Daily new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1897-1906, 1902-06-30
OF CONGRESS
Amount of Appropriations This
Session Will Run IN
usually High.
DUE, IN PART, TO CANAL BILL.
Among the important Measures
Passed Were Those For lsthmian
Canal. Philippine Civil Government
arc Chinese Exclusion.

Washington, June S0.-The work of
congress Is now practically closed, SO
tia 1t is possible to sum up the rec
ord of what has been accomplished
during the past seven months which
constitute the first session of the
tfty-seventh congress. The session
has been marked by exceptional bust
hess activity, with many questions OF
far-reaching general interest engag-
ing attention. With the exception Of
the Cuban reciprocity bill, most of the
larger subjects Of. general legislation
have been enacted as laws, or will be-
come such before the session closes.
Notable among these larger measures
Is the isthmian canal bill, which con-
summaries the efforts Of half century
to link together the waters of the At
lantic and Pacific. Aside from its
rational and international Importance
this bill probably involves a larger
sum of money than that covering any
ether single undertaking by the gov
eminent outside OF war expenditures
The Philippine civil government bill
Is another measure of far-reaching i'm
portance, extending to our remote Pa
oific possessions a system of Internal
civil government, together with coin
age, currency, banking, corporation,
timber and homestead laws. Among
the other important general laws en-
acted are those repeating the war
revenue taxes; extending and making
more effective the Chinese exclusion
laws; establishing a tariff for goods
to and from the Philippines; extend
ing the charter OF national banks for
20 years; establishing q permanent
census Office; restricting the sale of
oleomargarine by placing high tax
on imitation butter; providing con-
sular and diplomatic service for Cuba;
establishing an extensive system by
which the government will aid in the
irrigation of the arid sections of the
west.
Some Bills Partly Through.
Aside from these important laws
there are number Of measures of
general Importance which passed one
or both houses, but have not pro-
Lressed to the final stage.
Among the other important meas
ules of general legislation not here
t.fore named, which have been finally
enacted as laws, are the following:
To prevent the sale of firearms,
opium and Intoxicating liquors to the
natives OF certain OF the Pacific
islands; to promote the efficiency of
the revenue cutter service and to pro-
vide for the retirement Of its officers;
" refund the duties paid in Porto
Rico on articles imported from the
United States during the military oc-
cupation; appropriating 100000 for
the aid of volcano sufferers at Martin
ique, authorizing the erection of Y.
NJ G. A. buildings on United States
military reservations regulating the
Introduction OF eggs OF game birds for
purposes Of propagation; providing
| for the protection of game in alaska,
particularly the large game, such as
| moose, caribou, etc; extending an in
| yitation to The French government to
| participate in the unwilling in Wash
ington of the statue Of Marshal de
| Rochambeau; refunding the amount
| Of legacy tax paid by charitable, be-
| nevolent and elemosinary institut-
| tons.
Appropriations Unusually High.
The amount of appropriations for
the session will run unusually high,
| owing, in part, to the amount re-
| quired to build the isthmian canal.
When Mr.. Cannon submitted gen.
| eral estimate of appropriations few
weeks ago he made the total up to
| Il at time 1891, 445, 900. Since then
| tie canal bill has passed, carrying a
| present appropriation of $40.000,009
| for the franchise, and enough more
| tor the rights of Colombia and for be,
ginning the work to carry the total
up to s50,0o0.0o0. The entire cost OF
the undertaking Is approximately
| $1s4.000, 900. Mr.. Cannon's estimate
also omitted contracts for future ex
| penditure included the omnibus pub
| lie building, the omnibus claims and
various other bills, aggregating a
| large amount. This will carry the
total for the session; figuring in these
| future amounts, almost, If not quite
] Up to the billion dollar mark. The
appropriation bills have contained lit
tie general legislation, being con
| fired chiefly to the regular needs OF
the various branches of the govern
rent. The naval bill provided for an
! edition of two armored cruisers, two
battleships and two gunboats to tbs
navy. and a provision is still in con
| tIoversy as to whether one of each
class OF these ships shall be built i.
| government yards.