Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-03-01
WORK OF CONGRESS
Legislative Activity of the
Short Session.
A HUNDRED NEW LAWS
OVER A. THOUSAND PRIVATE
ACTS HAVE BEEN PASSED.
Provision for the Government Of the
Canal Zone-Alaskan Laws Codi-
fled-Philippine Tariff Revised.

The legislative activity of the Fifty
eighth Congress during the session just clos
ing may be estimated by the fact that over
one hundred laws affecting the general pub
lie have been enacted and over one thou
sand private acts passed The private acts
consist largely of pensions granted, while a
few relief measures and removal of charges
of desertion make up the remainder.
The regular appropriation bills all are
progressing to completion, and some of
them have already received the signature
of President Roosevelt.
The Senate has sat court and ac-
quilted Charles Swayne, judge of the dis
trict court for the northern district of Flor
ida, on articles of impeachment voted by
the House. In joint session of the two
houses the electoral vote for President and
Vice President was canvassed, and the OFF,
cial announcement made of the election OF
Roosevelt and Fairbanks.
A revision of the Philippine tariff has pro-
| gressed nearly to completion without indi-
| cation of defeat and an act has been
signed intended to develop the resources of
| those islands by guaranteeing interest on
CAPITAL invested in railroad building and
authorizing the issuance Of bonds for mu-
nicipai improvements, schools and roads
The laws for Alaska have been codifed. Az
additional district Judge authorized and the
revenues from the liquor traffic in that ter
| ritory diverted to the support of schools
| the building of roads and the care of the
| insane.
LEGISLATION for the government of the
Panama canal zone has passed both houses.
| but differences remain to he adjusted in
| conference.
Two new battle snips were provided for
| by Congress in the naval appropriation
bill
The trademark laws have been revised
and an International copyright act passed
Jurisdiction of the forest reserves has Deen
transferred from the Interior 10 the agr-
culture Department. Authority to make
arrests in forest reserves has been granted
to employees, as a measure of further pro-
lection. President Roosevelt has been au-
thorized to set apart portion OF the
Wichita forest reserve Is a breeding place
for game animals and birds.
BY resolution of the House the Depart
ment of Commerce and Labor has begun an
investigation of the oil trust
Obscene matter has been prohibited i'm
portation and transit as interstate CON-
merce AS a further aid in the enforcement
of the immigration laws steamships enter
ing United States ports are required TO fur
nsh complete passenger lists.
Captured confederate battle flags in the
possession of the War Department were
ordered returned to the proper authorities
of the state in which the regiment carry
ing the colors was organized. The Amer
lean National Red Cross Society was m
corporated as were the trustees of the
Encampment of knights Templar OF the
United States. Statehood bills have passed
both houses and are in conference. Both
measures contain provision for the admls-
sion of Oklahoma and the Indian territory
as state.
The foundation for railroad legislation
has been laid by the passage of a bill
through the House after exhaustive hear
ings and the beginning of an inquiry by
the Senate, which is to be conducted dur
ing recess. halt has been called in the
extravaganza with which public documents
have been printed. The President was au-
thorZed to grant medals for heroism IN the
saving of life in train wrecks.
The eXtradition laws of the United States
were extended to the Philippines. The state .
of Arkansas ceded strip of land from
the Indian territory. A portion of the Round
Valley Indian reservation in California was
opened to settlement. Settlers In the Rose
bud reservation were given additional time
to establish citizenship The unalotted
lands of the Yakima reservation in Wash
ington We're ordered disposed of.
Twenty-eight of the public acts are
authorities to build bridges or dam nayi-
gable streams; twenty-three relate to the
District of Columbia, and four to the
judiciary.
Mr.. German moved to strike out the
House provision making an appropriation
of S172O00 for underground mail transpor-
tation in Chicago. He said that appro-
priation of 100000 for this purpose had
been made last year. and that no contract
had been made under lit. The amount was
reduced to $150000
The amendment fixing a rate Of one cent
for each two ounces of fourth-class mail
matter was ruled out on a point of order.
Mr.. McComas proposed amendment
giving preference to soldiers of the war OF
the rebellion in the matter of the transfer
Of railway clerks to the regular clerical
service.
Make it soldiers of the civil war" sug-