The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-02-25
Financial Legislation Which Perfect-
ed the Bill Making Gold the stand
ard Monetary Basis.
REGULATION OF THE REVENUE
BILL FOR THAT PURPOSE STILL IN
AN UNFINISHED STATE.
Governments for Porto Rico and Ha-
neutrality-suspicious. Of Present
COngress-Conducto of Business.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 4--The record of
the Fifty-sixth Congress is now practically
completed. and although a few important
measures are still in the balance it is pos
sible 10 take a survey Of the wide range
OF legislation considered and enacted within
the two sessions comprising the Congress
now drawing to a close II has been an
eventful Congress in many respects, and al
though lacking the thrill and excitement
incident to the period of the war with
Spain. yet 1t 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 to-
ward our new insular possessions. While
this question is still open to some extent.
yet the present Congress has passed upon
one of its most important phases by en-
acting law for complete form Of gov
ernment for Porto Rico. legislative, execu-
tive and judicial, together with a compre-
hensive plan of raising revenues for the
island. The status of the Philippines has
been an unfailing source OF debate in both
branches of Congress, particularly in the
Senate. Resolutions Of criticism and in
Quiry have been discussed at much length,
but with little tangible result AT the first
session Senator Spooner proposed brief
measure confirming the Presidents author
fty to shape the affairs of the islands until
Congress had passed finally upon questions
relating to their political status. This
proposition In an amended form has now
been grated upon the army appropriation
bill, although it Is yet to be determined
whether the provision will be accepted by
either or both houses. Cuban legislation
has been In allegiance, pending the action
of the constitutional convention OF Cuba
in framing the Constitution Of the island.
Another important achievement in insular
legislation was that or enacting a law Civ
ing Hawaii a complete form OF territorial
government with an insular Legislature
and judiciary, Governor chosen from Ha-
wall and a delegate in the House OF Rep-
resentatives. This law, passed at the first
session. has become so far effective that
the second. session saw the appearance of
the delegate 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.. Degetau, also has
been accredited to Washington under the
law passed at the first session.
In actual work accomplished the Fifty
sixth Congress has an exceptionally large
record. Aside from the Porto Rican and
Hawaiian acts already mentioned this Con-
gress has passed a financial law establish
ing a permanent gold reserve of $50, 900, 900.
fixing the ratio between gold and silver and
reorganizing the bonding and banking sys-
TENS of the treasury; reorganizing the
United States army on a basis of 1OoOoo
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 louisiana purchase exposition in 1903
as well as many other measures of wide
general Importance.
WORK STILL UNDONE
But the Congress draws to a close with
some OF the most important measures be-
fore IL still in doubt and quite likely IN
expire without final action, including the
Nicaraguan canal bill, the shipping SUBJ
sidy bin. 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
In the Senate the death of Vice President
Hobart made the duties OF presiding officer
or the upper house devolve upon Senator
Frye. OF Maine. the president pro tempore
His ability as a parliamentarian had been
recognized In his selection as president pro
tempore and during this Congress he has
presided over the deliberations of the Sen
ate In a most acceptable manner.
The House. during this Congress has
been under an entirely new administration
with the retirement CT Speaker Reed, the
majority selected a new speaker This
meant much. for OF late years the power IN
the hands OF the speaker and his influence
on ieslsiation hsve grown steadily greater.
A spirited contest for the speakership was
proniseo' out before Congress convened the
candidates had Withdrawn one by one IN
favor or Gen David b. Henderson, of Iowa.
and ne became the unanimous choice of Tho
Republican caucus Speaker Henderson
has been one Of the recognized leaders ON
the Republican side and was very nonuIar
before he assumed the gavel. but had dis
tinguisned himself more as a dehater thar
as a psrliamentarian. The great succass =,
his administration therefore has heep ,ha
more surprising and pronounced Altborsh
there have not been as many turb,,Ien,
scenes In the House during this coner.ss -.
I'm some OF it's predecessors. when ,,,r+,,
feeling has run high the speaker has nre.
sided with firmness and fairness ina,
has won for him the admiration and esteem
oi members OF both sides lie has created
no animosities and his reelection as speak
er OF the next House Is foregone con.
eiusion- Ar. Payne. OF New York. who be-
came chairman OF the ways and means
committee, upon the death OF the late Rer-
resentative DiBgle7. OF Maine. succeeded to
the floor leadership Of tie majority. and
-. Richardson. ct Tennessee. became door