Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-06-30
57TH CONGRESS-.
Work of the Session Is Now
Practically Completed.
Some of the Notable Measures Which
Have Been Passed.
Total Appropriations Will Approach
Billion Dollar Mark.

Washington, June 29.-The work Of
Congress is now practically closed ga
mat II is possible to sum IN the
record OF what has been ACCOMPLISHED
during the past seven months. which
constitute the first session Of the 57th
congress. The session has been
marked by exceptional business ac-
tlVlty, with many questions Of far
reaching interest engaging attention.
With the exception of the Cuban reel
rroclty bill. most of the larger subjects,
Of general legislation have been enact !
ed as laws or will become such before
the session closes.
Notable among these larger meas
ures is the isthmian canal bill. which
consumates the efforts of half a CEN
fury to link together the waters Of
the Atlantic and the Pacific. Aside
from its national and international
Importance this bill probably involves
a larger sum of money than that cover
ing any other single undertaking by
the government outside Of war ex-
penditures.
The Philippine civil government bill
is another measure of far reaching i'm
rortance. extending to our remote
Pacific possessions a system of internal
civil government, together with coin
age, currency, banking corporation,
timber and homestead laws.
Among the other important general
laws enacted are those repeating the
war revenue taxes; extending and
making more effective the Chinese ex-
clusion laws; establishing a tariff for
goods to and from the Philippines: eX-
tending the charter of national banks
for 20 years; establishing a permanent
census office; restricting the sale of
ClcOmargarine Ivy placing a high tax
on imitation butter; providing a con-
sular and diplomatic service for Gu
ba; establishing an extensive system
by which the government viii aid in
the irrigation of the arid sections of
the West.
The repeal of the war revenue taxes
reduced taxation $73,250,000 ana is
said to be tbs largest single reduction
ever made in this country.
The Philippine tariff act imposes
- per cent. of the Dingley tariff rates
on articles coming from the Philip
pines 10 the United States and also
imposes on articles entering the Phil
ippines from the United States, the
ates Of duties established by the
commission. The oleomar-
sarine act results from several years
OF agitation. 1t places 4 tax of 10
cents a pound on substances colored
TO initiate butter.
The irrigation act is of special i'm
rortance to the development Of the
West.
The Chinese exclusion law continues
exclusion until otherwise provided by
law" and also applies the exclusion
TO the island territory under the juris- |
diction of the United States"
Aside from these important laws
there are a number Of other measures
of importance which have passed one
Or both Houses. but have not pro-
crossed to the final stage. These in
clude the anti-Anarchy legislation and
the ship subsidy bill.
The bill to establish q cable be-
tween the United States, Hawaii and
The Philippine was retired by defeat
in the House of Representatives..
The bill for the election Of United
States senators by direct vote of the
PEOPLE passed the House by practical
~ unanimous vote. but in the Sem
ate has received little attention and is
not likely 20 PASS.
On the other hand the Senate passed
an important measure creating a de-
partment Of commerce, to be presided
over by a cabinet officer, but it has
made no progress in the House, not
having been reported from the commit
tee on commerce.
The amount of appropriations for the
session will run unusually high, owing |
IN part to the amount required to build |
the sthmian canal. When Mr.. Can |
non submitted a general estimate OF
appropriations, few weeks ago, he |
made the total up to that time $691 49, |
300. Since then the canal bill has pass |
ed. carrying a present appropriation of
$40, 00o. 900 for the franchise. and enough |
more for the rights Of Colombia and for
beginning the work to carry the total |
up to S50,O00.000. The entire cost Of the
is approximately $lS4,OOO,- |
200
Mr. Cannon's estimate also omitted |
CONTINUED on page %