Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1904-05-04
WHAT CONGRESS DID.
LONG SESSION DESPITE EARLY
ADJOURNMENT.
Cuba and Panama Treaties Ratified
Economy Was Practiced Total Appro-
priations Are $751;, 574, e27 90 -Ex-
pected Surplus s35,ooo.ooo.

Two legislative acts stand out as the
principal accomplishment of the two ses-
sions of the Fifty eighth Congress. The
reciprocity treaty with Cuba was chang
ed to bill having its origin in the House
because one of its provisions touched the
matter Of revenue, and therefore il was
held that under the constitution the Rep
resentatives should take the iniatitiye.
The pledge Of the United States to Cuba
was fulfilled by means OF this bill The
House passed the measure during the ex-
traordinary session and sent 1t to the
Senate. where it was debated and passed
early in the second session.
The treaty with Panama was the sec
ond of the chief legislative labors of
Congress. The Senate ratified tie treaty
without amendment, though while it was
under discussion il gave rise to yirulent
attack and debate on the part OF the
Democrats, who declared the President
had exceeded his authority in the recog-
milton of the republic OF Panama.
The Senate ratified the Chinese com
mereial treaty, by means of which the
United States secured two open ports in
Manchuria. Congress also undertook leg
islation for the government of the Pan
ANA canal zone, subject which led to
many differences between House and
Senate
There was marked conservatism
throughout the session in the matter of
supply bills. They were handled quick
~ and with the economy which often
marks the methods of Congress prior to
a presidential campaign. All told, the
money appropriated for government uses
amounted to nearly S70o,00o0o0. The
revenues OF the government are estimat-
ed at $T04 100000.
Appropriations Are $751;, ST. .629. 90.
Chairman Hemenway of the House
committee on appropriations on the clos
ing day issued statement showing the
appropriations made by Congress at this
session amount to $TS1,5T4, 629.99 This
amount includes S26,S01 .S43.93 appropri-
ated for deficiencies and So, SEQ, 900 sub
mitted under the estimates of permanent
appropriations for application out OF sur
plus revenues to the sinking fund. The
whole sum Of apparent appropriation is,
therefore. S69S, PIP. TSG06. The estimat-
ed revenue for the fiscal year 1908 is
S704.472, 06072 an xtess over expeiidi-
lures of S. 1919, 274.66.
1t is further estimated that the usual
growth of revenue and the usual .expen-
ditures of the government, which aver
age ) per cent less than the estimates,
win further increase this surplus TO at
least $50, 100000. The expenditure per
capita in the United States is shown to
be $T9T. the lowest of any of the great
powers by wide margin. The appropri-
atoms in the aggregate this session are
more than $20,000,000 less than last ses-
sion.
Estimates Were Cut.
Heads Of the various government de-
partments sent in estimates Of tbeir
needs, and these estimates exceeded the
estimated revenues by about $40 100000
The figures will show what Congress did
in the way Of cutting down the estimates
as presented. No general measure carry
ing provisions for new public buildings
was allowed to pass. Ordinarily an ON
nibus bill is put through which provides
for postofFicss and other government
buildings in towns all over the country
which have congressional inference
enough 70 get what they ask The ma
jority refused likewise to consider any
river and harbor bill which had Tor its
tDJtAA new VITA anu illS Va
large sums Of money.
There was agitat ton for service pen
sion bin for war veterans involving the
expenditure of a huge sum. Congress,
however, refused to consider it at this
session, and the nearest approach to rec
ognition Of the one fact Of service as be-
ing sufficient for a pension was in allow
ing an appropriation of 81 500 coo for the
payment Of pensions to men who came
under the provision of the general or
der of the Seeretar. of the Inter.Jr, which
made age van evidence of physical dis
ability to perform manual labor. This
age pension order was provocative Of
Democratic assaults, but the Republicans
succeeded in showing to the discontinue
of their enemies that a like recognition
OF age disability and a like order were
made hy the Secretary of the Interior
under tile administration of Crow Cleve-
land
The postal frauds occupied the atten-
tion of Gong -ess and the 0Yerstreet re-
port, which seemed to implicate represent
tGthes ir. pernicioHs activity on behalf OF
their district postmasters. caused q row.
An investigation ordered by the House
cleared every member of the suspicion
OF improper conduct.
4 resolution introduced by Representa-
tive Martin Of South Dakota resulted in
an order for the investigation of the al
| legged beef trust by the Department Of
Commerce and Labor.
In the House impeachment proceed
ings against Federal Judge Swayre OF
the northern district of Florida were be-
gun, but the matter finally went back to
committee and will DC taken Up again at
/ the next session.
The House passed a bill admitting
| Oklahoma and Indian territory as one
| State and Arizona and New Mexico rs
another. hut tie Senate took no action
| ON tire matter.
As far as the labor world is concern
ed the eight-hour bin was shanted by the
1 House to the Department of Commerce
| and Labor for an investigation and the
anti-hljunction hill Introduced by Repre-.
| sentative Grosyenor was put over to the
next session.
The right of Reed Smoot, Senator from
| Utah. 10 a seat in the United States
| Senate is still under investigation
The report of the naval board which
81 Ne a preference to Lake Bluff, III. as
/ the site for the great lakes naval training
| station was thrown out and there was
substituted in the naval appropriation
bill an amendment providing for board
10 select site. The amendment carries
with IL an appropriation of S250.o0a to
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