The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-06-08
VIEWS on TIE new LAWS
Members ofcongress Express Opin-
ions, on0t the Sessions Work.
Pnrtisnns Widely Differ In Their Es-
timnte dofbfhe Good and EVIL Ac-
complished-Mr. Richardson says
the LcSislation wns PcrniciOus-
Mr.. Payne Declares 1t Was Glorious

The opinions of members of Congress a
to the achievements OF the first session o
the Fifty-sxth are as different as the tw
great political parties. The Republican
profess to be proud of the record whicl
their party has made during the session
| and the Democrats declare that the legis
lation has been so hostile to the interest!
of the people and of such benefit to thu
! trusts and influential classes that Demo
cratic victory at the polls in the next cleo
tion is assured.
| Representative Richardson, floor leader
OF the Democrats, said that the legislation
had been pernicious. Trusts and ether Re-
| publican campaign contributors had been
! reimbursed. The Constitution had been trl-
fled with, and the platform pledges of thu
Republican party had been broken. In sup
| port OF his contention that trusts had
| been petted Mr.. Richardson cited the mock
cry which the Republicans INDUCED in
when they reported from the Committe on
the Judiciary a non-amendable resolution
proposing an antitrust constitutional
/ amendment framed In such way that they
knew in advance 1t could not be passed by
the House. but that il it should, it would be
held up in the Senate. and further that II
by some curious circumstance 1t was enact
ed by that body. 1t would in the eGd be
repudiated by more than one-third Of the
States. In support of his statement that
the Republican platform pledges had been
violated. Mr.. Richardson cited the Currency
bill. which closed the door to international
bimetallism.
Mr. Richardson said that the surrender
of the Republican Congress to the armor
plate trust showed how tightly the party
and the present Administration is in the
greedy grasp of unscrupulous capitalists.
Mr.. Payne, floor leader of the Republi-
cans. said that 1t had been a glorious ses-
sion. in which public affairs had been adj
ministered by men of affairs and in which
the best interests Of the people had been
served.
Trust Power Supreme.
Representative Bell, Populist. said:
This has been an eYentful Congress
for what it has had an opportunity to do
for the country, but has refused to do,
rather than tor what it has done. The
trust power still reigns supreme, the
great continsntar railroads influence con-
tinues to control, the Nicaragua Canal sit
uation. the great transportation compa-
of unearned dollars for transporting the
mails at the rates fixed In 1878. though
general freight rates have fallen So per
cent since that time; the burdensome war
tax is to be- indefinitely flched from the
people and expended in cruelty exter-
minating the Tagalo or intelligent portion
of the people, Of the Philippine Islands.
The most important act passed this
Congress is the financial bill. 1t gives
the national bankers and the bondholders
many millions OF unearned profits in ad-
ditional privileges and enhanced value of
their bonds. This bill gives the banks
complete control of the paper currency of
the country The first time the national
bankers conclude to reduce the volume of
the currency the people will be absolutely
at their mercy under the provisions OF
this BILL.
This Administration has Increased the
national debt more than quarter of a
billion dollars. The last year of CleYe-
lands Administration it cost 1921 per cap
ita to govern the people; in 1899 under
the present Administration, it cost 1921
per capita to govern them This Congress
has been subservient to and has encour-
aged the President in installing the great
est army Of political parasites, in the way
of useless commissions. retired heroes. and
political cormorants as pretended helpers,
that were ever imposed on confiiing anu
patriotic people. The bosses only in this
Congress have been heard. The individual
member has ceased to be an entity The
Speaker refuses to recognize anyone for a
measure until he examines the same and
approves its scope. The bosses declared
that no public building or river and harbor
bills should be considered. The expense
of every department of the Government
has been greatly enhanced with the single
exception of the Pension Bureau. That
seems to be the only department into
which economy has been introduced, as
here there is a small saving. Other bills.
such as the Porto Rico. Alaska, ETC.. d.
rectly reflect the sentiment OF the specu-
lator and load the individual citizens of
these Territories with humiliation and
great hardship. The Free Home bill, Ad-
ditional Homestead bill and some minor
improvements in pension legislation, etc,
may be said to inure to the benefit of the
masses Of the people, but their part of
legislative benefits are as grain of mus
tard seed in bushel of wheat compared
with the spectators part in this Con-
gress."
Mr.. Clnyton's Opinion.
Mr. Clayton of Alabama said:
II think the Fifty-sixth Congress has
passed but little If any legislation that
will prove of benefit to the country. II
has passed financial bill which empowers
to maintain a paper money |
trust. II violated the time -honored notions |
Of the Constitution and the genius, and |
spirit of our Government By the passage |
Of the Porto Rican Tariff act. The Presi- |
dent and his party outraged our plain |
duty. as he termed it, by sanctioning and |
enacting a law taxing part of the terri |
tory of the United States differently from |
The rest. The Republican party is RESPONSE |
BILE for the theft OF the money of the Cuban |
people by Neely and ether trusted lieuten- |
ants Of the Administration We have not |
made Cuba free as We pledged her people, |
but have reserved that island to be robbed |
1y carpetbaggers.
1.-The Republican Administration does |
lot announce any policy in regard to the |
ard the Republican party in
Congress has failed to gay whether 1t
avors their permanent retention and |
whether they should be governed as
as territories in perpetuity or
otherwise.
1.-The war tax should have been repealed.
It least In part. There is a large sur
,lus in the Treasury and all unnecessary
axes should be left in the pockets of the
,eopie.
The Antitrust bill passed by the House
ught to become a law. but Republican
congress will adjourn without its enact
nent." - .N.
Mr.. DeArmond-Mauy long steps have
,een taken toward the reversal OF the
pirit and genius Of cur Government.
Mr.. Maddox-The legislation of the ses-