The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1906-07-06


for the increase of the navy,
A bill was passed defining hazing
and providing for the punishment Of
midshipmen guilty of the ofense.
General legislation during this ses-
sion included an act prohibiting in
terstate commerce In spurious or
falsely stamped articles made of gold
or silver alloy, an act providing for
the marking of the graves of confed-
crate soldiers and sailors and an act
providing for the disposition of the
five civilized tribes of Indians.
The principal legislation affecting
the Philippines Vas an act postpon-
ing the operation Of the coastwiss
laws until April II, 1909; another re-
vIsing the Philippines tariff, and a
third authorizing the purchase of coal
claims by the secretary Of var
An important measure to cattle IN
terests is that changing the 2S-hour
law so that cattle may be kept in cars
Sc hours without unloading.
immigration Bill Fails.
Among the important measures that
have failed the immigration bill de-
mands first consideration. 1t failed
because a conference committee was
not appointed to settle the disagree
ment between the two houses, After
a spirited fight in the house, in which
Speaker Cannon participated, the i'm
migration bill, originally a senate
measure, was passed, with a substitute
for the educational test" which re-
qulred immigrants to possess the abil-
ity to read English or some other lam
guage. The house substituted a sec
ton providing for a commission to in
yestigate the subject of immigration.
The bill will command attention when
congress reconvenes in the fall.
The bill to prevent contributions by
corporations to campaign funds was
started in the house. 1t was forced
through the senate by the indefatig-
able efforts of Senator Tillman. The
house leaders refused to let 1t come
up there, although it is understood
action will be permitted at the next
session. The Democrats charge that
the Republicans want to lay 1t YER
until after the congressional elections.
in order to get II more chance at the
corporation barrel.
The Philippine tariff bill is still an
other notable failure. 1t was one OF
the features of the original adminis~
ton Programme WAS whipped through
the house after a celebrated fight with
the insurgents, and eventually iaHdei
in the seclusiOn of a senate commit
tee-room. 1t has been allowed to be
forgotten for the present,
The immunity bill, designed to pre-
vent the recurrence Of tlascos such az
attended the prosecution of the Chi
Cago beef cases, passed the house and
In amended form was reported favor
ably from the senate committee on jul
dietary. Ever since then efforts to get
1t up have failed owing to the objec-
ton OF some senator or other.
1t has been a hard session for treat
les. The Santo Domingo convention,
much desired by the administration,
has been kept down by the hostile mi
nority in the senate. No action has
been taken either on the Isle Of Pines
or Algeciras treaties.
Fate of Labor Bills.
Bills, most of which were demanded
by tife Traders of organized labor, have
met their fate as follows:
l. The anti-injunction bill-dead in
the judiciary committee.
2. The eight-hour bill, reported from
The committee on labor, but not acted
lpOn.
3. The election Of senators in con-
by direct vote of the people
lead in committee.
4, The publicity Of campaign ex~
Denses bill, recently reported to the
house, but not acted upon.
s. The letter carriers bill-dead In
committee.
6. The bill to regulate the hours Of
trainmen-dead in committee.
Z. The bill for the relief of the Slo-
,um survivors-dead in committee.
s. The bill to prevent convict,made
goods from competing with the goods
manufactured by honest labor--dead in
committee.
Outside the line of actual legislation,
he present session will be historic
through having authorized the investi-
that has led to the railroad-coal
exposures. Another resolution adopted
~ the senate will cause an investiga-
ion Of the alleged grain trust and
ailroad-elevator combine In the west,
hat promises to be equally If not
nore sensational.
What Congress Has Spent.
The following is given as practically
accurate statement Of the disburse-
nents authorized from the public
reasury:
uhuTy civil VS., BD 600
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