The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1904-04-25
CONGRESS- WORK.
Important Accomplishments
Concern Cuba and Panama.
Total Appropriations in Excess
OF 600 Millions.
WILL BE 4 SURPLUS.
Revenue Will Be % Millions
More Than Expenses.
More Than 400 Bills Enacted
Into Law.
WILL BE A SURPLUS.

Washington, April 25.-The important
legislative accomplishments Of the ses-
sions of the Flfty-eighth congress were
confined to two subjects-Cuba and
Panama. The reciprocity treaty be-
tween the new island republic and the
United States. initiated by President
Mckinley. was made operative by leg
tslative enactment. The ratification Of
q treaty by the senate and the subse-
quent initiation of legislation for tie
government for the canal zone commit
the United States to the construction
of the Panama 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 Pa
mama 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 ap-
preaching presidential campaign, as
usual, was manifested by those respO l.
si5le for the acts of the national legs
latiVe body The annual supply bills
were made up with an eye to economy.
incidentally, they We're passed with
greater dispatch than heretofore has
been the case with d long session.
j ne senate laliueQ the treaty negu-
tiated with Cuba TO carry out the terms
of the Plat amendment. II also rali-
ned the Chinese commercial treaty,
which provides for two open ports III
Manchuria
Chairman HemenWay. of the house
committee on appropriations. in a
Statement compiled under his direc-
tion, gives the total of all supply bills
(subject to slight changes in pending
bills) as S597 500 224 to which must be
rrle M 10
public debt The estimated revenues
are $704 472 060. BY these figures the
expenses are 500, 000 600 less than the
revenues The estimates of the var
1ous government departments on (which
the appropriation bills We're based ex-
ceeded the total estimated revenues by
SA2.S45,S62. No river and harbor bill
making provision for new projects OF
Improvement in the rivers and har-
bors Of the country. was underta ken
Likewise, no omnibus measure carry
ing provision for new public buildings
was allowed to pass
While a total of over 1.400 bills be
came laws during the two sessions
less than $50 OF them We're publish
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 or
dinances of the District of Columbia
Several amendments have been made
TO facilitate the administration of the
PUBIC land laws The allotment in
SeNeralty of lands owned collectively
by Indian tribes in various sections of
the country has been provided for in
a number OF acts. A step in the direc-
tiOn of world peace has been taken
through the formation of an American
group affiliated with the interparlia-
mentary union for international arbi-
tration and the official recognition of
this group by the passage of d joint
resolution extending an invitation to
the union to hold its next annual meet
ing at ST. Louis and appropriating
$50, 600 for the expenses of the same.
a joint resolution was enacted provid-
ing for the transportation aboard q
government vessel of not exceeding
600 Of the public school teachers of
Porto Rico to the United States during
the coming summer for the purpose of
broadening their views by travel and a
course in the summer schools for teach
ers in this country
BY the terms Of a joint resolution