Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-01-02
tenant 0unior grade Michael J. Mccormick
and Ensign John Hailigan, jr
General Lepislation


Congress was in session during 1902 until
July .. meeting again December I for the
short session. In the long session OF the
Fifty-Seyenth Congress some notable Iegis-
lation was enacted. The most important
was the passage of the bill providing for
the construction of a canal to connect the
waters of the Pacific and Atlantic oceans
That measure, which was signed by the
President June 3d. authorized the Presi-
dent of the United States to acquire by
purchase the rights and franchises of the
Panama Canal Company, and failing to
get good title to that property, to secure
the Nicaragua route. Acting under the
authorization of that act the officials of
this government now are negotiating with
the Colombian government for perpetual
title to the property.
Important legislation for the Philippines
was enacted The civil government BILL
providing a liberal form Of civil govern
ment for the islands. was passed after long
debate, which was marked by considerable
bitterness in the Senate, alleged cruelties
OF the American army in the Philippines
toward the nation being charged by some
senators and with equal vigor refuted by
others. An investigation by a Senate COM
mittee developed that there had been iso-
lated instances of cruelty, perpetrated I'M
der strong provocation, but that in the
main the conduct of the American soldiery
was humane. bill was passed reducing
the duties goods entering the United
States from the Philippines to rate equal
to IS per cent of the Dingley acts rates.
At the beginning of this session a bill was
introduced and passed the House further
reducing the tariff 10 % per cent of the
Dingley rates.
The last vestige of internal revenue taxa
ton levied on account OF the Spanish Amer
lean war was removed. Congress passing
act, April IL, repeating all the war taxes.
The Chinese exclusion act, which would
have otherwise expired by limitation In
May, was extended April 20, 1892, after
vigorous fight made against it in the SEN
ate. This act. important for the protec-
labor Of the orient, will remain in force
until further action by Congress.
An act was passed subjecting oleomar-
garine and other imitation dairy products
to the laws OF the state or territory into
which they are transported, and changing
the tax oleomargarine. This act was
demanded by the dairy and farming inter
ests of the country. and was only passed
after strong resistance from opposing in
terests. An act was also passed to pre-
vent the false branding or marking of food
and dairy products as to the state or terri
tsry in which they are produced.
Proposed reciprocity with Cuba occupied
the attention Of Congress throughout the
first session. A bill authorizing reduc-
ton of 20 per cent in customs duties on
the products of Cuba, in return for SINH
lar concession on the part Of Cuba, passed
the House after a hard fight Opposition
came from ultra protectionists, who
thought the beet sugar industry of this
country was menaced by the proposed re-
duction The bill went to the Senate. where
it was sidetracked by the same interests
and Congress adjourned without action
During the recess a treaty was negotiated
with Cuba for reciprocity, and was pre-
scented to the Senate early In the present
session and now is pending for ratification.