Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1905-03-14
alistsllaneuas 8eadias.
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.

THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
Results Of Last Session Reviswed by
Leaders.
The last session Of the Fifty-eighth
congress, which began Dec. 3, has not
been productive of much general legis-
lation, says a Washington special dis
patch to the New York World.
About the things which congress did
at its last session and the things
which 1t did not do no men are more
competent to speak than the floor
leaders. Republican and Democratic,
Of the house Of representatives, Serene
E. Payne Of New York and John Sharp
Williams Of Mississippi. They prepar-
ed the following statement just before
the adjournment Of congress.
Representative Serene E. Payne,
chairman of the ways and means COM
mittee, Republican floor leader, said:
I'm reviewing the work of the Fifty
eighth congress It will be necessary to
bear In mind that this congress came
In when the Republican party had been
in power in both branches for six
years. 1t had already legislated upon
every great subject then agitated, such
as the tariff, the isthmian canal and
our island possessions.
"This congress, therefore. practically
confined itself to the enactment Of 5u-
dicious amendments to that legislation
and to the perfection Of 1t. For exam
pie, 1t perfected the civil government
scheme for the Philippines, revised the
tariff and the revenue laws Of the Is
land, perfected civil government for
Porto Rico and made effective reci-
procity with Cuba.
1T has strengthened the laws deal
ing with great corporations. 1t is to
be regretted that the statehood bill
and the railroad rate bill cannot be
completed at the present session; also
the bill from the ways and means
committee cutting down the tariff on
sugar and tobacco from the Philip
pines.
"The subject matter Of these bills
has been pretty we'll digested, and
congress will be prepared to take them
up at the beginning Of the next ses-
sion, with the prospect that legislation
will result. This session Of congress
has been occupied largely with appro-
priation bills, with a view to economy.
so that the appropriations will not ex-
ceed the revenue. I believe that re-
suit has been accomplished. The rev.
enues have been decreased because Of
the repeal of the war tax acts amount
ing to 100000, 900 annually. They have
also been reduced this calendar year
on account of the reciprocity with Gu
ba. But this is a growing county. Ex'
penses naturally increase. as do reve-
nues It would seem that wise econo-
my will avoid deficiencies and the oc-
casion for any increase in taxation"
Representative John Sharp Williams
of Mississippi, Democratic floor lead
er, said:
's4eCongress at this session has done
nothing but pass the appropriation
bills. 1t is true the house passed
railroad rate bill, with twice as many
Republican recalcitrants as Democrat
ic ones. That Is virtually all. Even
the rate making bill, In section IA, Of
fers two or three opportunities for end
less litigation, which makes 1t far less
useful than 1t might be-.
Congress should have revised the
tariff, especially the steel schedule,
such as structural steel and agricul-
tural Implements. 1t ought to have
passed some legislation to curb the
trusts more thoroughly, for 1t has been
shown that even when we win a law
suit against them and even bring to
bear the machinery Of the injunction,
as was the case In the beef trust, the
trust continues to do that which 1t
has marked out and pays no attention
whatever to the government.
1T should have admitted the new
states and should have kept faith at
any rate with Arizona by not attempt
ing to put her In with New Mexico
over the protest Of the people Of both
territories. Even II congress could
not agree on that it ought to have ad-
mitted Oklahoma and Indian Territory
either as one state or as two.
Congress has made no progress In
line with the boasted presidential pol
icy of making easier opportunities for
arbitration in case of quarrels with
foreign nations. But 1t increased the
war expenditures under the pretext OF
being prepared for some war which
nobody expects, although holding In
allegiance needed appropriations for
improvements.
THE truth Is the Republican party
has ceased to be a party Of progress
and affirmation and Is doing Its best
to remain, notwithstanding the res
tiveness Of the president. dancing on
the same spot without going forward
or sideways except In one respect. 1t
has progressed away from the Monroe
doctrine toward the new and startling
Roosevelt doctrine peculiarly illustrat-
ed in the recent executive dealings
with Santo Domingo.
Whether the senate will follow the
president and make public declaration
to the world that our army and navy
are international constables for the
collection Of debts due American and
European speculators In the tropics