The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-07-03
THE LATE SESSION OF CONGRESS

HE LA1E SESSION OF CONGItESS
The first session Of the f%ifty-nInth
congress came 10 an end yesterday. 10
many respects it has been a remark
able session. An unusual amount of
work was done. More than the ordi-
nary number Of important bills were
passed. The influence IF the minority
was felt to an unusual extent in 10th
houses, especially in the senate.
There is probability that much good
will come to the country through some
of the laws enacted. The pure food
bill, the railway rate bill and the meat
inspection clauses in the agricultural
bill were important additions to the
laws of the land, and unless they have
been too loosely drafted and scheminc-
~ amended by their opponents, they
will be Of great benefit to the people.
Also with the passage Of the bill
providing for the building Of Il lock
canal across the iSthmus OF Panama
can be marked the real beginning of
that work. All former action by con-
gress might be counted rs somewhat
definitely marked out and the way
made clear. There is nothing 10 DO
now but for congress from time to
time to provide the necessary funds
and for the executive department. 10
push the work of construction. While
the completion of the canal may not
occur in the next ten years it may De
said to be in sight. In other words,
the "stumps and runners have been
road ahead.
There were other matters brought to
a successful conclusion which will af-
feet the welfare of the country, such
as the Erie and Ohio canal and the
immigration bill, one of general and
the other of large local importance.
Il Of the most remarkable occur.
rences of the session was the sudden
springing into the front rank of the
senate OF Il member of the minority.
brought about by the attempt at a
coup by a brother senator of the ma
Jority side. whereby the former, to the
surprise of the whole nation, spranc
into Il position which made him the
Of the American public AMI
gave him an opportunity % demon
Strate characteristics and abilities not
before known to be possessed by him.
Only Senator Tillman's bitterest me
mics and most persistent d~etractors
will deny that he has become the lead
ing figure among the brilliant and
men who compose the senate
II the tfty-ninth cOngress-and there
are some big mer in that body.
Another prominent feature of this
session was the antagOnism which de-
'eloped between the president and Il
action in congress composed of men
his own party. On more than one
occasion this threatened serious results
o the party in power. At one time
here seemed TO be Il determination tC
]ulld up strong opposition to the pres
dent among members of his own party
n congress. This became so prOnunc-
ID that on several occasions tho demo-
minority held the balance of
power between the followers ana the
opponents Of the president in congress
it looked as if the history Of Cleve-
and's second administration and OF
was about to repeat itself. But
hese differences were healed-on the
at leaSt-and at the close o!
the session affairs in the party IN
We're apparently moving
;moothIy.
Not for many years have there Teen
o many sensational episodes crowded
ntO a session Of congress of the same
us the one just closed. 1t has
'een 4 session of vigorous acton.
trenuOus legislative and political
.urrences. No doubt, the country well
the relief of adjournment as
as do the senators and repre-
'e%ntatives who have been the chief
.ctOlS in the past seven months of
strenuous legislature and political
work..