The state herald., 1902-07-04

washington, July 1.-The work OF
Congress is now practically closed, SO
that it is possible to sum up the rec
ord of what has been accomplished
during the past seven months, which
constitute the first session of the Fif-
ty.seventh Congress.
The session has been marked by ex-
ceptional business activity, with many
questions of tar-reaching general in-
terest engaging attention.
With the exception of the Cuban re-
ciprocity bill, most of the larger sub
jects of general legislation have been
enacted as laws, or will become such
before the session closes. Notable
Among these larger measures is the
Isthmian canal bill, which consum-
mates the efforts of half century to
link together the waters of the Attain
tic and Pacific. Aside from its nation
nj and international Importance, this
I'LL probably involves larger sum of
single undertaking by the government
outside of war expenditures.
The Philippine civil government bill
is another measure of far-rcaching i'm
portance, extending to our remote Pa
cific possessions system of internal
government, together with coinage,
currency, banking, corporation, timber
and homestead laws. Among the 9TH
tr important general laws enacted are
those repeating the war revenue taxes;
extending and making more effective
the Chinese exclusion laws: establish
ing tariff for goods to and from the
Philippines; extending the charter of
national banks for twenty years; es-
tablishlng permanent census office;
restricting the sale of oleomargarine
by placing high tax on imitation but
ter; providing Il consular and diplo-
matte service for Cuba: establishing an
extensive system by which the govern
ment will aid in the irrigation of the
arid sections of the West.
The repal of the war revenue taxes
reduced taxation ST3,35O,OOO. and is
said to be the largest single reduction
of taxation ever made in this county.
BY this step the last of the taxes i'm
posed at the beginning of our war
with Spain are wiped out.
The Philippine tariff act imposes sew
enty-iive per cent. of the Dingley tariff
rates on articles coming from the Phil
ippines to the United States and also
imposes on articles entering the Phil
ippines from the United States the
rates, Of duties established by the
Philippine Commission.
The oleomargarine act results from
several years agitation. IL places a
tax of 10 cents pound on substances
colored 30 initiate butter.
The irrigation act is of special i'm
portance to the development of the
West 1t creates an irrigation fund In
the Treasury Department, into which
is to be paid the proceeds of the sale of
public lands In the arid states. This
fund in turn is 10 be used In storing
water and establishing irrigation sys-
tens. the irrigation sections To be
opened to homcsteaders, who are To be
charged proportionate share of the
cost OF the Improvement.
The Chinese exclusion law coniinues
exclusion '''until otherwise enacted by
law and also applies the exclusion
"to the islands and territory under the
Jurisdiction of the United States"
Aside from these important laws
there are n number OF other measures
of general importance which have
passed one or both houses. but have
not progressed to the final stage. These
include the anti-anarcby legislation,
which grew out of the assassination OF
President Mckinley. Bills restricting
anarchy and throwing safeguards
about the President have passed both
branches OF Congress. but IL has been
impossible TO reach an agreement III
conference. so that the 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 hill secured early
the session has come without the
measure being reported 10 the House.
As II passed the Senate the bill grants
graded subsidies to steam and sailing
vessels OF American build. In the
house II has been deemed desirable ia
let the subject go over until the short
session. when II is expected that n
bill ON the subject viii be reached and
urged 10 passage.
The bill creating the Appalachian
forest reserve. including n vast tract
IN the Appalachian mountain section
of the South. has received favorable at
tentloD In both houses, but has gone
4 4 a 4 4 4 4 a 4