The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1903-03-05
TREND OF EVENTS
AT WASHINGTON.
Transpiracies Of Mote, News and
Views of National Interest.
WORK OF CONGRESS.
What Present Session Has Accomplished.
...Created q New Department, Passed
Elkins Bill.-.-Took Duty Off CoaI.--.
Measures Of Importance to Philippines

Washington.-The work of this
session Of the congress, closing of
which marks the expiration of the
Fifty seventh congress. is practically
at an end except for the passage of
the appropriation bills now pending
and these are in the final stages. A
summary of the legislation enacted
during the two seasons makes an in
tereting showing. Among the acts
CT his session is that creating the de-
par sment of commerce and labor and
adding another cabinet officer to the
presidents official family. The de-
partment with Cortelyou at the
head, is now in process Of organiza-
ton. Another important piece of
legislation enacted at this session is
the anti-rebate act, commonly
known as the Elkins law.
Another bill was passed which en-
ables the attorney general to expe-
date suits brought Under the Sher-
man antitrust law, and incorporated
in. the legislative, executive and
judicial act is a provision which
places at the Immediate disposal of
the attorney general tie sum Of
$500, 600 to better equip him for the
enforcement of the antri trust laws
now existing. A further provision
Is made in tbs general deficiency
bill for two assistants to the attorney
general and additional clerks.
The house also passed the Little
field antitrust bill. The bill failed
to pass the senate. One of the first
acts of this session was the removal
of the tariff ON coal of all kinds COM
ing from any foreign country. Leg
isIation of Importance to the navy
and army was enacted. The general
staff corps has beer provided for
the United States army, the duties
of which are to prepare plans for
the mobilization of the armies OF the
United States in times of war as
the secretary of war and the gener-.
al officers CT tie army. This meas
ure was opposed by the secretary of
war. The military bill which Pass
ed the house during the first ses-
sion, passed the senate has become a
law. This act provides for the gen.
eral organization of the militia of
the United States aid makes it avail
able when it's services may be re-
CURED by the government.
The naval appropriation, which
has passed both houses, provides for
material increase in the personnel
in the ravy to meet the growing de-
mands for officers and men; also for
increase in the number of warships.
Measures of great Importance to
the Philippines have been adopted
at this session. An appropriation
CT So, 100000 was made to relieve
the distress and suffering caused by
the ravages of disease among the
water buffalo in the islands upon
which the natives are almost wholly
depenent in the pursuit of planting.
shortage of crops due to war and
other causes. A currency system
has been proved for the Philippine
! island.
Another act promoted the efficlen-
cy of the Philippine constabulary
and another provided for extradi-
ticn of criminals to and from: the ISL
ands. The house passed bill to re-
duce the Philippine tariff and the
senate has been urged by the presi-
dent to complete the act.
Of Importance to Hawaii is the act
of the redemption by the United
States CT Hawaiian silver money
and the appropriation to pay judg-
ment is growing out Of the suppress
sion of the bubonic plague.
The su.ndry civil bill, soon to be-
come law, makes appropriation
for carrying forward river and har-
Dor work and Federal buildings
construction, while the omnibus
public buildings bill new pending,
authorizes large number of new
buildings throughout the United
States.
The anarchv bill providing for
Charles q. More, formerly cashier
/ of the New Orleans mint. has hoon