Decorah public opinion. (Decorah, Winneshiek County [Iowa]) 1895-1928, 1906-07-04
THE FIFTY.NINTH CONGRESS-.

The first session of the Fifty ninth
congress went into history Saturday.
1t has been strenuous session from
start to finish. The measure which
caused the greatest debate is the rail-
road rate bill. Begun with the session,
its consideration continued through
out. The pure food enactment and
meat inspection provisions are also
important changes in the federal
attitude towards both the producer and
consumer Of the country. Uniform
and more strict methods of naturaliz-
ing aliens was eacted. Immunity to
witnesses from prosecution who give
testimony before government tribunals
was made the subject of enactment
which clearly states when such i'm
munity obtains and when otherwise.
The bill removing the internal
revenue tax ON denatured alcohol was
also passed. The type of Panama
canal was fixed, thus settling the
question which perplexed both the
professional and lay mind. The presi-
dent, to build locked level canal,
was given to total of $50, 900, 600 per
year for that purpose. 1t was requested
that the material for the canal should
be of American manufacture unless the
president shall find the price in excess,
in n ioh ha &c, f-
to buy abroad. The consular service
was given complete new legal status
which will permit reorganization.
When the appropriations for the
session are totalled it will be found
their aggregate has reached nearly
5000, 900, 900. This is greater sum
than has been made available since the
war congress of 1893 OF this amount
$25, 900, 900 will go into new public
buildings in various sections of the
country. Legislation on appropriation
bills has been characteristic through
out of being restrictive upon the
government department heads in the
matter of making their expenditures
and in submitting their estimates to
congress. 1t has been the desire of
congress to put an end as far as
possible to deficiency appropriations.
The naval increase, which has been
going on annually. received somewhat
of setback. The largest battleship
afioat' was authorized, but congress
required that before bids for it's con-
struction could be submitted plans
must be sent to congress at its next
session. The annual appropriation for
the state militia was doubled and here
after 80, 600, 600 will be spent from the
federal treasury for the purpose of
keeping the state military organization
in touch with the regular army.
Congress gave great care to the draft
of bill intended to preserve the
scenic beauty of Niagara Falls and the
measure was passed. The tariff to be
collected by the Philippine govern
ment on goods entering the island on
trade was revised. A measure of i'm
portance to railroad and other employees
engaged in hazardous employments
known as the employers liability
bill, became law.
The government will participate in
the jamestown centennial exposition
and 81, 325, 600 was authorized out of
the federal appropriations for the San
Francisco sufferers resulted from re-
quests by the president, $500, COO
being donated directly and supplies
from the stores of the government
nearly equalled that amount. Private
pension legislation for the benefit of
the old soldier who is unable to re-
ceive pension under the statute law
kept up its usual heavy pace.
Manson Democrat: The following
story of little two-year- old, teaches
that from our earliest infancy, we are
apt to take credit to ourselves for
what we do and fail to recognize the
Lords help: A baby, whose mother
had taught her that she was to pray to
the Lord for all she wished and that
her prayers would be answered, was