The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1903-03-03

Washington. February 2s.-The work
of this session of congress. the closing
Of which marks the expiration Of the
51th congress, is practically at an e!,d
except for the passage of the app o.
priation bills now pending, and these
are in the final stages. A limited num-
Der of other measures may be PASSED
during the last hours, but the number
will be very small.
A summary of the legislation enacted
during the two sessions m 1kes an in
teresting showing. The 57th has been
busy congress. and important results
have obtained.
creating the department of commerce
and labor, and adding another cabinet
officer to the presidents official farlily
The bill crea ting this department con-
tains provisions for investigating COY
portations.
Another important piece OF Legislation
enacted at this session is the anti-re-
bate act. commonly known as the FL
kins LAW.
Another bill was passed which en-
ables the attorney general TO expedite
suits brought under the Sherman anti
trust law and Incorporated in the leg
islative, executive and Judicial apl~o-
priatiOn act is provision which ldaces
at the immediate disposal Of the attor-
ney general, the sum of 100000 to let
ter equipment for the enforcement of
| the antitrust laws now existing. A
further provision is made in the general
deficiency bill for two assistants to the
attorney general and additional clerks.
The house also passed the Littletield
antitrust bill which contained pub
lcity feature as we'll as an anti-rehate
clause. The bill failed Of Lassase in
the senate.
One of the first acts of this session
| was the removal of the tariff on coal
of all kinds coming from any foreign
| country.
Legislation Of Importance to the army
and navy was enacted. A general stat
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 United States In
times of war, as we'll as to cender pr o.
fessional aid to the secretary of war
and the general officers of the army.
| The militia bill, introduced by Repre-
sentative Dick, of Ohio, and which
passed the house during the first Sos
| sion. passed the senate during this ses-
sion and has become a law This act
| 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 VIII Oh
| has passed both houses provides for a
! material increase in the personnel of
| the navy to meet the growing demands
for officers and men; also for an in
crease in the number of warships.
| Measures of great Importance to the
! Philippines have been adopted at this
session. An appropriation of So, 900 O0C
! was made to relieve the distress and
! suffering caused by the ravages of d;s-
ease among the water buffalo in the
islands upon which the natives are ell
! most.WhOlly dependent in the pursuit
OF agriculture and distress resultine
from the shortage of crops due to war
and other causes. A currency system
has been provided for the Philippine
islands. Another act promoted the ef-
! fiCiency Of the Philippine consta bul3ry
! ard still another provided fer extrrdi-
ton Of criminals TO and from the is-
lands. The house passed q bin tc re-
duce the Philippine tariff, and the sen
ate has been urged by the president tc
complete that act.
The anarchy bill providing for the
protection of the president has passed
both houses and conferees have agreed
unon it.
Among the acts of the 51th congress:
which were adopted at the tirst session
are the following: Authorizing tht
construction of an isthmian canal. PRO
viding civil government for the Philip.
pines. providing revenue for the Philip
pine islands, extending Chinese eXC,u
sion laws. repeal of war taxes, extend
ing charters of national banks. Great
ing a permanent census bureau, pro
viding a system for the irrigation o
the arid lands, providing q consula
and diplomatic service for Cuba.