The state herald., 1904-04-29
LATEST NEWS FROM WASHINGTON
Work of Fifty.Eiahth Congress.

WoIN VI ThtJ-6'Shh' SS'S' SS'
The important legislative accom-
plishments of the sessions of the FIJI
ty-Eighth Congress were confined to
two subjects, Cuba and Panama. The
reciprocity between the new island re-
public and the United States, initiat-
ed by President Mckinley, was made
operative by legislative enactment.
The ratification Of treaty by the
Senate and the subsequent initiation
of legislation for the government OF
the canal zone commit the United
States to the construction of the Pan
anna canal connecting the waters of
the Atlantic and Pacific occsns.
The Se-ate ratified the treaty ne
gotlated with Cuba to carry out the
terms of the Plat amendment.
1t also ratified the Chinese CONNER
cial treaty, which provides for two
open ports in Manchuria.
Chairman Hemenway of the House
committee on appropriations, in
statement compiled under his direc-
ton, gives the total of all supply bills,
subject to slight changes in pending
bills. as s597 7,SO2.324, to which must
be added sS4,971 $50 for interest on
the public debt. The estimated reve-
nues are S7O4, 1000. By these figures
the expenses are S22000,OO0 less than
the revenue. The estimates OF the va
rious government departments on
which the appropriation bills were
based, exceeded the total estimated
revenues by 42,S45,SG2. No river and
harbor bill was undertaken, and no
omnibus measure carrying provision
for new public buildings was allowed
pass.
While a total of over 400 bills be-
came laws during the two sessions,
less than $50 Of them were public bills
and OF this latter number one-halr
simply authorized tho bridging of riv-
ers, the damming of streams. the regu-
lation of federal courts and the ordi-
nance of the District of Columbia.
Several amendments have been
been made to facilitate the administra-
tion of the public land laws. The al
lotment in seyeralty of lands owned
collectively by Indian tribes in various
sections of the country has been pro
yided for in a number of acts.
By the terms of a joint resolution
the President is authorized to arrange
convention with Great Britain to
which the assent of Japan and Russia
are to be obtained, II possible, to pro-
tect the fur seals Of the North Pa.
cifc ocean and Bering sea.
Provision was made for the exten-
gfnn nj tho gt uien ghinnfpu 1auTs
OF the United States to the Philip
pine Islands after July /, 1906.
The only general pension legisla.
ton which became a law makes the
pension of those who totally lost their
sight in the military or naval service
500 per month. Agitation for serv-
ice pension bill resulted in the intro
duction of many such bills. 1t was
decided, however. THAI no such action
should be taken at the present session
after which the general order making
age an evidence Of physical disability
TO perform manual labor was issued by
the secretary OF the interior and rec
ognized by Congress in deficiency
appropriation OF sl,5OO,OOO to make 1t
effective.
The only direct dealings had with
the postal scandals was the inyestlga.
tion by the House OF the connection
OF its members with clerk hire in
creases In third and fourth class post.
Offices and representations regarding
leases. This investigation cleared ey.
cry member from any improper CON
duct in the matter.
The House. by independent action.
directed an investigation OF the al
legged beef trust by the Department
OF commerce md Labor.
The attorney general was given the
benefit OF the uneNpended appropria.
tion made by Congress for the prose
cutlon Of the trust. an amount aggre-
eating $4,000.
The creation OF two additional states
In tho Union was provided for In a
bill which passed the House but not
the Senate. Oklahoma and Indian ter
rltory were united as Oklahoma, and
Arizona and New Mexico AS Arizona.
Legislation directly affecting the Ia
hor interests Of the country received
considerable consideration In the com
mlttoes OF the two houses, but final ac-
tlon was not taken. The eight,hour
bill was referred TO the Department OF
Commerce and Labor for investigation
and report, and the nntl.lnjuncti0n bill
was postponed By the committees un.
III the next session. The right Of Sen.
ator Reed Smoot of Utah TO his seat
In the Senate resulted In an inycstiga
tion. Etlll In progress, involving tho
Mormon religion and practices.
an tho House there were l5.s9s bills
3is resolutions, i52 Joint resolutions,
and siNty,One concurrent resolutions
introduced. OF these 1883 passed tho
] a.. IN. Genet. thor. s,.Vs