The L'Anse sentinel. (L'Anse, L.S., Mich.) 18??-current, 1901-03-09
WORK OF CONGRESS.
Brief Resume of the Important Leg
islation Enacted.
The Total Appropriations Amount to
SI,457, 2Go,157 = Gold standard
Fixed by Law - Congress
sionaI Reapportionment.

| Dy Inv
sionaI ReapportiOnment
Washington, Feb. 26.-The record
of the Fifty-sixth congress is now
practically completed, and although
few important measures are still
in the balance it is possible to take
survey of the wide range of legisla-
the two sessions.
Aside from the Porto Rican and
Hawaiian acts this congress has
passed a financial law establishing
permanent gold reserve of about
$150,000,0O0, fixing the ratio between
gold and silver and recognizing the
bonding and the banking systems of
/ the treasury; recognizing the Unit
! ed States army on basis of 100000
men; reapportioning the representa-
ton in congress on the basis of the
twelfth census; giving free homes"
on the Indian lands; providing for
government participation in the Lou
isiana purchase exposition in 1903, as
well as many other measures. But
the congress draws to n close without
final action on the Nicaraguan canal
bill, the shipping subsidy bill, the Pa
cific cable bill and the oleomargarine
bill.
Appropriations.
The appropriations OF the present
congress will reach an unusually
large figure, aggregating for the. two
sessions approximately S1,457,269, 457.
This is about $110,000,000 less than
the aggregate appropriations of the
preceding congress. which, however,
covered the period of the Spanish
war. when the appropriations ran in
single year up to Ss93,231,615. The
totals for the last two sessions, as
summarized by Chairman Cannon, OF
the house committee on appropria-
tons, is as follows: Appropriations,
first session, including the sinking
fund, S710,150.s62; appropriations,
second session, including sinking
fund, $747,11s,595.
Army REORGANIZATION.
The act recognizing the army and
placing the military establishment on
permanent basis probably is the
most important piece of general leg
islation enacted during the present
session. Instead of planning for a
temporary extension of the volunteer
system, Secretary Root devised a
measure for a complete reorganiza-
ton of the army on modern military
lines, with a maximum force of 100,-
900 men and minimum of about 63,-
900. AS finally enacted the army bill
provides a standing army to consist
of Is regiments of cavalry, a corps Of
artillery, 30 regiments of infantry,
one lieutenant general. six major gen.
erals, Is brigadier generals and the
usual staff corps. Inc old regimental
organization of the artillery is dis
continued.
Gold Standard Fixed.
The financial legislation has been
OF unusual Importance and has placed
on the statute books the law estab-
fishing the gold standard, providing
for the redemption and reissue of the
Understanding bonded obligations
Of the United States, establishing a
permanent gold reserve of $150,00O,-
900, regulating national banks and
making numerous provisions respect
ing circulation and the tax on circu-
lation. This measure was drafted by
leaders of both houses prior to the
meeting of congress and became
caucus measure. After it's passage
some question arose as to the main
tenance of the parity of the metals
| nn1ar tho nf ha .
present session bills to rectify this
feature have been reported, specifcal-
ly requiring the exchange of gold
for standard silver dollars. No ac-
ton has been taken on them, how
ever.
Reapportionment.
The act apportioning to the several
states their representation in the
house of representatives followed as
result of the twelfth census. The
census disclosed various increases in
the states, and a new basis of repre-
sentation was prepared based on the
changed condition of the population.
AS finally enacted the total repre-
sentation is fixed at 1856 members, or
20 more than in the present house.
Hazing at West Point received at
tention, with the prospect that
strong restrictive legislation will be
enacted. The senate adopted anti
hazing provisions in the military
academy appropriation bill, but it
will remain for the last days of the
session to determine just what re-
strictions on hazing are to be inn
posed.
Defeat Anti-Trust Bills.
Besides the antitrust bill, passed
by the house and not acted upon by
the senate. resolution proposing
constitutional amendment giving con-
gress more power to deal with trusts
was defeated in the house. Another
measure defeated in the branch where
1T originated was that defining the