Smyrna times., 1903-03-11

AFTER three months busy session
the Fifty-seventh Congress adjourned
last Wednesday sine die. While some
measures were not passed that should
have been, on the whole the record
made was highly gratifying. Presi-
dent Roosevelt in his com olimentary
letter to retiring Speaker Henderson
took occasion to praise the work done
by Congress. One of the greatest
achievements of the session was the
passage of the antitrust Law. The
Republicans are especially pleased at
the work done in this direction and it
is thought the comprehensive plan for
controlling trusts will result in much
good. Among the important Legisla-
tion enacted was:
The creation of the ninth executive
department designated as that of
Commerce and Labor. An act was
passed creating a general staff corps
for the army. This has been one of
Secretary Roots ambitions. Provision
was made for creating a militia service
which will be of great utility in time
of war.
A new Immigration law was passed
which will do much to restrain the
incoming of Objectionable aliens. 1t
will render the Contract Labor laws
more rigid and put into execution
stringent regulations for the exclusion
and control of anarchists.
The Bankruptcy act was amended
so as to remove the objections raised
against the existing law and to prevent
fraudulent transactions by debtors.
The gold standard was extended to
the Philippine Islands and system
of coinage provided.
The duty on anthracite coal was re-
moved, permitting large importatiOns
of fuel from Nova Scotia and Canada
An act was passed to increase the
pensions of those who have lost limbs
in the military or naval service of the
United States.
The safety of employees and travel
ers OF railroads has been increased by
additional legislation requiring the
use of automatic couplers, continuous
brakes and driving wheel brakes.
The Pension laws were amended to
prevent the practice of young women
marrying aged ex-soldiers for the
purpose of receiving widows pensions
after their deaths.
A union railroad station was author
lied for Washington which will cos
several million dollars.
The bill to protect the President
Vice President and Cabinet officials
after passing both branches of Con
gress and being agreed to in confer
ence, failedto become law.
The bill reducing the tariff on al
importatlons from the Philippines t
this country to 25 per cent. of th
Dingley act rates, which passed th
House, was talked to death in tn
Senate. This measure was urgentl
desired by the President.
The Omnibus Statehood bill, whic
passed the House last session, proviC
ing for the admission of Arizona, Ne
Mexico and Oklahoma as States, We
fH' l against in the Senate fC
eeks and its passage pre-
vented.
The Littlefeld Antitrust bill
almost passed unanimously by tt
House and favorably reported by Il
Senate Judiciary Committee failed {
action.
Among the acts Of the Fifty-sevenf
Congress which we're adopted at Il
first session are the following:
Authorization of the constructiC
of an Isthmian Canal, providing ci,
government for the Philippines, pr
viding revenue for the Philippi
Islands, extending Chinese exclusi,
laws. repeal of war taxes, extendil
charters of national banks, creatil
permanent Census Bureau, providi
ssystem for the irrigation of the al
lands of the West and providing a CO
4 r Ff..n