Abilene weekly reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1888-1935, 1903-03-05
The SESSIONS WORK
"A Resume Of What the Fifty.Ssv-
enth Congress Has Done.
Many IMPORTANT MEASURES PASSED


ing OF Wh1ch marks tne eXpiTdIioh Va
the Fifty-seventh congress, is practi-
cally at an end, except for the pas
sage Of the appropriation bills now
pending and these are in the final
stages. A summary of the legislation
enacted during these two sessions
makes an interesting showing. The
(, Fifty-seventh has been busy con-
gress 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
10 process of organization. Another
important piece of legislation enacted
at this session is the anti-rebate act,
commonly known as the Elkins law.
Another bill was passed which
enables the attorney general to expe-
dite suits brought under the Sherman
antitrust law and incorporated in the
legislative, executive and judicial ap-
preparation act is provision which
places at the immediate disposal of
the attorney general the sum Of $780,
600 to better equip him for the en-
forcement Of the antitrust laws now
existing.
Measures Of great Importance to
the Philippines have been adopted at
this session. An appropriation of 49,
100000 was made to relieve the dis
tress and suffering caused by the raw
ages of disease among the water
buffalo in the islands, upon which
the natives are almost wholly de-
pendent in the pursuit Of agriculture
and to relieve the distress resulting
from the shortage of crops due to
war and other causes. A currency
system has been provided for the
Philippine islands. Another act pro-
NOTED the efficiency of the Philip
pine constabulary and still another
provided for the eXtradition of Grim
inals to and from the islands. The
house passed bill to reduce the Phil
ippine tariff, and the senate has been
urged by the president to complete
that act.
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 soon to become
IA law makes appropriations for car
rying forward river and harbor work
and federal building construction,
while the omnibus public building bill
now pending authorizes large num-
Der Of new buildings throughout the
United States. 5t
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 q number of bills affecting public
lands were passed. In addition
large number Of bills of interest to
different localities have been passed,
together with considerable number
Of private pension bills.
The house also passed the Little
field antitrust bill, which contained
publicity feature as well as an anti
trust clause. The bill failed Of pas
sage in the senate. One of the first
acts Of this session was the removal
at the tariff on coal Of all kinds COM
ing from any foreign country,
Legislation Of Importance to the
army and navy was enacted. A gem
nral staff corps has been provided for
the United States army, the duties of
which are to prepare plans for the
1efense of the country and for the
mobilization Of the armies Of the
United States in times of war, as
nell as to render professional aid TO
ne secretary Of war and the general
officers Of the army. This measure
mas proposed by the secretary Of
war.
The militia bill introduced by Rep
resentative Dick, of Ohio, which
passed the house during the first ses-
sion, passed the senate during this
session and has become a law. This
act provides for the general organiza-
zion Of the militia Of the United
States and makes 1t available when
~ services may be required by the
government. 7 ta.WN
The naval appropriation bill, which
has passed both houses, provided for
. material increase in the personnel
o. the navy to meet the growing de
mands for officers and men; also for
a increase in the number Of war
1hips.
Among the acts Of the Fifty-sev-
znfh congress which were adopted at
De first session are the following:
Authorizing the construction Of an
|sthmlan canal; providing civil gov.
arnment for the Philippines; provid-
~ revenue for the Philippines; ex-