Rocky Ford enterprise., 1906-07-06
!. A REVIEW OF THE WORK
ACCOMPLISHED BY CONGRESS
Pa.,ed the Meat Inspection Railroad Rate and Purs
Food BaNs at the Gloss MANY Important Measures
Become Lavs. Most Notable Ssssion in Last
e Quarter Of Century.

tho sundry civil bill should be ex-
pended on . sea level project. A ma
jority OF the senate commktee report
ed In favor OF q sea level canal. but
after . vigorous debate the presidents
recommendation In favor OF . lock
type was approved by . vote OF SO
to 81.
A Joint resolution was passed by
congress requiring the purchase OF
supplies and materials for the canal In
the American market unless the presi-
dent shall determine that the bids OF
domestic producers are extortionate or
unreasonable.
Congress appropriated 81. 500. 900
for continuing work on tho canal.
SIC, SOC. 900 being deficiency appropria-
tionx and S26. .000. 900 being for work
during the fiscal year 1907. In addi-
tion to these appropriations steps are
being taken to issue the canal bonds
authorized by the Spooner act. which
may be issued from time to time"
to the extent OF Si3o.o00.o 900. During
the present session congress provided
that these bonds should have the
rights and privileges OF other two per
cent. bonds OF the United States and
the tax OF onc-fourth of one per cent.
Imposed upon bonds deposited to Sc
cure national bank circulation was I'm
posed upon the canal bonds when used
for such security. II was also pro-
yided that tho deficiency appropriation
should DO returned TO the treasury
from the proceeds Of the sale OF the
canal bonds.
Statehood Issue Settled.
Tho admission OF Oklahoma and In
dian territory as n single state was
accomplished by tho act approved
June is. The act also admits Arizona
and New Mexico into tho union ns a
single state. provided that n majority
In each OF tho territories shall vote
for joint statehood. "and not other
wise" This bill was tho subject OF
bitter contention. as II had been In
former sessions. Il passed the house
In the form OF a bill admitting the
four territories ~ two states. Tho
senate amended tho bill by eliminate
ing all provisions relating to Arizona
and New Mexico. In conference the
conditional admission OF these ter
ritorics as n state was agreed upon.
and after vigorous debate In both
houses the conference report was
agreed to.
After several years Of effort on the
part OF tho stat. department congress
at this session passed an act rcorEan-
king the consular service. Tho con-
suis general and eonauis arc grouped
by classcs. and provision Il made for
an Inspection service consisting Of i've
consuis general at large. with a sal
ary CT 5000 each. No offecr In the
consular service receiving more than
81. 900 Is permitted 10 engage In busi-
ness or practice law. All fees are TO
be turned into the treasury. Origin
ally the bill prvIdcd that tho higher
ofliccs should be filled by promotion
only. but this provision was climin-
atcd and the promotion system has
been established by the state depart
mcn. without further enactment.
Boon In Alcohol Bill.
A most important piece OF lcgisla-
ton is the removal Of the tax upon
dcnaturcd alcohol. II was strongly
opposed by manufacturers of kerosene
and gasoline. In tho debate II was
alleged that. with tho tax removed.
alcohol could be manufactured and
sold cheaper than either kerosene or
gasoline and that II would enter into
power and otherwise.
A national quarantine law. provid-
ing for uniformity of administration
and giving the federal government
power to establish quarantincs in
port cities and supcrscde the local and
state authorities. has been passed.
An employers liability bill, to meet
the demands of the trainmen OF the
United States. has been placed upon
the statute books after years of effort.
Congress has had difficulty with tho
executive departments through the
expenditure OF money and the incur
,ing OF obligations in excess of ap-
propriations for many years. Several
amendments to appropriation bills
were made during this session de-
signed to correct this abuse. Here
after the heads of executive depart
ments are required to apportion ap-
propriations made for their depart
ments in order to avoid deficiencies.
and deficiency appropriations will be
made only to cover unforeseen emer-
gencies. Congress also put its foot
down upon the disbursement of money
collected by any department and not
turned into the treasury.
All money received hereafter must
be turned into the treasury. and no
disbursements may be made except in
accordance with appropriations of
congress. Detailed estimates of all
appropriations are required from all
departments. It also is provided that
no clerk shall be transferred to an
other department at a higher salary
until he has performed three years
service in his first position.