The Irish standard., 1905-03-04
WORK DONE BY
SHORT SESSION
OVER 100 LAWS AFFECTING PUB
Lie ENACTED BY CONGRESS
SINCE DECEMBER.
APPROPRIATION BILLS
ALMOST ALL THROUGH
Oil Trust Investigation Is Started by
Lawmakers - House Passes Rail-
road Rate Bill-Statehood Meas
ures Still in Conference.


tive activity of the Fifty-eighth con-
gress during it's short session just clos
ing may be estimated by the fact that
over 100 laws affecting the general pub
lie have been enacted, and over 1000
private acts passed. The private acts
consist largely of pensions granted,
while few relief measures and removal
Of charges of desertion make up the re-
mainder. The regular appropriation
bills all are progressing to completion,
and some of them have already received
the signature of President Roosevelt.
Many Treaties Passed.
The senate has amended and ratified
arbitration treaties with seven Euro
pean powers and 16 American republics.
1t also has sat as court and acquitted
Charles Swayne, judge Of the district
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 presi-
dent and vice president was canvassed
and the official announcement made of
the election of Roosevelt and Fairbanks.
A revision Of the Philippine tariff has
progressed nearly to completion with
out indication Of defeat, and an act has
been signed intended to develop the re-
sources of those islands by guaranteeing
interest on capital invested in railroad
building and authorizing the issuance
of bonds for municipal improvements,
schools and roads. The laws for Alas
ka have been codified, an additional dis
trict judge authorized and the revenues
from the liquor traffic in that territory
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 and regulations for
the construction of the canal have been
passed by both houses, but differences
remain to be adjusted in conferences.
Two new battleships were provided
for by congress in the naval appropria-
ton bill. The trademark laws have
been revised and an international copy
right act passed. Jurisdiction of the
forest reserves has been transferred
from the interior to the agricultural de-
partment. Authority to make arrests
in forest reserves has been granted en-
ployes, as measure Of further protec-
ton. President Roosevelt has been au-
thorized to set apart portion Of the
Wichita forest reserve as breeding
place for game animals and birds.
To Probe Oil Trust.
BY resolution of the house the depart
ment Of commerce and labor has begun
an Investigation of the oil trust OBJ
scene matter has been prohibited i'm
portation and transit as interstate COM
merce. AS further aid in the enforce
ment of the immigration laws, steam
ships entering United States ports are
required to furnish complete passenger
lists.
Captured confederate battle flags in
the possession of the war department
were ordered returned to the proper au-
thorities of the state in which the regi-
ment carrying the colors was organized.
The American National Red Cross So
ciety was incorporated, as we're the trus-
tees of the grand encampment of
Knights Templar of the United States.
Statehood bills have passed both houses
and are in conference. Both measures
, contain provision for the admission of
Oklahoma and the Indian territory as
one state.
Railroad Legislation.
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
during the recess. A halt has been
called in the extravaganza with which
public documents have been printed,
The president was authorized to grant
medals Of 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 was ceded a
strip of land from the Indian territory.
A portion of the Round Valley Indian
reservation in California was opened to
| settlement. Settlers in the Rosebud
reservation were given additional time
to establish citizenship. The unallotted
lands of the Yakima reservation in
Washington were ordered disposed Of
Twenty-eight of the public acts are au-
thorities to build bridges or dam navi-
gable streams; % related to the District
Of Columbia and four to the judiciary.
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