The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1902-07-03

people passed the house b! practically
an unanimous vote. but in the senate
II has received little attention and Ia
likely TO remain there.
The bill defining the meaning OF
conspiracy In injunction cases passed
the house OF representatives. but has
nct made much progress in the senate.
On the other hand the senate passed
al important measure creating de-
partment Of commerce. to be presided
over by cabinet officer, but ii has
made no progress in the house. not
having been reported from the com
mittee on commerce. Another bill Of
interest to the commercial world is
the pure food measure. which was
drafted by the pure food congress. and /
after extended hearings was reported
from the house committee on com !
merce but not passed.
The Fowler bill probably was the
most important financial measure
which has been brought before the
congress. After much discussion and
several conferences it has gone over
for consideration until next December. |
Another financial measure. known as
the Hull bill. providing for the coin !
age Of subsidiary silver and for the re-
tirement OF the present standard dol
lar. has passed the house, but has not
been acted on in the senate.
Other important Laws.
Among the other important meas.
ures OF general legislation not hereto
fore named. watch have finally been
enacted as laws, are the following:
To prevent the sale Of firearms,
opium and intoxicating liquors to the
natives OF certain OF the Pacific isl
ands: to promote the efficiency Of the
revenue cutter service and to provide
for the retirement Of its officers; to re-
fund the duties paid in Porto Rico on
articles imported from the United
States during the military occupation:
appropriating 100000 for the relief
of the volcano sufferers at Martinique:
authorizing the erection Of Y. NJ. c. A.
buildings on United States military
reservations. regulating the introdue-
ton Of English birds for the purpose
Of propagation; providing for the pro-
lection Of game In Alaska, such as car
iboo. moose. etc: refunding the
amount Of legacy tax paid by char
table. benevolent and elemosynary
institutions.
Amounts Of Appropriations.
The amount Of appropriations Of the
session will run unusually high. owing
In part to the amount required to build
the isthmian canal. When Mr.. Cannon
submitted q general estimate OF appro-
total up to that time 1891. 445. 900.
Since then the canal bill has passed.
carrying present appropriation Of
$40 100000 and enough more for the
rights OF Colombia and for beginning
the work to carry the total up to $780,
900. 900.
The entire cost OF the undertaking
Ia approximately Sls4. 100000. Mr..
Cannon's estimate also omitted con-
tracts for future expenditures includ-
ed In the omnibus public buildings bill.
the omnibus claims and various bills
aggregating a large amount. This will
carry the total for the session. hgur-
ing in these future amounts. almost. II
not quite. up to the billion dollar mark.
The appropriations bills have con-
tanned little general legislation. being
confined chiefly to the regular needs
OF the various branches of the govern
ment. The naval bill provided for an
addition Of two armored cruisers. two
battleships and two gunboats TO the
navy and . provision Is still on con-
troversy ~ TO whether one of each
class Of these ships shall be built In
government yards.
Several Investigations.
There have been several investiga.
tions during the session which have a.
tracted much attention, An investiga-
ton OF conditions In the Philippines.
conducted by the Philippine commit
tee Of the senate, has led to the exam
nation Of many witnesses high in the
conduct OF civil and military affairs In
the islands.
Another senate inquiry has related
to the conduct Of affairs In Cuba. and
especially ~ to the Affairs OF sugar.
In the house = sensation was caused
by the charge Of fraud In connection
with the sale Of the Danish West In.
dies, and led to an investigation. which
disclosed the groundless nature Of the
charges.