Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1901-02-25

HOUSES DuTlnE the OI7Iu w eek.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 24.-The record
of the Fifty-sixth Congress is now
practically completed, and although a
few important measures are still in
the balance, it is possible to take a
survey of the wide range of legislation
considered and enacted with the two
sessions comprising the Congress now
drawing to a close.
many respects, and although lacking
the thrill and excitement incident to
the period of the war with Spain, yet
it inherited much of the work of re-
construction and expense made neces-
sary 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 this ques-
ton is still open to some extent, yet
the present Congress has passed upon
n of it's most important phases by
enacting a law for a complete form of
government for Porto Rico, legislative,
executive and judicial, together with a
comprehensive plan of raising revenues
for the island. The status of the Phil
ippines has been an unfailing source
of debate in both branches of Con-
grss, particularly in the Senate. Reso-
lutions of criticisms and inquiry have
with little tangible result. At the
first session Senator Spooner proposed
a brief measure, confirming the Pres
ident's authority to shape the affairs
of the island until Congress had passed
finally upon some questions relating
to their political status. This propo-
sition in an amended form has now
been grated upon the army appropri-
alton bill, although it is yet to be de-
termined whether the provision will
be accepted by either or both Houses.
Cuban legislation has been in allegiance
pending the action of the constitution
al convention of Cuba in framing the
constitution of the island. Another
important achievement in insular leg
islation was that of enacting a law
giving Hawaii a complete form of ter
1%ifnr1nl 0rnNnTnr M ont with IN incIIlnr
legislature and judiciary, a governor,
chosen from Hawaii and a delegate in
the House of Representatives. This
law, passed at the first session, has be-
come so far effective that the second
session saw the appearance of the dele
gate from Hawaii. Mr.. Wilcox, who is
the first official representative on the
floor of Congress from one of the
island possessions of the United States.
A Porto Rican commissioner, Mr.. Deg
etau, also has been accredited to
Washington under the law passed at
the first session. In actual WORK &C
complished, the Fifty-sixth- Congress
has an exceptionally large record.
In addition to the Porto Rican and
Hawaiian acts already mentioned this
Congress has passed a financial law
establishing a permanent gold reserve
of about $3.50, O0O, 600, fixing the ratio
between gold and silver and reorganiz-
ing the United States army on a basis
of 100, 900 men, reapportioning the rep
reservation in Congress on the basis of
the twelfth census, giving free homes"
or the Indian lands; providing for gov
eminent participation IN the Louisiana
purchase exposition in 1903, as well as
many other measures of wide and gen.
eral Importance. But the Congress
draws to a close with some of the most
important measures before it still in
doubt and quite likely to expire with
out final action, including the Nicar-
aguan canal bill, the shipping subsidy
bill, the Pacific coast bill and the oleo
bill. The fate of some of these meas
ures is very much in doubt. but at this
late day in the sessions the chances are
decidedly against them.
In the Senate the death of Vice
President Hobart made the duties of
presiding officer of the upper house
devolve upon Senator Frye, of Maine,
the president pro tempore. His abil-
ity as a parliamentarian had been rec
ognized in his selection as president
pro tempore and during this Congress
he has presided over the deliberations
of the Senate in a most acceptable
manner The House during this Con-
gress has been under an entirely new
administration. With the retirement of
ex-Speaker Reed, the majority selected
a ley Speaker. This meant much for
of late years, the power in the hands
of the Speaker and his influence on
legislation have grown steadily great
er. A spirited contest for the Speak
ership was promised, but before Con-
gress convened the candidates had
withdrawn n by one in favor of Gen.
David B. Henderson, of Iowa, and he
became the unanimous choice az fbe