The Monticellonian., 1906-07-05

i pended on sea level project. A ma jority of the senate committee report ed in favor of a sea level canal, but after a vigorous debate the presidents recommendation in favor of lock type was approved by a vote of S6 to 31.
 A joint resolution was passed by congress requiring the purchase of supplies and materials for the canal in the American market unless the presi- dent shall determine that the bids of domestic producers are extortionate or unreasonable.
 Congress appropriated SIP. .500,0 900 for continuing work on the canal, | s16,500, GOO being deficiency appropria- lions and $26.o00. 900 being for work during the fiscal year 1907 In addi- ton to these appropriations steps are being taken to issue the canal bonds authorized by the Spooner act which may be issued from time to time" to the extent of s130, 900 000 During the present session congress provided that these bonds should haze the rights and privileges of other two per cent bonds of the United States and the tax of one-fourth of one per cent. imposed upon bonds deposited to se cure national bank circulation was i'm posed upon the canal bonds when used for such security. It was also pro vided that the deficiency appropriation should be returned to the treasury from the proceeds of the sale of the canal bonds
 Statehood Issue Settled.
 The admission of Oklahoma and h. dian territory as a single state was accomplished by the act approved June IS. The act also admits Arizona and New Mexico into the union as a single state, provided that majority in each of the territories shall vote for joint statehood and not other wise" This bill was the subject of bitter contention. as it had been in former sessions. It passed the house in the form of a bill admitting the four territories as two states The senate amended the bill by eliminat- ing all provisions relating to Arizona and New Mexico. In conference the | ritores as a state was agreed upon, and after vigorous debate in both houses the conference report was | agreed to.
 After several years of effort on tie part of the state department congress at this session passed an act reorgan- izing the consular service The con suls general and consuls are grouped by classes, and provision is made for an inspection service consisting of five eonsuls general at large, with a sal ary of s5,000 each. No officer. in the consular service receiving more than sl,000 is permitted to engage in busi- ness or practice law. All fees are to be turned into the treasury. Origin ally the bill prvided that the higher offices should be filled by promotion only, but this provision was elimin- ated and the promotion system has been established by the state depart ment without further enactment
 Boon in Alcohol Bill.
 A most important piece of legisla- tion is the removal of the tax upon denatured alcohol. It was strongly opposed by manufacturers of kerosene and gasoline In the debate it was alleged that. with the tax removed, alcohol could be manufactured and sold cheaper than either kerosene or gasoline and that it would enter into universal use for Illuminating, motive power and otherwise
 A national quarantine law provd- ing for uniformity of administration and giving the federal government power to establish quarantines in port cities and supersede the local and state authorities, has been passed.
 An employers liability bill, to meet the demands of the tralnmen of the United States, has been placed upon the statute books after years of effort
 Congress has had difficulty with the executive departments through the expenditure of money and the incur ling of obligations in excess of ap- proprations for many years Several amendments to appropriation bills were made during this session de signed to correct this abuse Here after the heads of executive depart ! lieHtS die required to appOrtlOn ap- populations made for their depart ments in order to avoid deficiencies, and deficiency appropriations will be made only to cover unforeseen emer- gencies. Congress also put it's foot down upon the disbursement of money collected by any department and not turned into the treasury
 All money received hereafter must be turned into the treasury, and no disbursements may be made except in accordance with appropriations of congress. Detailed estimates of all appropriations are required from all departments. It also is provided that 10 clerk shall be transferred to an other department at a higher salary Nntil he has performed three years i service in his first position
 Greater Aid for Militia. Among the acts affecting the mili- 1 tary establishment were those in- creasing the efficiency of the ordnance department of the army and increas- ing the appropriation for the militia from s1,o00, 900 to s2 ,000, 900 annually.
 Congress took new tack in the naval appropriation bill Instead of authorizing the construction of the biggest battleship afioat, as first pro