The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1903-03-13
FIFTY Seventh CONGRESS:
Brief Summary of the Important
Legislation Enacted by the
National Assembly.
RECORD MADE PASSED INTO HISTORY.
Establishment of Department Of
Commerce One of the Most Notable
Acts-Laws on Subjects of Trusts,
Army, Navy and Philippines Are
Full of Interest.

ACts-Aa"S Oh SuDJcctS VI IFuStS,
Army, Navy and Philippines Are
Full of Interest.
Washington, March 2.-The work Of
this session of congress, the closing of
which marks the expiration of the
fl1ty-seventh congress, has now come
10 an end, and a summary of the
legislation enacted during the two
sessions makes an interesting show
ing. The Fifty-seventh has been
busy congress and important results
have been obtained.
Among the acts of this session is
that creating the department of com
merce and labor and adding another
cabinet officer to the presidents Off
cial family. That department, with
George B. Cortelyou, late secretary
to the president, at its head, is now In
process of organization.
Anti-Rebate Law.
Another important piece of legis-
lation is the anti-rebate act, COM
monty known as the Elkins law. An
other bill was passed which enables
the attorney general to expedite suits
brought under the Sherman anti
trust law, and incorporated in the
legislative. executive and judicial APP
preparation act is provision which
places at the immediate disposal of
the attorney general the sum of
100000 to better: equip him for the
enforcement of the antitrust laws
now existing.
Coal Duty Suspended. 80
One of the first acts of this session
was the suspension of the tariff on
coal of all kinds coming from any
foreign country.
Legislation of Importance to the
army and navy was enacted. A gen
eral staff corps has been provided for
the United States army, the duties of
| which are to prepare plans for the
| defense of the country and for the,
| mobilization of the armies of the
| well as to render professional aid to
the secretary of war and the general
officers of the army.
The militia bill provides for the
general organization of the militia
of the United States and makes it
available when it's services may be
required by the government.
The naval appropriation bill. which
has passed both houses, provides for
material increase in the personnel
of the navy to meet the growing de-
| mands for officers and men; also for
an increase in the number of war
ships.
Relief for Philippines.
Measures of great Importance to
the Philippines have been adopted.
| An appropriation of 100000 was
made to relieve the distress and suf-
! fering caused by the ravages of dis
ease among the water buffalo in the
| islands, upon which the natives are
| almost wholly dependent in the pur-
| suit of agriculture, and distress re-
sulting from the shortage of crops
due to war and other causes. A cur
rency system has been provided for
the Philippine islands.
Hawaii Aided.
Of Importance to Hawaii is the act
passed at this session for the redemp-
ton by the United States of Hawaiian
silver money, and the appropriation
| to pay judgments growing out of the
suppression of bubonic plague.
The sundry civil bill makes appre-
| priations for carrying forward river
| and harbor work and federal build
| ing construction, while the omnibus
| public building bill, now pending, au-
| thorizes a large number of new
| buildings throughout the United
| States.
Anarchy Law Passed.
The anarchy bill. providing for the
protection of the president, has
passed both houses and conferees
have agreed upon it.
The bankruptcy law was amended,
| and number of bills affecting public
lands were passed. In addition, a
| large number of bills of interest to
| different localities have been passed,
together with considerable number
| of private pension bills. A new build
ing to cost 81, SOC, 900 has been author
lied for the department. of agricul-
ture.
Adopted at First Session.
Among the acts of the Fifty
seventh congress which were adopted
at the first session are the following:
Authorizing the construction of an
isthmian canal; providing civil gov
| eminent for the Philippines; provid-
ing revenue for the Philippines; ex-
tending Chinese exclusion laws; re-
peal of war taxes; extending char
| ters of national banks; creating
permanent census bureau; providing
| system for the irrigation of the
arid lands of the west; providing a
consular and diplomatic service for
Cuba.
Names Batt1eships.