The National tribune., 1906-07-05
A GREAT SESSION.

n
Undoubtedly the session which has
just ended has been one of the very
greatest in the history of the Congress
Of the United States. 1t has had meas
than any since the close of the war; and
no matter what criticisms may have
been made or may be made in the fu-
ture, the work that it has done has
been of the highest grade and is un-
doubtedly of epoch-making character.
The debates have been equal to any
thing ever heard in either House and
characterized by an elevation which
raised them above partisan lines and
looked only to the greatest good of the
greatest number. While there was
much that we might have wished other
real good accomplished which must
have decided effect upon the progress
of the country. We can cordially
agree with the following compliment
paid to the session by the President of
the United States: a...
'Tn the session that has just closed
the Congress has done more substantive
work for good than any Congress has
done at any session since I became ia
miliar with public affairs.
1.-THE legislation has been along the
lines of real constructive craftsmanship
of the most practical and efficient type,
and bill after bill has been enacted into
law which was of an Importance so
great that it is fair to say that the en-
A!,A al
would have made the session memoir
able; such. for instance. as the railroad
rate bill. the meat-inspection measure,
the pure-fOod bill, the bill for free al
cOhol in the arts, the Consular reform
bill. Panama Canal legislation, the joint
Statehood bill. and the naturalization
bill.
81 certainly have no disposition to
blink what there is of evil in our social.
industrial, or political life of today, but
it seems to me that the men of gen.
uine patriotism who genuinely wish well
to their country have the right to feel
profound satisfaction in the entire
course of this Congress. / would not
be afraid to compare its record with
that of any previous Congress in our
history, not alone for the wisdom. but
for the disinterested -mindedness
which has controlled its action.
"It is noteworthy that not a single
measure which the closest scrutiny
could warrant us in calling of doubtful
propriety has been enacted; and. on
the other hand. no influence of any
kind has availed to prevent the enact
ment of the laws most vitality necessary
to the Nation at this time"
Speaker Cannon's tribute is equally
valuable as coming from the most
practical and conservative statesman in
America today. Mr.. Cannon says:
'In my judgment, the work done and
the legislation enacted in the session
the best interests of all the people of
the Republic, the work of any session
during my 80 years of public life.
81 have not time to make a complete
review of all the legislation. Suffice ii
to say that the legislation covering APP
propriations and authorize ton of pub
lie expenditures has been most care
fully considered and wisely enacted.
''The legislation commonly. referred
to as the rate legislation, the pure-food
bill. the inspection feature of the Agri-
cultural bill, are all measures that af-
feet the interests of all the people, and
while nothing perfect can be enacted,
am satisfied that the operation of these
laws will demonstrate their wisdom.
And | believe If nothing else had
been accomplished than the enactment
of these three measures. they alone
would be sufficient to make the first
session of the 59th Congress memoir
able one in the history of the Republic"