Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1902-07-09

INt6tttht ttiiio
restricting anarchy and throwing safe
guards about the president. have pass
ed both branches OF congress. but II
has been impossible TO reach an agree
ment in conference so that subject
goes over until next December.
A bill giving statehood to Arizona,
New Mexico and Oklahoma, known as
the omnibus statehood bill, passed the
house and the senate has determined
to take mp the matter early in the
next session.
The ship subsidy bill secured early
attention In the senate, but the end
OF the session has come without the
measure being reported TO the house.
As Il passed the senate the bill grants
graded subsidies to steam and sail
ing vessels OF American build. In the
house il was being deemed desirable
to let the subject go over until the
short session when II is expected that
a bill on the subject will be reported
and urged to passage.
The bill creating the Appalachian
forest reserve. including n vast tract
in the Appalachian mountain section
of the south. has received favorable
attention in both houses, but has gone
over for final adjustment of differ
ences until next December.
Another bill passed by the senate
and likely to become a law changes
the marine hospital service to a ma
tional health bureau and gives the
bureau larger power and facilities for
cooperating with the state health au-
thorities in quarantine and health af-
fairs. The bill to establish a cable
between the United States, Hawaii
and Philippines was retired by defeat
in the house representatives.
Several other measures have advan-
ced to d certain stage and have then
halted without much prospect for fur
ther advancement. These include the
bill for election Of United States SEN
ator by direct vote of the people. II
passed the house by practically a un-
animous vote. but in the senate 1t has
received little attention and is not
likely to pass.
The house passed bill relating to
the immigration laws, codifying and
amending these laws relating to i'm
portant changes. Ii has been sent
to the senate. but there is not much
prospect of its passing this session.
The bill defining the meaning of con-
spiracy in injunction cases passed the
house of representatives. but has not
made much progress in the senate.
On the other hand, the senate passed
an important measure creating the
department of commerce. to be pre-
sided over by cabinet officer, but it
has made no progress in the house,
not having been reported from the
committee on commerce.
The Fowler bill was probably the
most important financial measure
which has been brought before con
gress. After considerable public dis
cussion and several conferences by
members OF the house, II has gone ov-
er for consideration next Lecember.
Another financial measure. known as
the Hill BILL" provides for the coin
age OF subsidiary silver anu for retire
ment OF the present standard silver
dollar, has passed the house but not
acted on in the senate.
In the amount Of appropriations for
the session the sum will run unusually
high owing to the amount required to
build the isthmian canal. When Sen
ator Cannon submitted general esti-
mate OF appropriations a few weeks
ago. he made the total up to that time
s691 ,445 900. Since then the canal
bill has passed, carrying a present
appropriation of S40,000.000 for the
franchise and enough more for the
rights of Colombia and for bringing
the work nearly up to the total of
$4,000, 900. Mr.. Cannon's estimate
also submits contracts for future ex-
penditure included in the omnibus
public building. the omnibus claims
and various other bills aggregating
large amount. This will carry the
total for the session, figuring in these
future amounts. almost if not quite,
up to the billion dollar mark.
The appropriation bills have con-
tained little general legislation, being
confined chiefly to the regular needs
OF the various branches OF the gov.
ernment.
During the session an investigation
of conditions in the Philippines. con-
Quoted by the Philippine committee
of the senate. has led to the examlna-
tion of many witnesses. In the con-
duct of civil and military affairs in
Cuba. especially as to sugar In the
house. sensational charges made in
connection with the purchase OF the
Danish West Indies led to an inves-
tigation which disclosed the ground
less nature OF the charges.