New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-04-29


rying on the work.
Some question having been raised as to the
effectiveness of the existing Chinese exclusion
laws after the denunciation Of the treaty with
China of December Z 1894. has taken effect. a
brief clause has been added to the Sundry Civil
Appropriation bill providing that existing laws
this subject shall remain I'm force. regardless
of the expiration Of that treaty. Further imni-
grafton legislation provides that citizens Of
Newfoundland entering the United States shall
be exempt from the payment of the usual head
tax Of 50.
The only pension legislation enacted was
law fixing the pension OF any person who lost
the use OF both eyes in the military or naval
service of the United States at 500 month.
Assistance has been given to two expositions.
100000 having been advanced to the Louisi-
ana Purchase Exposition and S475.O0O provided
for Alaskan and government exhibits at the
Lewis and Clark Exposition. to be held at Port
land, Ore, next year.
Provision for Office building for Senators,
to be erected close to the Capitol. at cost OF
S250.O00. was made. and steps were taken to
provide suitable plans for the extension of the
east front of the national Capitol
OF special interest to New-yo1k was the pro-
vision made for the establishment of two large
postal substations. one on the Eew-York Cen
trail site and the other on the Pennsylvania
Railroad site.
BY joint resolutions Congress extended an IN
vitation to the InterparIiamentary Union for
the Promotion of International Arbitration to
hold it's session next fall in the United States,
appropriating $4,000 for the expenses OF the
conference; provided funds for bringing to the
United States 600 Porto Rican teachers to at
tend summer schools at the universities and
other institutions OF learning this year. and
united in a request to the President to open
negotiations with Great Britain for a revision
Of the Behring Sea and North Pacific Ocean
fur seal regulations. and II possible to con-
clude similar negotiations with Russia. japan
and other maritime nations
BY House resolution the Secretary Of Com
raerce and Labor was instructed to investigate
the alleged Beef Trust
MEASURES THAT FAILED.
Three important measures failed OF enact
ment. One reduced the tariff on Philippians
goods entering the United States. Another. the
Philippine Public Improvement bill. which pro-
vided for public improvements and authorized
the subsidizing Of certain Philippine railroads.
passed the House too late for action by the
Senate, but has been made the unfinished bust
ness on the calendar. and will thus have the
right OF way at the next session The third. the
Statehood bill. authorized the admission OF
=
Oklahoma and Indian Territory another. 1t
passed the House late in the session and IS
now in the Senate Committee Territories,
with every chance OF enactment at the next
session.
Many other measures which there was never
any expectation OF passing-among them the
Eight Hour BILL the Anti-Injunction bill and the
Service Pension biIl-vvere left IN COMMITTEES or
judlciously sidetracked Early IN the session
It developed that there was no possibility OF
considering currency legislation from a business
point Of view. and the desire TO make certain
changes in the financial laws which were con-
sldered expedient had to be abandoned for this
session.
The nomination Of Brigadier General Leonard
Wood to be a major general caused considerable
debate but was eventually confirmed by a large
majority
The nomination of Captain Albert L. Mills
now holding the temporary rank OF colonel, TO
be a brigadier general. was not confirmed, and
goes over until the next session. as does the
nomination of DR.. Crum. who has several times
been appointed collector OF customs at Charles
ton, s. c., and whose confirmation has been
prevented by the Democrats on the sole ground
that Crum is a negro. An energetic attempt TO
confirm Crum was made in the closing hours OF
the session. but notice from the Democrats that
ting vote resulted in the Committee on the
Order OF Business giving notice that the Crum
case would be taken up the first thing next
session. and pushed until confirmation was
reached.
THE CHARGES AGAINST MEMBERS"
One Incident OF the session which deserves
notice in passing was the tempest in a teapot"
caused by the House Committee on Postofices
nd Post Roads which beIiayfuo N
Fourth Assistant Postmaster General Bristow's
report a reflection members Of Congress. pro-
ceeded TO call for documentary evidence. The
documents when received and made public so
irritated the members OF the House as to cause
them to create the so-called Mccall commit
tee to investigate the relations OF members Of
Congress with the Postofflcs Department This
committee found no serious improperly IN the
conduct Of men then members of the House. but
recommended greater formality and discretion
on the part of members in their dealings with
the executive departments.
one of the most sensational occurrences OF the
session was the indictment Of Senator Burton,
of Kansas. for accepting fees for practising be-
fore the government while occupying seat IN
the Senate. The Senate has taken no action IN
the Burton case, pending the final decision of
the Court OF Appeals. which is expected next
September. If that court confirms the decision
Of the lower court Burton will doubtless be ex-
PEELED from the Senate unless he Immediately
resigns.
The House had miniature sensation in the
proposed impeachment of Judge Charles Swayne
of the Northern District of Florida but the
Judiciary Committee. which reported IN favor OF
impeachment. badly divided on the subject
that the House referred the report back TO It's
committee. instructing it to make a further in
vestigation and report next session