
ment in sarhoa and awarding to the
United States the island Of Tutuila,
with Its valuable harbor of PaEo Pago,
has been ratified, while the commercial
reciprocity treatle1 with France and
the British West indies Islands, and
the Hay.Pauncefote treaty concerning
the intsr.oceanic canal 80 over with.
out action.
Financial Act Chief Achievement.
OF the legislation actually accom-
ptished and now on the statute books
the financial act is regarded us the
chief achievement OF the year. The
noteworthy feature Of the debate on
this measure in the house was that
party lines wero broken to some ex-
tent, number OF Democratic mem-
berg from the eastern and New England
states joining with tho majority In
passing 1t. In the senate also party
lines were not entirely regarded, sena-
tors Lindsay and Cahrey voting for
the measure and Mr., Chandler against
Il. As II became n law by the Presi-
dents signature, on March II, II mnkes
specific the declaration Of the gold
standard, provides n treasury reserve
Of $3.50 OOO. 900, establishes division Of
issue and redemption of the treasury
provides for the redemption and re-
issue OF interest bearing bonds Of the
United States, and makes new regnia-
tIons as to national banks, their circu-
iatIon, establishment In small ccmmu-
mites and tho tax they pay The act
also contains SPECIFIC declaration TINT
its provisions "are not intended to pre-
clude the accomplishment OF Interna-
tiUnal bi.metallism."
Fruitful Theme Of Controversy.
Porto Rico legislation has been the
most fruitful theme OF controversy In
and out OF Congress during the session.
The discussion first turned on the rev.
enue bill, levying duty of l5 per cent.
Of the Dinghy ratoB on Porto Rico
goods. The minority Of the ways and
means committee urged thu constItu-
tlonallty and necessity Of this course.
while the minority, reinforced by Mr..
Mccall, Of Massachusetts, member of
the majority maintained that thu con-
sutution Of tho United States extended
to Porto Rico and that Congress was
lnauEuratlng new and dangerous pro-
cadcnt by giving the island any other
law than that OF the rest Of tho coun-
try. Excitement run high under the