Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1903-03-07
Work of the 57th Congress.

eo, L ueSudy, accomplished HiuSh iilolt
work than is usually done in the So
called short session. Its chief triumph
was a trio of measures which, taken to-
gether, will supply the national govern
ment with practieaip and 4 effective
means for checking trust excuses.
When Congress convened, last De-
cember, the chief recommendations in
President Roosevelts message to it
were these:
]. Legislation to restrict the ex-
cesses of trusts
2. An appropriation for the better
enforcement of the Sherman anti
trust law.
,. Removal of the tariff on anthra-
cite COAL
4. Legislation looking to more flexi
BILE currency conditions.
5. The creation of a Department of
Commerce.
6. Reciprocity with Cuba.
Z. Ratification of the Newfound-
land convention.
s. The Panama canal treaty.
8. The creation of a general staff
for the army.
10. The reorganization of the mill
tia.
II. Provision for more officers and
men for the navy.
Il. The extension of.rurar free de-
Livery. ~
OF these - leading recommendations,
all but four have ! been faverably
| acted on. The exceptions are cur
rency legislation the Newfoundland
| convention. the Cuban treaty and the.
canal treaty. Of these, the last two
will probably be 'favordbly acted on at
the special session That is a record
to be proud Of. 1t, IS a pity that the
proposed currency legislation failed,
but the responsibility for its fail
| ure rests upon the Democratic
Senators who deliberately fill
clustered against it on the closing
days. This action will rekindle
the popular distrust of the Democracy
on financial matters. In addition to
| the measures just enumerated, Con-
Philippines on a gold basis, and has
appropriated 100000 for Philippine
relief. 1t has also passed the anarchy
bilr' for the protection of the lives of
Presidents and officers in the line of
| presidential succession; and a moder-
ate measure in restriction of immigra-
ton. -''-'''"- d.
AS for the work of the whole two
years term of the 57th Congress, the
isthmian canal legislation will doubt
less rank as the most important ac-
comrlishment. After half a century of
delay and discussion the money has
been appropriated the route chosen,
the arrangements made and the
treaty will now be ratified. The crea-
ton of the new department of COM
merce. and, in connection with it, the
laws regulating trusts, is a long step
forward. Not only have laws been
passed to reorganize the National
Guard and give the regular army the
much needed general staff, but the
creation of the war college, the great
improvements at West Point and
Annonnlic tho iYn IN, 1,op
of navy officers, the new vessels for
the navy and other legislation greatly
strengthens both arms of the service.
The immigration bill is a step in the
right direction, but there is yet need of
much more legislation in the way of
excluding undesirable immigrants. The
extension of the Chinese exclusion act
was not without opposition, but there
is little doubt that it will again be ex-
tended when the 10 year limit is again |
reached. The repeal of the Spanish !
war taxes was justified by the excess |
of receipts over expenditures, and a |
continuation of the present prosperity |
pIcDdDly HledHS aIOtner reuuctlOn
when Congress meets, next December.
The irrigation bill means the opening
for cultivation of vast sections of the
West which are now arid and barren.
The oleomargarine bill protects the
farmer and has practically stopped the
fraudulent sale of that article for but
ter.
The currency measure for the Philip
pines and the preferential tariff rate,
granted at the first session, will help
conditions in those islands. A still
more liberal tariff rate would have
been granted at this session had not
the Democrats held up the bill by fill
The inconsistency of their
course in preventing this additional
relief for the Philippines needs mol
This Congress has done Es
much in the building line, wisely pro-
viding appropriations for new build
noe for tho A pric1llt,,raI danor+,, ,,xz.