Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1901-03-06

Aside from the Porto Rican and Ha-
waiian acts the Fifty-sixth Congress has
passed financial law establishing per-
manent gold reserve OF about $l30,OOO,-
900. fixing the ratio between gold and
silver and recognizing the bonding and
the banking systems of the treasury; re-
organizing the United States army on
basis Of 1F eco men reapportioning the
representation in Congress on the basis
of the t.5elfth census. giving free
homes C. the InGian lands: providing
for government participation i'll the
Louisiana purchase exposition in 1903, rs
well as many other measures. But the
Congress closed without final action on
the Nicaraguan canal bill, the shipping
subsidy bill, the Pacific cable bill and
the oleomafgarine bill
The appropriations reach an unusually
large figure, aggregating for the two ses-
sions approximately 81 .45T. 2G9, 43T. This
is abor $l10.o00.000 less than the aggre-
gate appropriations of the preceding Con
gress, which, however, covered the period
of the Spanish war. when the appropria'
tons ran in single year up TO SSo3,2 3D.
6l5. The totals Tor the last two sessions,
as summar zed by Chairman Cannon OF
the House committee on appropriations,
is as follows: Appropriations, first SEES.
sion, including sinking fund, SIl0,l oo,-
SG2i appropriations, second session, in
Guiding sinking fund. STAT. 1889.
TAee act recognizing the army and
placing the military establishment on
permanent basis probably is the most inn
portaiif kpiece of general legislation en-
acted during the session Instead OF
planning for temporary extension OF
the volunteer system, Secretary Root de-
yised a measure for complete reorgan-
ization OF the army on modern military
lines, with maximum force of 100000
men and minimum of about 63,000 As
finally enacted the army bill provides
standing army to consist of fifteen regi-
ments of cavalry, corps of artillery,
thirty re. 'iments OF infantry, one lieuten-
ant general, six major generals, fifteen
brigadier generals and the usual staff
corps. The old regimentaI organization
of the artillery is discontinued. Author
ity is given the President to enlist ma
tites of the Philippines, when necessity
requires, not to exceed 1000 men.
provisional regiment OF Porto Ricans also
Is provided. A feature of the act is the
prohibition OF the sale of beer, wine or
any intoxicating liquors in any post, ex-
change, canteen or transport.
The financial legislation has been of
unusual Importance, and has placed on
the statute books the law establishing
the gold standard, providing for the re-
demption and reissue of the interest
bearing bonded obligations Of the United
States, establishing permanent gold re-
serve of $150,000,0 900, regulating national
banks and making numerous provisions
respe ting circulation and the tax on cir
culation. This measure was drafted by
leaders of both houses prior to the meet.
ing of Congress and became a caucus
measure. After its passage some ques-l
ton arose as to the maintenance of the
parity of the metals under the terms of
the bill. Bills To rectify this feature have
been reported. specifically requiring the
exchange of gold for standard silver dol
lars. No action has been taken on them,
however.
The revenue legislation of the Congress
has been confined to an effort to reduce
the taxation imposed when the war with
Spain began.
The act appropriating to the several
States their representation in the Ilouse
of Representatives followed as result
of the twelfth census. The census dis
closed various increases in the States,
and new basis Of representation was
prepared based on the changed condition
of the population. As finally enacted tie
total representation is fixed at $50 mem
bers, or twenty-nine more than in the
present House.
Hazing at West Point received atten-
ton, with the prospect that strong re-
strictive legislation will be enacted The
Senate adopted anti-hazinG provisions in
the military academy appropriation bill,
but it remained for the last days of the
session to determine just what restric-
tons Oh haZng are to be imposed
Besides the antitrust bill, passed by
the House and not acted upon by the
Senate Il resolution proposing a constitu
tional amendment giving Congress more
power TO deal with trusts was defeated
in the House. Another measure defeated
in the branch where it originated was
that defining the power of injunction AID
limiting the authority of the federal
courts 10 issue this process.