Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1905-03-02
SHORT SESSION
In Which Congress Has
Been Very Busy.
Over 100 Laws and 1000
Private fcts Passed.
Arbitration Treaties Ratified; Philip
pine Tariff Bill Passed.

washington. March 1.-The legiSla-
i've activity of the 18Th Congress dur
ing its short session just closing may
De estimated by the fact that over 100
laws affecting the general public have
peeh enacted and over 1000 private
acts passed. The private acts consist
largely of pensions granted. while Il
lew relief measures and removal of
charges of desertiOn make up the re-
ma in,ier.
The regular appropriation bills are
all progressing to completion and some
of them have already received the sig
nature of President Roosevelt.
The Senate has amended and ratified
arbitration treaties with seven euro
| bean powers and 10 American repub-
Hes. IL also has sat as u court and ;.c-
Quilted Charles Swayne. judge of the
district court OF the northern district
of Florida On articles of impeachment
vo'ed by the House.
In joint session of the two Houses
| the electoral vote fer President and
Vice President was c:tnvassed and the
official announcement made of the eiec-
ticn of Roosevelt and Fairbanks
vi tiiN TAI
has progressed almost to complei ion
| and an act ha, been signed intended to
develop the resources of these islands
by guaranteeing interest on the capital
invested in railroad building and az
thoriZing the issuance Of bonds for mu-
niripal Improvement. schools and
reads.
The laws for Alaska have been cod
ii,ed. an additional district judge :u-
thOrZed and the revenue in 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 Tor
the canal has passed both Houses. hut
difficulties remain tn be adjusted in
conferences.
Two new battleshipS are provided for
by Congress in the naval appropriation
bill.
The trade mark laws have been re-
vsed and an international copyright
act passed. Jurisdiction OF the forest
reserves has been transferred from the
interior to the agricultural department.
Authority to make arrests i'm forest re-
serves has been granted employees. as Il
measure OF further protection. Pres
ident Roosevelt has authorized to set
apart n portion of Wichita forest re-
serve AS Il breeding place for game an
imalS and birds.
I:y resolution of the House the de
nartment of commerce and labor has
begun an investigation of the oil trust.
Obscene matter has been prohibited
i,nportation and transit as interstate
cOminerce. AS Il further aid in the en-
forcement Of the immigration laws
steamships entering United States
ports are required 10 furnish complete
passenger lists.
Captured Confederate battle flags in
the war department were ordered to be
returned to the proper authorities in
the state where the regiment carrying
the cOlorS were organized.
The American Red Cross Society was
Incorporated as was the trustees of
the Grand F.ncampment of Knights
1emplar of the United States.
statehood bills have passed both
Houses and are in conferences. Both
measures contain provisions for the
admission OF oklahoma and Indian ter
ri'ory as one state.
The foundation for railroad legisla-
ton has been founded by the passage
of "A bill in the House after many hear
ingS. but the beginning of an inquiry
by the Senate which is to be conducted
during the recess.
\ halt has been called in the extrav-
agance with which public documents
have been printed.
The President was authorized to
grant medals for heroism i'm the saving
of life in train wrecks.
The extradition laws We're extended
&c the Philippines.
The state Of Arkansas was coded
strjp of land from the Indian territory.
A norton 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 was Or
dered disposed Of
Twentv-eight of the public acts are
authorities TO build bridges or dam
n,v;pable streams. 90 relate to the Dis
tr;ct of Columbia and four to the judi
ciary.