The Delta independent., 1902-07-04
MUCH IMPORTANT WORK DONE
BY FIFTY.SEVENTH CONGRESS

over for final adjustment on differ
ences until next December.
Another bill passed by the Senate
and likely to become law changes
the marine hospital service to na-
tional health bureau and gives the bu-
reau large powers and facilities for CO.
operating with the state health author
tiles in quarantine and health affairs.
The bill to establish a cable between
the United States, Hawaii and the
Philippines was retired by defeat in
the House
Several other measures have ad-
vanced to certain stage and have
then halted without much prospect for
further advancement. These include
the bill for the election of United
States senators by direct vote of the
people. 1t passed the House by prac-
tically unanimous vote, but in the
Senate 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 report
ed to the Senate, but there is not much
prospect OF its passage at this session.
The bill defining the meaning of con
! spiracy in injunction cases passed the
made much progress in the Senate.
On the other hand the Senate passed
| an important measure creating de-
partment of commerce, TO be presided
| over by Cabinet officer, but 1t has
made no progress in the House. not
| having been reported from the com
mittee on commerce.
Another bill of interest to the com
merclal world is the pure food meas
| ure. which was drafted by the Pure
Food Congress. and after extended
hearings was reported from the House
| committee on commerce, but not
passed.
The Fowler bill probably was the
most important financial measure
which has been brought before Con-
gress. After much discussion and sew
eral conferences II has gone over for
consideration until next December.
Another financial measure. known as
the Hill bill, providing for the coinage
of subsidiary silver and for the retire
ment OF the present standard silver
| dollar. has passed the House, but has
not been acted on In the Senate.
Among the other important measures
OF general legislation not heretofore
| named. which have finally been enact
ed as laws. are the following:
| To prevent the sale of firearms. OPT
um and intoxicating liquors 90 the ma
,ives of certain of the Pacific islands:
to promote the efficiency OF the reve-
nue. cutter service and TO provide for
the retirement OF lis officers: to refund
the duties paid in Porto Rico on arti-
| clcs imported from the United States
| during the military occupation; appro-
priating S21.0u for the relief of the
| l,,f.
| rhoriZing the erection Of y. NJ. &. A.
buildings ON United States military
reservations; regulating the introduc-
ton OF English game birds for the
purpose OF propagation; providing for
| III. protection of game in Alaska. such
as caribou. moose. etc: extending an
| invitation 10 the French government
| 10 participate in the unveiling in
| Washington OF she statue OF Marshal
DE itochambeau; refundinc the
, amount of legacy tax paid by chari-
table. benevolent and elecmosynary in
stituti,ns.
] The amount OF appropriations for
| the session viii run unusually high.
/ owing In part Ia the amount required
/ To build the lsthmian canal. When
| Mr.. Cannon submitted general esti-
mate Of appropriations n few weeks
/ S,s'l .i,i5opJ. Since then the canal hill
| has passed, carrying n present appro-
! priaticn Of S+Oss.pp for the fran
| chisr and enough more for the rights
OF Colombia and for beginning the
work 10 carry the total mp TO S-OOO.-
! 90.
The entire cost of the undertaking is
/ approximately SlSI.0up.sS. Mr.. Can
mons estimate also omitted contracts
! FOR future expenditure included In the
omnihus claims and various other
| hills. agrreratinr large amount. This
/ viii carry the total for the session. fig
uring In these future amounts. almost.
II not quite, up to the billion dollar
mark.
The appropriation bills have con-
, tained little legislation. being con-
fined chiefly TO the regular needs OF
the various branches Of the govern
ment. The naval bill provided for an
| addition Of two armorcd cruisers. two
battleships and two gunboats To the
navy. and n provision Is still In contro-
vcrsy as to whether one of each class
of these ships shall be built In govern
mcnt yards.
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