The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
IN THE MATTER OF SPENDING
MONEY LITTLE EVIDENCE OF
ECONOMY SHOWN
MEASURES THAT HAVE PASSED
Nicaragua Canal Bill, the Ship Sub
sidy Bill, the Pacific Cable Bill
and OIeOmargarine Bill
in the Air.
S71O,15O,862
747,118,595
S1,457,269,457


WASHINGTON, Feb. M.-The record
OF the fifty-siXth congress is now prac-
tically completed, and although a few in
pOrtant measures are still III the balance
it is possible to take a survey of the
wide range of legislation considered and
enacted within the two sessions COM
prising the congress now drawing to Il
close
While the question of the attitude of
the government toward our new insular
possessions is still open to some extent,
yet the present congress has passed upon
one of its important phases by enacting
a law for a complete form of govern
ment for Porto Rico. The status of the
Philippines has been an unfailing source
of debate in both branches of congress,
particularly in the senate.
Cuban legislation has been in allegiance
pending the action of the constitutional
convention of Cuba in framing the con-
stitution OF the island. Another achieve
ment in insular legislation was that of
enacting a law giving Hawaii a COM
plete form of territorial government, with
an insular legislature and judiciary,
governor, chosen from Hawaii, and
delegate in the house of representatives
A Porto Rican commissioner Mr. De
Getau, has also been accredited to Wash
ington under the law passed at the first
session,
ACTUAL WORK.
In actual work accomplished. aside from
the Porto Rican and Hawaiian acts. al
Ready mentioned, this congress has pass
a financial law, establishing permanent
gold reserve OF about $150G00,000, fixing
the rate between gold and silver, and re-
organizing the bonding and the banking
system of the treasury; reorganizing the
United States army on a basis of 100000
men; reapportioning the representation in
congress on the basis of the twelfth
census; giving free homes on the In
dian lands; providing for government
participation in the Louisiana purchase
exposition in 1903, as well as other meas
ures.
But the congress draws to a close with
Some of the most important measures
before it still in doubt and quite likely
to expire without final action, including
the Nicaragua canal bill, the shipping
subsidy bill, the Pacific cable bin and the
Oleomargarine bill.
CHANGES IN OFFICE.
In the senate the death of Vice Presi-
dent Hobart made the duties of presid-
ing officer Of the upper house devolve
upon Senator Frye, of Maine, the presi-
dent pro tempore.
The house, during this congress, has
been under an entirely new administra-
tion, David B. Henderson succeeding
eX-Speaker Reed. Both of these officers
have given satisfaction to their party.
Mr.. Payne, of New York, who became
chairman OF the ways and means COM
mittee, upon the death of the late Rep
resentative Dinglcy, OF Maine, succeeded
TO the floor leadership ef the majority.
and Mr.. Richardson of Tennessee. be-
came floor leader of the minority. sue
Ceeding Mr.. Bailey, of Texas, who re-
tired from the leadership of his side Of
TIE house at the close of the last con-
eress
HAS SPENT MILLIONS.
The appropriations of the present con-
gFess will reach an unusually large fig
ure, aggregating for the two sessions
approximately $1,457, ,269, ,457
This is about $110OO0,OOO less than the
aggregate appropriations of the preced-
ing congress, which, however, covered
the period of the Spanish war when the
appropriations ran in a single year up
+" $685., ,2S1, 6l5. The totals for the last two
sessions of the present congress. as re-
Gently summarized by Chairman Can
non, of the house committee on appropri-
atoms, is as follows:
appropriations, first session including
sinking fund $710, $50, ,S62
Appropriations, second session includ-
irG sinking fund, $747, 1855
REORGANIZING THE ARMY.
The act reOrganizmg the army and
placing the military establishment on a
permanent basis probably is the most
important piece of general legislation en-
acted during the present session. and ono
of the most important measures placed
on the statute books in recent years
Following the war with Spain, a tenn
porary military establishment was pro-
Vided. partly Of volunteers, and partly OF
regulars, this system being limited in
operation until July l next. The termi-
nation of this system this coming sum-
mer, made it IMPERATIVE to supply a mill
tary organization TO talk" its place. In
stead ot planning for Il temporary eX-
tension Of tic voiuntcer system. ,Secre-
tary 3c6t devised rCasure for a COM
plete reorganization of the army on
modern military lines, with maximum
fcrce of 100000 men, and a minimum OF
about $1,000. The house passed the bill
before the holidays. but there was con-
siderable delay in the senate, and it was
not until Feb 2, that the measure became
effective as law. AS finally enacted. it
provides a standing army to consist Of
fifteen regiments of cavalry, a corps of
artillery, thirty regiments of infantry
one lieutenant general, six major gen,
OAs'ASi AllbCSli DIISdNilGI SSHeIdlS, ana ire
usual staff corps.
he old regimental organization of TIE
artillery Is discontinued Authority is
given the president to enlist natives Of
the Philippines, when necessity requires
not to exceed 1900 men. A provisional
regiment of Porto Ricans also is pro-
ViGed.
FINANCIAL LEGISLATION.
The financial legislation of the con-
gress has placed on the statute books,
the law establishing the gold standard,
providing for the redemption and re-
Issue of the interest-bearing bonded obli-
cations Of the United States, establish
ing a permanent gold reserve of $50, Geo.
OCO, regulating national banks, and max.
ing numerous provisions respecting cir
culation and the tax on circulation
This measure was drafted by leaders of
both houses prior to the meeting of con-
gress and became caucus measure.