Omaha daily bee., 1902-06-30
RECORD MADE BY CONGRESS-
:" ,""'sn Canal Bill Most Important Of
~ General Legislation.
~ 'sURE COMES NEXT
Irrigation Act of Prime Importance
TO the Western sectiOn-Cuban
Reciprocity Bill stir
Pending.


It is possible to sum up the record OF what
has been accomplished during the last seven
months, which constitute the first session
Of the Fifty-seventh congress.
The session has been marked by excep-
tional business activity with many ques-
tions OF far-reaching interest. With the
exception OF the Cuban reciprocity bill
most Of the larger subjects Of general leg
islation have been enacted as laws or will
become such before the session closes.
Notable among these larger measures Is
the isthmian canal bill, which consum-
mates the efforts of half a century to link
together the waters Of the Atlantic and
the Pacific. Aside from it's national and
international Importance this bill probably
involves a larger sum of money than that
covering any other single undertaking by
the government outside OF war expendi-
lures.
The Philippine civil government bill is
another measure OF far-reaching impor-
tance, extending to our remote Pacific pos
sessions system Of internal government,
together with coinage. currency, banking,
corporation, timber and homestead laws.
Important General Laws.
Among the other important general laws
enacted are those repeating the war rev.
| ltuut ldhcSs tAltuuluB anu uOT6
effective the Chinese exclusion laws, estab-
fishing tariff for goods to and from the
Philippines, extending the charter of ma
tional banks for twenty years, establishing
a permanent census Office, restricting the
sale Of oleomargarine by placing a high
tax on imitation butter, providing a con-
sular and diplomatic service for Cuba,
tablishing an extensive system by which
the government will aid in the irrigation
OF the arid sections OF the west
| The repeal Of the war revenue taxes re-
duced taxation $73, ,25O, 900 and is said to
be the largest single reduction OF taxa
tion ever made in this country. BY this
step the last Of the taxes imposed at the
beginning Of our war with Spain was wiped
ou:.
The Philippine tariff act imposes rs per
cent Of the Dingley tariff rates on ma
terials coming from the Philippines to the
United States and also imposes on articles
entering the Philippines from the United
States the rates OF duties established by
the Philippine commission.
The oleomargarine act results from sew
eral years OF agitation. II places a rate Of
10 cents pound on substances colored to
initiate butter.
OF Import to the West
Tne irrigation act Is OF special impor-
tanee to the development of the west 1t
creates an irrigation fund in the Treasury
department. into which is to be paid the
proceeds Of the sales OF public lands in
the arid states. This fund in turn is to be
used in storing water and establishing an
Irrigation system, the irrigation sections to
be open to homesteaders, who are 10 be
charged a proportionate share OF the cost
OF the Improvement
The Chinese exclusion law continues ex-
Iclusion until otherwise provided by law
and also applies the exclusion to the "island
territory under the Jurisdiction of the
United States"
Aside from these important laws there
are a number of other measures of gen
eral Importance which have passed one OF
both houses, but have not progressed tc
the final stage. These include the anti
anarchist legislation. which grew out OF
the assassination of President Mckinley
Bill restricting anarchy and throwing safe
guards about the president have passed
both branches Of congress, but It has
been impossible to reach an agreement
in conference, so that the subject goes
over until next December.
Statehood Bill Awaits Senate
A bill giving statehood to Arizona, New
Mexico and Oklahoma, known as the ON.
nibus statehood bill, passed the house
and the senate has determined to take VI
the matter early in the next session.
The ship subsidy bill secured early at,
tention in the senate, but the end of thu
session has come without the measure
being reported to the house. AS II passed
the senate, the bill grants graded sub.
sidies to steam and sailing vessels o.
American tuild. In the house 1t has beer
deemed desirable TO let the subject gC
over until the short session, when 1t 1.
expected that a bill on the subject will
be reported and urged to passage.
The bill creating the Appalachian fores
reserve, including a vast tract in the AID.
palachian mountain section OF the south
has received favorable attention in botl
houses, but has gone over for final adjust
ment Of differences until next December
Another bill passed by the senate ant
likely to become a law changes the marin,
hospital service to a national health bu
reau and gives the bureau larger power
and facilities for cooperating with tn,
state health authorities In quarantine anC
health AFFAIRS.
Pacific Cable Bill Retired.
The bill TO establish a cable betweer
l the United States, Hawaii and the Phil
ippipes was retired by defeat in the hous
= Of representatives.
Several other measures have advances
q to a certain stage and have then halte,
a without much prospect for further ad
| vancement.
< These include the bill for the election
e OF United States senators by direct vot
o OF the people. 1t passed the house b
S practically a unanimous vote, but In tn
y senate has received little attention and
not likely to pass.
T The house passed a bill relating to tn
e immigration laws, codifying and amendin
e these laws relating to important changes
e II has been reported to the senate, bu
n there is not much prospect OF its passag
9 at this session.
The bill defining the meaning OF con
n spiracy in Injunction cases passed th
y house OF representatives. but has not mad
q much progress in the senate. On tn
other hand the senate passed an mpor
tant measure, creating a Department
Commerce, 10 be presided over by a cab
met ofneer. but II has made no progres
in the house. not having been reporte
n from the committee on commerce.
Pure Food Measure Retarded.