Evening journal., 1902-07-02
WHAT 1T HAS DONE

The first session OF the Fffty-sevenrh
Congress adjourned yesterday. after
having accomplished much, and paving
the way for important legislation TO be
taken up in December at the short ses-
sion The most important measure is
the lsthmian canal blll which author
ICES the construction OF waterway be-
tween the two oceans, and which pro
yides for a possible expenditure OF
ls1S40OO 900 The President has signed
the bill and has already directed At
torney-General Knox TO look into the
title.
Next in importance comes the meas
ure which has caused one of the most
bitter controversies Congress has ever
experienced--the Philippine Civil Gov
ernment bill. This guarantees to the
Filipinos the largest measure of lib
erty they have ever possessed, and in
sures a government largely under na-
tive control should the people prove
themselves worthy. 1t is intended to
cover the period during which the ma
tivos are adjusting themselves to the
new relations and settling down to
peaceful pursuits.
The war taxes, amounting to about
s73, ,250,O 600 annually, have been repeal
ed These taxes were instituted at THE
outbreak OF tho Spanish war, and were
regarded as no longer necessary for
the purposes Of revenue.
A River and Harbor bill providing
for necessary Improvements 10 streams
and waterways, WAS passed. Delaware
receives a large appropriation, Will
mington getting $4,000. and a number
OF streams down the State, $4,000
each.
AN expenditure OF $25OO,O is au-
thorized for reclamation of arid lands
or the West by irrigation This win
open up for settlement hundreds of
thousands of acres. and will add great
ly to the national wealth. II is thought
that under the provisions of the bin
the Government expenditure will be re-
turned from the revenue derived under
the measure.
The Chinese Exclusion law has been
extended. keeping out Chinese labor.
and protecting the American working
men.
Some other measures passed are:
The establishment OF a permanent
Census Bureau.
"A law TO prevent the fraudulent sale
of oleomargarine for genuine butter.
A tariff system for the Philippine
and preferential rates on Philippine
products coming into the United States.
TWO hundred thousand dollars for
the relief Of volcano sufferers in Mar
Unique
The extension of national bank char
ters for another twenty years
The refunding OF legacy taxes paid
by charitable. benevolent and eleemosy-
nary institutions.
The prohibition OF the sale of fire
arms, opium and intoxicating liquors
10 natives of certain Pacific islands
Provision for the retirement Of offi-
GERS in the revenue cutter service.
The authorization OF a new modern
establishment at West Point
A total OF 1851 pensions granted in
special bills.
A law TO promote the efficiency on
the marine hospital service.
But Congress has much more to ita
Ioredit. Certain measures of vast import
ance have been we'll advanced, having
passed one house, and will be taken
lup at the next session. Some OF these
ARE: A bill making reciprocal trade
agreement with Cuba; for the upbuild
ing of the American merchant marine
for the establishment Of a Department.
p of Commerce; granting statehood t.
, Oklahoma, New Mexico and Arizona; I,
y promote the efficiency of the militia
{ for the protection OF the life OF tn
a President; providing further restriction
Il OF immigration; creating the Appala
o chian Forest Reserve.