Gilpin observer., 1904-04-28
WORK OF CONGRESS
CUBA, PANAMA, PENSION AND
LAND LAWS AMENDED.

VIII WCTk LAY dHu INi8Ast 0Hsh "'S
to Adjourn-senate viii Clear CAL
endar Preparatory to Adjournment
This Week.
Washington, April 25.-The import
ant legislative accomplishments OF
the sessions of the fifty-eighth con-
gress were confined to two subjects
Cuba and Panam-. The reciprocity
treaty between the new island repdb-
lie and the United States, initiated
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 oceans. The
special session, now denominated the
first session, was called for the ex-
press purpose of carrying out the
pledge of the nation to Cuba. The
Panama development was one which
arose suddenly and received decisive
and immediate action at the hands of
President Roosevelt and the senate.
The conservatism incident to the
approaching presidential campaign,
as usual, was manifested by those re-
sponsible for the acts of the snational
legislative body. The annual supply
bills were made up with an eye to
economy Incidentally, they were
passed with greater dispatch than
heretofore has been the case.
The senate ratified the treaty neeo-
tiated with Cuba to carry out the
terms of the Platt amendment. 1t
also ratified the Chinese commercial
treaty, which provides for two open
ports in Manchuria.
Chairman Hemenway of the house
committee en- appropriations, in
statement compiled under his direc-
ton. gives the total of all supply bills
(subject to slight changes in pending
bills) as $597, ,S02,324, to which must
be added $S4,971,S20 for interest on
the public debt. The estimated rev.
enues are $7O4,472 ,O60. BY these fig
ures the expenses are $22, 100000 less
than the revenues. The estimates of
the various government departments
on which the appropriation bills were
based exceeded the total estimated
revenues by $42.S45.s62. No river
and harbor bill making provision for
new projects of improvement in the
rivers and harbors of the country,
was undertaken. Likewise. no omni-
new public buildings was allowed to
pass.
Pension Legislation.
The only general pension legisla-
tion which became a law makes the
pension of those who totally lost their
sight in the military or naval services
500 per month. The general order
making age an evidence of physical
disability to perform manual labor
| was issued by the secretary of the
interior and recognized by congress
in a deficiency appropriation OF ST.
500. 900 to make 1t effective.
Several amendments have been
made to facilitate the administration
CT the public land laws. The allot-
ment in severalty OF lands owned col
lectively by Indian tribes in various
sections of the country has been pro-
vided for in a number of acts.
While a total Of over 1.400 bills
became laws during the two sessions,
less than $50 of them were public"
bills, and of this latter number one
half simply authorized the bridging
OF rivers, the damming of streams,
the regulation of federal courts and
the ordinances of the District of Co.
| lumbia.
| Plan to End Session Thursday.
Long day and night sessions are the
the program in the house this week,
as the leaders plan to end the session
Thursday. Today Williams, the mi
nority leader, is to be given consider
alton OF his resolutions calling on the
attorney general. first, for informa.
tion OF any prosecution by him Of the
Interested parties in the Northern
Securities company and, second, what
has been the result OF any investiga-
tion he has made OF the coal trust.
There undoubtedly will be many re-
quests for consideration OF minor
matters by unanimous consent and
the outlook is declared by the leaders
to indicate an exceedingly busy
| wind-up.
The time OF the senate the present
week will be devoted wholly to clear
ing the calendar preparatory to ad'
journment. which most senators still
say will occur during the presen,
week. There remains only one arpro
priation bill to be passed by the sen
ate. that for the military academy
A number OF the supply bills are still
In conference. however and 1t is ex
pected there will be moro or less dis
cussion of conference reports. The
general calendar is very heavy and an
effort will be made to pass as many
| n2 fhnSa m IN cnrac nc nncrihla