The Black Hills union. [volume] (Rapid City, Pennington County, Dakota [S.D.]) 1889-1904, 1901-03-01
Wide Range Of Legislation Consid-
cred ard Enacted in SEES
sions of the 56th
IMPORTANT MEASURES ARE PASSED
Porto Rican and Hawaiian Acts, Finan.
cial Law, iseapportionment and Army
Reorganization Measures Some
OF tho Achievements.

washington, FEB. 26.-The record of
the Fifty-sixth congress is now prac-
tically completed, and although a few
important measures are still in the ball
ance, 1t is possible to take survey of
the wide range of legislation considered
and enacted within the two sessions
comprising the congress now drawing
to close. 1t has been an eventful con-
gress in many respects, and although
lacking the thrill and excitement Incl
lent to the period of the war with Spain
vet 1t inherited much of the work of
reconstruction and expense made NEG
essary 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 in
sular possessions. While the question is
still open to some extent, yet the pres
ent congress has passed upon one of
its most Important phases by enacting
law for complete form of govern
tive and judicial-together with a COM
prehensive plan of raising revenues fol
the island.
philippines Much Debated,
The status of the Philippines has
been an. unfailing source of debate in
both branches of congress, particular
" in the senate. Resolutions of crit
icism and inquiry have been discussed
at much length, but with little tangi-
BILE result. At the first session SEN
ator Spooner proposed brief meas
ity to shape the affairs Of the islands
until congress had passed finally upon
questions relating to their political
status. This proposition in an amend
ed form has now been grated upon
the army appropriation bill, although
1t is yet to be determined whether the
provision will be accepted by either Or
beth houses.
Cuban legislation has. been in abey-
ance pending the action of the consti-
tional convention in Cuba in framing
the constitution of the island.
Another important achievement in
insular legislation was that of enacting
a law giving Hawaii a complete form
of territorial government, with an in
sular legislature and judiciary, gov
ernor. chosen from Hawaii, and dele
gate in the house of representatives.
This law, passed at the first session,
has become SO far effective that the
second session saw the appearance of
the delegate fom Hawaii, Mr.. Wilcox,
who is the first official representative
on the floor of congress from ono of
the island possessions of the United
States. A Porto Rican commissioner,
Mr.. Degetau, has also been accredited
to Washington under the law passed at
the first session.
Actual Accomplishments.
In the actual work accomplished, the
Fifty-sixth congress has an exception
ally large record. Aside from the Por-
to Rican and Hawaiian acts already
mentioned, this congress has passed q
NC io1 low 70 hill St, q
gold reserve of about $150,000, 900, fixing
the ratio between gold and silver, and
recognizing the bonding and the bank
ing systems of the treasury, reorganiz-
ing 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 Indian lands; providing for
government participation in the Louisi-i
ana purchase exposition in 1898, as well as
many other measures of wide general i'm
.portauce, 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
bill and the oleomargarine BILL The fate
OF some OF these measures is very much
In doubt but at this late day in the SEES
sion the chances are decidedly against
them.
Large Appropriations.
The appropriations of the present con
.gress will reach an unusually large fig.
ure, aEgregating for the two sessions APP
proximately $l,457. as, 457. This lis abouI
S110. 100000 less than the aggregate appro
priations Of the preceding congress-
which, however. covered the period Of the
Spanish war, when the appropriations
ran In a single year up to $ss3, 231 .615. The
totals for .ithe last two sessions of the
present congress- as recently summarized.
by Chairman Cannon OF the house COM
mittee On appropriations are as follows.
Appropriations first session. includin:
sinking fund, $40, l50, 1862; appropriations
second session. including sinking fund,
s74.l1S50 &
Nsw Presiding Omcsrs.
In the senate the death Of Vice Presi-,
dent Hobart made the duties Of presiding
Offices OF the upper house devolve upon
Senator Frye Of Maine the president pro
tempore. His ability as q parliamentar.
Ian has been recognized In his selection
~ president pro tenn. and during this
congress no has presided over the delib-
erations OF the senate In . most accepts
bic manner. ss ss; y 8ss44i5ss 81
been under an entirely new admintstra-
ton. With the retirement OF ex-Speakel
Reed. the mapority selected new speak
er. This meant much, for OF late years
the power In the hands Of the speaker
and his influence on legislation have
srowe steadily greater. A spirited con-
est for the speAkership was promised.
but before congress c0nyened tho candi-
dates had Withdrawn one by enc In favor
of General David b. Henderson Of Iowa,
and he became the unanimous choice OF
the republican caucus. qnaa kerr5r Han