The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1901-02-25
IMPORTANT BILLS HUNG UP
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

As 685 :5:st88:.. sec. 747,n8.595
Total appropris-
s 3t8as ss:s: emf. S1,457,269,457
WASHINGTON. Feb 24-The record
Of the ffty-siXth congress is now prac-
tically completed. and although few iru-
porant measures are still III the balance,
ii is possible to take q 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 enactins
q law for q 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 insJlar legislation was that of
enacting law giving Hawaii a COM
plete form of territorial government with
an insular legislature and judiciary, a
governor, chosen from Hawaii, and a
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
che Porto Rican and Hawaiian acts. al
Ready mentioned, this congress has pass
financial law, establishing a permanent
gold reserve OF about $150,000 000, 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
OreS.
But the congress draws to a close with
Some of the most important measures
before 1t 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
OIeomargarine bill
CHANGES IN OFFICE.
In the senate the death OF Vice goresi-
dent Hobart made the duties of presid-
ing officer Of the upper house devolve
upon Senator Frye, of Maine, the presi-
dent pro tempoTe.
The house, during this congress- has
been under an entirely new administra-
ton, David B. Henderson succeeding
eX-Speaker Reed. Both of these officers
have given satisfaction to their party.
MIR. Payne, of New York who became
chairman OF the ways and means COM
mittee upon the death of the late Rep
reSentatiVe DiDgley, of Maine, succeeded
TO the floor leadership of the majority,
and Mr.. Richardson, of Tennessee, be
came floor leader of the minority, sue
Ceedng 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-
gHeSS Will reach an unusually large fig
lre, aggregating for the two sessions.
approximately 81, 457, 269. 457
This is about $110,00OOO0 less than the
aggregate appropriations of the precel-
ing congress-, which. however. covered
the period Of the Spanish war. when the
appropriations ran in a single year up
L" $3.50, 25l Gl5. The totals for the last two
sessions of the present congress as re-
Gently summarized by Chairman Can
non, of the house committee on appropr1-
atoms, is as follows:
appropriations first session incIudiue {,
sinking fund, $40, 150,S62.
Appropriations second session includ-
ipG sinking fund, $747, lis, 595.
REORGANIZING THE ARMY.
The act reorganizmg the army and
placing the military establishment on Il
permanent basis probably is the most
important piece Of general legislation en-
acted during the present session. and one
of the most important measures placed
on the statute books in recent years.
Following the war with Spain. a tenn
pordry military establishment was pro-
Vided. parity 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 o1 planning for Il temporary eX-
tension OF tic volunteer system, ,Secre-
tary RcHt devised a 10 assure for a cont
plete reorganization of the army. on
modern military lines, with a maximum
fierce of 100000 men, and a minimum OF
about g., 600. 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
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,
erals, fifteen brisadier generals and tie
usual staff corps
he old regimental organization of the
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 Understanding bonded obi
cations Of the United States, establish
ing i permanent gold reserve of $15O,GOG,-
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