The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1902-07-03
END OF THE1SESSION.
Congress Going Home-Many Knotty
Questions Disposed Of by the Drop
ping-out" Process-44N0 New States.
No Memorial Bridge No Currency
fof the Philippines-Pension Matters.

desperate effort to finish business and adj
journ within a day or two. During the
past week there has been an effort all
along the line to either dispose of legisla-
ticn or to definitely put it aside for this
session. The main bone of contention, the
Cuban Reciprocity measure, was finally
given up. 1t was apparent to every one
that with at least IS Republican Senators
steadfastly opposing the measure, nothing
could he done at this time. and the matter
goes over in the same indefinite shape it
assumed some weeks ago. The sugar-beet
interest. Therefore. won out in the fight, for
this year ut least.
Senator Quay's stand in favor of con-
sidering bills for the admission of the new
States Of Oklahoma, New Mexico and
Arizona resulted in an agreement to take
the b;;i up on the 10th day of next De-
cemier so that matter, also, went over.
The appropriation for the Grant Memorial
Bridge, between Washington and Airing
ton, was defeated in conference. although
an effort will be made, nevertheless, to
have a cornerstone laid during the q. n.
X. Encampment next October.
The conference between the two Houses
finally agreed to accept the Panama Canal
Bill. as passed by the Senate. and the re
port was adopted by both Houses. The
measure now becomes a law, AMI author
ICES the President TO purchase the Pan
anna Canal route for S40.OU0,0Oo. proyld-
ing clear title can be secured, and begin
the work of constructing canal ut that
point This seems 10 close this long and
tiresume controversy, which has been con
Stantly before Congress for % years, and
the impression prevails that the Panama
title will be found satisfactory, and the
canal will he located there. There IS con-
siderable gossip about the operation Of the
Panama lobby with its Sio,Ooo,G0 ut stake.
but definite corruption has been charged
and the effort on the part of Senator Nor
gan to investigate rumors was squeichcd
i'll the Senate.
The following bin was finally passed by
Congress on June II, and approved by the
President:
BE it enacted, etc, That the provi
sions, limitations and benefits of the Act
entitled An Act granting pensions TO sur
vivors of the Indian wars OF 49, to lSi2,
inclusive. known as the Black Hawk war,
Creek war, Cherokee disturbances, and the
Seminole war; approved July y. 1SJ2.
be. and the same are hereby, extended,
from the date of the passage of this Act,
to the surviving officers and enlisted men,
including marines, militia aud volunteers
of the military and naval service of the
United States who served for 80 days or
more and were hOnOrably discharged under
the United States military. State. Terri
torial or provisional authorities in the
Florida and Georgia Seminole Indian war
of 1917 and 1918: the Fevre River Indian
war of Illinois of 1927 the Sac and Fox
Indian war of 1881; the Sabine Indian
disturbances of 1896 and 1897; the Cayuse
n-,I an no
ciic coast: the Florida wars with the Sem
mole Indians from 1920 1888, inclusive:
the Texas and New Mexico Indian war of
1919 to 1856: the California Indian disturb
ances of 1851 and 1852; the Utah Indian
disturbances of 1850 20 1855, inclusive,
and the Oregon and Washington Territory
Indian wars from 1851 to 1886. inclusive;
and also to include the surviving widows
of such officers and enlisted men: Pro
vided, That such widows hare not remar-
ried and provided further, That where
there is no record of enlistment or muster
into service i'll any Of the wars mentioned
in this Act, the record of pay by the
United States shall be accepted as full
and satisfactory proof of such enlistment
and service: and provided further, That
all contracts heretofore made between the
bennficiaries under this Act and pension
attorneys and claim agents are hereby de-
clared null and void
The House of Representatives was in
session last Sunday to pronounce eulogles
upon the late Representatives Cummings,
of New York. and Otcy. of Virginia. This
is the first time since 1911 when Sunday
was made n Legislative day. At the OK
piration of practically every Congress the
House is in session on Sunday and busi-
ness is transacted, but it is considered
part of Saturday, a recess on Saturday
being taken until Sunday morning instead
of adjourning, the difference being merely
technical.
The bill which was passed by the House
and Senate to increase the pension or
those who have lost hand or foot. and
those who need the help of an attendant,
ard to improve the status of remarked
widows, which went to the House and
was passed with an amendment, has been
pigeon holcd in Senator Gallngers com
mittec room. 1t will come to light per-
hapS next December.
Congress, on Monday. after bitter
fight, passed the appropriation of Sooo.Ooo
to pay the loss on the Buffalo Exposition.
1t came to the House on a conference
report, where Col. Alexander carried it
through in spite of the angry protests of
Uncle Joe Cannon, who is apt to lose his
temper when the House now and then
breaks away from him. As n rule he
manages TO prevent any appropriation that
he does not personally approve. as he did
in the case of the Grant Memorial Bridge
last week
The principal obstruction TO early ad
jOurnment since the dropping of the Gu
ban Reciprocity matter has been the cur
rcncy clause in the Philippine Civil Gov
eminent Bill. The Senate. where the bill
originated. provided for the coinage of a
special silver dollar as the basis of the
Philippine currency. The House, on the
contrary. had provided the gold standard
for the Philippines, the same as the rest
of the United States. 1t soon became
evident that bitter controversy would
| result in the settlement of this question.
Late Monday evening the conferees cut
| the gordian knot by throwing out the
| coinage question altogether, and thus Con
Sress ran away from the proposition, and
| put it off It'll n more convenient season."
| The bill provides, among other things, for
| the purchase of the lands of the friars,
| which shall become part Of the public
domain. to be disposed OF under the Home
stead Act. An issue Of bonds is author
lied to pay for the lands A Legislature
is provided for the Philippines, to consist
| of two Houses. The Upper House will be
the Philippine Commission. and the Lower
| House, Il popular assenblage.. but Moros,
| Mahometans and Pagans are barred from
| the Legislature and excluded from the bal
| lot. This Legislature is to be organized
after the tranquility shall have been main
tanned in the islands for d period of at
| least two years.
In the Senate on Monday Mr. Calm
| ger, of New Hampshire, Chairman of the