Watertown republican. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1860-1906, 1902-07-05

gress Is now practically closed, so that it
is possible to sum up 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 activity,
with many questions of far-reaching gen.
eral interest engaging attention. With the
exception of the Cuban reciprocity bill most
Of the larger subjects of general legislation
have been enacted as laws or will become
such before the session closes.
Important Legislation.
Notable among these larger measures is
the isthmian canal bill, which consummatez
the efforts of half century 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 covering
any other single undertaking by the govern
ment outside Of war expenditures. The
Philippine civil government bill is another
measure of far-rea ching Importance, ex-
tending to our remote Pacific possessions
system Of internal civil government, to-
gether with coinage, currency banking cor
poratiOn, timber, and homestead laws
Among the other important general laws
enacted are those repeating the war reve-
nue. taxes; extending and making more
effective the Chinese exclusion laws; estab-
fishing a tariff for goods to and from the
Philippines; extending the charter Of ma
=
permanent census office; restricting the
sale of oleomargarine by placing high tax
On imitation butter; providing a consular
and diplomatic service for Cuba; esta blish-
Ing an. extensive system by which the gov
eminent will aid in the irrigation Of the
arid sections of the west.
War Revenue Tax Repealed
The repeal of the war revenue taxes re-
duced taxation $73, 100000, and is said to be
the largest single reduction of taxation ever
made in this country. By this step the last
Of the taxes imposed at the beginning Of
our war with Spain was wiped out The
Philippine tariff act imposes rs per cent. of
the Dingley tariff rates on articles coming
from the Philippines to the United States,
and also imposes on articles entering the
Philippines from the United States the
rates of duties established by the Philip
pine commission. The oleomarga act
results from several years of agitation It
places a tax of ten cents a pound on SUBJ
stances colored to initiate butter.
Chinese Exclusion.
The Chinese exclusion law continues ex-
clusion until otherwise provided by law"
and also applies the exclusion 'to the
island territory under the jurisdiction of the
United States"
Still Pending
Aside from these important laws there
are 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-anarchy leg
fslation, which grew out Of the assass1na-
ton of President Mckinley. Bills restrict
ing anarchy and throwing safeguards about
the presid ent have passed both branches Of
congress, but it has been impossible to
reach an agreement in conference, SO that
the subject goes over until next December.
A bill giving statehood to Arizona, New
Mexico and Oklahoma, known as the omni-
bus statehood bill, passed the house and
the senate has determined to take up the
matter early in the next session.
The ship subsidy bill secured early atten-
ton in the senate, but the end of the session
has come without the measure being re-
ported to the house. AS 1t passed the sem
ate the bill grants graded subsidies to
steam and sailing vessels of American
build. In the house it has been deemed de-
sirable to let the subject go over until the
short session, when it is expected that
bill on the subject will be reported and
urged to passage.
Several other mea sures have advanced
to certain stage and have then halted
without much prospect for further ad-
yancement. These include the bill for the
election Of United States senators by d.
rect vote Of the people. 1t passed the house
by practically unanimous vote, but in the
senate has received little attention and Is
not likely to pass.
The house passed a bill relating to the
immigration laws, codifying and amending
these laws relating to important changes
1t has been reported to the senate, but there
is not much prospect of its passage at this
session The bill defining the meaning of
conspiracy 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 meas
ure creating department Of commerce, to
be presided over by cabinet officer, but it
has made 40 progress in the house, not hav-
ing been reported from the committee on
commerce.
Another bill of interest to the commercial
world is the pure food measure 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 congress. After considera-
BILE public discussion and several confer
ences by the members of the house it has
gone over for consideration next December.
Another financial measure, known as the
Hill bill, providing for the coinage Of sub
sidiary silver and for the retirement Of the
present standard silver dollar, has passed
the house but has not been acted on in the
senate.
The Appropriations.
The amount Of appropriations for the ses-
sion Will run unusually high, owing in part
to the amount required to build the 18TH
milan canal. When Mr.. Cannon submitted
general estimate of appropriations few
weeks ago, he made the total up to that
time s691, 445, 900. Since then the canal bill
has passed, carrying a present appropria-
ton of 100000, 900 for the franchise, and
enough more for the rights Of Colombia
and for beginning the work to carry the
total up to $50, 600. The entire cost of the
undertaking is approximately $1S4, 0OO, 000
Mr.. Cannon's estimate also omitted con-
tracts for future expenditure 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 bill
lon-dollar mark The appropriation bills
have contained little general legislation,
being confined chiefly to the regular needs
of the various branches of the government.
Murder in Chicago.
Chicago, June 30.-Harry Murphy
shot and instantly killed William Hall
(colored) at 1907 Ashland avenue.
Hall was abusing a 14-year-old boy
when he was ordered to desiSt by
IT, l.