The Topeka state journal., 1906-06-30
Much Important Legislation
Has Been Enacted.
NEARLY 900 MILLIONS.
Appropriations Are Heaviest
Since the War Year.
Public Buildings Secure a Total
OF $25, 100000.

Washington, June s0.-The first ses-
sion of the hfty-ninth congress goes
into history today. It has been a
strenuous session from start to finish.
The measure which caused the great
est debate is the railway rate bill. Be
gan with the session. its consideration
continued throughout
The pure food enactment RzIa the
meat inspection provision a1s Also inn
portant changes IN the federal attitude
towards both the producers and con-
sumer OF the country.
A uniform and more strict method
Of natuEalizing aliens was enacted. The
immunity OF witnesses from prosecu-
ton. who COVE testimony before gov
ernment tribunals. was made the sub
ieot Of an enactment which clearly
states when such immunity obtains
and when otherwise.
A bill removing the internal revenue
tax on denatured alcohol also was
passed.
The type OF the Panama canal was
nEad. thus settling a question which
hes perplexed both the professional
and lay mind The president is to
build lock level canal and was given
q total Of e39, 10000 for the year for
that purpose. It was required that
material for the canal should be of
American manufacture unless the
president shall ind the price excessive,
in which case he Is given authority to
buy abroad.
Inc consular service was given a
complete new legal status which Will
permit OF an entire reorganization.
Appropriations Are Heavy.
When the appropriations for the ses-
sion are t0talled It will be found that
their agRrsgate has reached nearly 9OO
dollars This a ElTTrf1
than has been made available since the
war congress OF 1898. OF this amount
$4,000. 600 Will go into new public build
iags in various sections of the country.
The legislation on appropriation bills
has the characteristic throughout Of be-
ing restrictive upon the government de-
partment heads In the matter OF max
ing 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 sappropria-
tious. The naval increase which has
been going on annually received some
what a set back. THE largest battleship
afoat'' was authorized but congress re-
quired before bids for It's construction
could be submitted the plans must be
sent to congress at its next session.
The annual appropriation for the state
militia was doubled ant hereafter 50, =
100000 viii be spent from the federal
treasury for the purpose Of keeping the
the regular army.
Congress gave great care to the draft
Of g bill intended to preserve the scenic
befuty OF Niagara Falls and the meas
ure was passed.
The tariff to be collected by the
Philippine govern nenf on goods enter
ing the island trade was revised.
A measure OF importance to railroad
and other employees engaged in hazard
Gus employments, known as the en-
pioyers liability bill became law.
The government will participate in
the jamestown tercentenndal exposi-
tion and $1,32B.OOO was authorized ex-
pended out Of the federal treasury for
that event
Speedy appropriations for the San
Francisco sufferers resulted from re-
quests by the president, two and a
half million being donated directly and
supplies from the stores of the govern
rnent nearly equalled that amount.
Private pension legislation for the
benefit Of the old soldier who is unable
TO receive a pension under the statute
laws kept up its usual heavy pace.