The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1901-02-25

Washington, Feb. 24-The record Of
the Fifty-sixth congress is now prac-
tically completed and although few
important measures are still in the
balance, it is possible to take survey
of the wide range Of legislation consid-
cred and enacted.
Il has been an eventfuI congress in
many respects, inheriting as it did
much Of the work of reconstruction and
expense made necessary By the events
of the war with Spain. Chief amvng
these questions has been the attitude
of the government toward. our new
insular possessions While this quts-
ton is still open to some extent, yet
the present congress has passed upon
one of its most important phases by
enacting law for complete form or
government for Porto Rico. The status
of the Philippines has been an un1aIl-
Ing source OF debate in both branches
OF congress, but with little tangible re-
suit. Cuban legislation has Deen Ia
allegiance pending the action of the con-
stitUtiOnal convention of cuba in franz
ing the constitution of the island.
Another important achievement in
insular legislation was that of enactiag
law giving Hawaii complete form
OF territorial government, with an in
sular legislature and judiciary. a gov
gate in the house OF representatives.
"A Porto Rican commissioner also has
been accredited TO Washington.
Aside from these acts this congress
has passed financial law establishing
a permanent gold reserve OF about
$3.50, 900, 600, fixing the ratio between
gold and silver, and recognizing the
bonding and the banking SISTER IF the
treasury, recognizing the United
States army on p basis of 100000 men,
rcrf
congress on the basis of the twelfth
census, giving free homes" on the IL
dian lands, providing for government
participation in the Louisiana purchase
exposition IN 1893, as well as many
other measures of wide general import
ance.
Many Measures in Doubt.
But the congress draws to a close
with some of the most important meas
ures before it still in doubt and quite
likely TO expire without final action.
including the Nicaragua canal BILL l--
shipping subsidy Dill. the Pacific CaD.e
and the OleOmargarlne bill The fate
of some of these measures is very much
in doubt but at this late day in the
session the chances are decidedly
against them.
In the senate the death of Vice Pres
ident Hobart made the duties of pre-
siding officer of the upper house de
VOlVe upon Senator Frye of Maine, the
preSidnt pro tempOre. His ability as
d parliamentarian had been recognized
in his selection as president pro tenn
pore and he has presided over the SEN
ate in a most acceptable manner.
The house has been under an entirely
new administration. With the retire
ment of eN-Speakar Reed the majority
selected a new speaker. This meant
much, for of late years the power in
the hands of the speaker and his in
fUence on legislation have grown
steadily greater.
General David B. Henderson of Iowa,
who became the unanimous choice of
the Republican caucus. has been one
of the recOgI. -zed leaders on the Re
publican side. The great success Of
his administration has been more sur
pTising because of the fact that he had
previously been considered debater
and not a parliamentarian. The speak
ct has presided with frmness and
fairness that have won for him the
admiration and esteem of the members
of both sides. Re has created no ami
mostly and his reelection as speaker
is q fOregOne conclusion.
Mr.. Payne of New York, who be-
came chairman of the ways and means
committee upon the death Of the late
Representative Dingley of Maine sue
ceeded to the floor leadership OF the
majority, and Mr.. Richardson of Ten
nessee became leader Of the minority,
succeeding Mr. Bailey of Texas
Appropriations Are Immense.
The appropriations of the present
congress will reach an unusually large
figure, aggregating for the two ses-
sions approximately 1888, 457. This
IS about $4,000 goo less than the ag
gregate appropriations Of the preced-
ing congress, which, however, covered
the period OF the Spanish war. when
the appropriations ran in a single year
UP to SS93, 231, SIS. The totals for the
last two sessions Of the present con-
gresS. as recently summarized by
Chairman Cannon of the house com
mittee on appropriations, is as follows:
Appropriations. first session.
including sinking fund .ST10, 150, S62
Appropriations, second ses-
sion, including sinking fund.$747, 11S,595
The act recognizing the army and
placing the military establishment on
q permanent basis probably is the most
important piece OF general legislation
enacted. Instead of planning a tenn
porary extension Of the volunteer es-
adjustment made necessary in the
war with Spain, Secretary Root devised
a measure for a complete reOrganiZa-
ton of the army on modern military
lines, with a maximum force of 100000
men and a minimum of about 63, 600.
The house passed the bill before the
holidays, but there was considerable
delay in the senate and il was not I'M
til Feb. , that the measure became eI-
fective as law.
As finally enacted it provides
standing army to consist of fifteen reg
fments Of cavalry. a corps of artillery,
thirty regiments of infantry, one lieu
tenant general, six major generals, If
teen brigadier generals ana the usual
staff corps. The old regimental or
ganizatiOn of the artillery is discOn-
tinued. Authority is given the presi-
dent to enlist natives of the Philippines
when necessary, not to exceed 12,00e
men A provisional regiment Of Porto
Ricans also is provided. A feature Of
the act is the prohibition of the sale
of intoxicating liquors in any post
transport or other military property Of
the United States,
Established Gold Standard.
The financial legislation of the con-
eless has been unusual Importance,
and has placed on the statute books the
law establishing the gold standard, pro-
viding for the redemption and reissue
Of the interest bearing bonded ObHga-
tons Of the United States. establish
ing = pertinent gold reserve of $3.50,
000.0G0. regulating national banks, and
making numerous provisions respecting
circulation and the tax on circulation.