Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1901-02-28
WORK OF CONGRESS.
The Record Of the Fifty-Sixth Con-
gress Almost Completed.
some OF The MEASURES PASSED.



approximately s1,457..89,A81.
Washington, Feb. 25.-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 sur.
vey of the wide range of legisla.
ton considered and enacted within
the two sessions comprising the con-
gress now drawing to close. 1t has
been an eventful congress in many re.
spects, and, although lacking the thrill
and excitement incident to the period
of the war with Spain, yet it inherited
much of the work of reconstruction
and expense made necessary by the
events of that war. Chief among these
questions growing out of the war has
been the attitude of the government
toward our new insular possessions.
While this question is still open to
some extent, yet the present congress
has passed upon one of its most i'm
portant phases by enacting law for
a complete form of government for
Porto Rico. The status of the Philip
pines has been an unfailing source of
debate in both branches of congress,
particularly in the senate. Resolu-
tons of criticism and inquiry have
been discussed at much length, but
with little tangible result. At the
first session Senator Spooner proposed
brief measure confirming the presi
dents authority to shape the affairs
OF the island until congress had passed
finally upon questions relating to
their political status. This PROPOSE
ton in an amended form has now
been grated upon the army appro-
priation bill, although it is yet to be
determined whether the provision will
be accepted by either or both houses.
Cuban legislation has been in abey-
ance pending the action of the constr
tutional convention of Cuba in franz
ing the constitution of the island.
Another important achievement in
insular Legislation was that of enact
ing IA law giving Hawaii a complete
form of territorial government.
In actual work accomplished the
Fifty-siyth congress has an exception
ally large record. Aside from the
Porto Rican and Hawaiian acts al
ready mentioned this congress has
passed Il financial law and being
permanent gold reserve of about $780,
100000. fixing the ratio between gold
and silver and recognizing the bond
ing and the banking systems of the
treasury, recognizing the United
States army on basis of 100000 men,
reapportioning the representation in
congress on the basis of the twelfth
census, giving "fite homes on the
Indian lands, providing for govern
ment participation in the Louisiana
purchase exposition in 1908, as well as
many other measures of wide general
importance. But the congress draws
to a close with some of the most i'm
portant measures before it still in
doubt and quite likely to expire with
out final action, including the Nicara.
qua canal bill, the shipping subsidy
bill, the Pacific cable bill and the oleo-
margarine 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.
The appropriations of the present
congress will reach an unusually large
figure, aggregating for the two ses-
sions approximately Sl,451,9 6o, 4j7
The revenue legislation of the con-
gress has been confined to an effort
to reduce the taxation imposed when
the war with Spain began. This rev.
enue reduction measure is still in con-
troversy between the two houses, the
conference committee not having
reached an agreement.
Much of the time of the senate has
been occupied on the important
treaties considered behind closed
doors. These included the Hay
Pauncefote treaty neutralizing the
Nicaragua canal; treaties with Great
Britain and Germany dissolving the
tri-partite agreement on Samoa and
dividing the islands; commercial rec-
tri-partite agreement on Samoa and
many, Argentine Republic, Nicaragua
and with Great Britain respecting the
various British colonies of the West
indies.
A treaty considered and ratified by
the senate is that purchasing of Spain
for 100000 several small islands north
Of the Philippine group which were
omitted from the acquisition of the
treaty of Paris.
AN INSANE MOTHERS DEED.