Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1906-12-31
Important Events That Marked
the Past Year.
REFORM THE WATCHWORD
Investigations in Insurance, Railway
Relating and Methods Of the
Packing Houses. ..-.-.

epoch in national legislation and the entry
into new fields of legislative and executive
activity. which may bear far-reaching re-
suits.
The year did not pass without note be-
| ing taken of this tendency toward paternal-
| ism and Capitalization. 1t was referred
| to In the debates in Congress and from
| time to time remonStrances were heard.
But the legislation was passed In response
| to what was believed to be public demand
The executive interference was excused on
the plea that it was to q good end and in
| behalf of the public welfare and civic
righteousness. Once. indeed. the Senate
| drew the line against executive assumption
| In case of vast importance by refusing
| to ratify the Santo Domingo treaty mainly
! because it was complained that the Execu-
| tive had gone too far before consulting
| the coordinate branch of the government.
| In case of less Importance. but still indi-
| eating the irritation of Congress at execu-
| tive self-assertion. the Congress rebuked
the attempted change of the national
| photography by executive order.
There is no question that the general yer.
| dict Of the country was that the Congress
| enacted much desirable legislation in -,06.
President Roosevelt said of the first ses-
| sion of the fiftyninth Congress: I'm the
session just closed the Congress has done
more substantial work that any Congress
has done at any session since 1 became
familiar with public affairs
Speaker Cannon said of it: "In my judg-
inenl the WORK zone ana the legislation
enacted in the session Just closed exceeds
in Importance for the best interests of all
the people of the republic the work of any
session during my thirty years of public
life"
Among the more important acts of the
Congress in the year 1906 were these:
Railway rates to be fixed by the interstate
commerce commission: rebates and other
determinations penalized: sleeping cars. ex-
press companies and pipe lines made COM
mon carriers: railway passes PROM. ted
after January l. 1907.
pure Iood law. with stringent regula-
lions to prevent adulteration and requiring
the label on popular remedies to describe
truthfu,ly the components. -.'..-
The meat inspection requirement, by
which all meat products to be inspected at
government expense
The free alcohol BILL designed to cheaper
the use of denatured alcohol and furnish a
market for the farmers by-products.
Panama canal to have eighty-five foot
level with locks. the canal supplies to be
domestic products. and the canal bonds to
enjoy the same privileges as al United
States bonds.
Oklahoma admitted to statehood. and the
choice given to Arizona and New Mexico to
come in as one state or remain territories
At the election in November Arizona elected
to remain out.
The consular service reorganized on a
basis of service promotions.
The quarantine against yellow fever ma
tionalized. where hitherto 1t had Jeen under
state laws.
Alaska allowed a delegate in the House,
and the liquor revenues devoted to schools
and road building.
Steamboat inspection made more rigid.
Naturalization safeguarded. Trade mark
law amended. Militia efficiency promoted.
Employers liability act; negligent COM
| mon carriers made liable for accidents to
employees.
President allowed $4,000 annually for
travelling expenses.
Immunity of witnesses in criminal cases
limited. to correct the Immunity BATH" by
which the beef trust prosecution failed.
Civil war pension acts to the number Of
3 $50 were passed, and the debates of Con-
gress occupied over 10000 pages Of the Rec
ord. the greatest number in the annals Of
Congress.
Among the important bills of the first ses-
sion which reached only a partial stage of
completion and were left over for action
at this session were the following:
The restriction of immigration.
Publicity of campaign affairs.
The ship subsidy bill.
Reduction tarlr OF Philippines products.
Modification OF the Chinese exclusion law.
Anttinjunction bill
Eght-ho law.
To establish postal savings bank and parcels post
Limiting working hours of railway employees.
Also the much discussed Santo Domingo treaty,
which, however. Is regarded moribuud.
Congress reconvened Monday, December
3. The President sent in nominations the
same day which changed. materially the
| complexion of his cabinet as follows: Sec
rotary of the Treasury, George B. Cortel-
| you; Attorney General charles j. Bona
| parte: Postmaster General. George Won l..
Meyer: Secretary of the Navy, actor II
Metcalf; Secretary of the Interior, James
| r: Garfield: Associate Justice of the Su-
| preme Court, William H. Moody. This elm
| mates Ethan Allen Hitchcock, for years
Secretary of the Interior, and Mr. Moody
| long Attorney General. from the cabinet
| and moves Cortelyou from the Postmaster
| Generalship Bonaparte from the Navy
! Secretaryship and Metcalf from Commerce
4
| newcomers. though both are we'll known
| I'm public life.