Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1906-07-04


benefit to many Industries requiring
power machines or vehicles.
Another bill which strengthens the
arm of the executive in striking at the
predatory trusts by preventing corpo-
rations from getting immunity because
OF testimony before d government be-
comes law.
Labor interests. though angered Mt
the eight-hour bill to even come to a
vote, were pleased somewhat by the
passage of the employers liability ac!
making interstate carriers liable for in
juries to employees in the absence of
safety appliances and regulations
Other measures of general interest
which passed both houses We're: Au-
thorizing the return of unidentified
Confederate flags; abOlishing the grade
of lieutenant general: adding $1,000
to each states quota for agricul-
tural experiment stations: prohibition
of gambling in the territories: provis-
ion for marking Confederate graves in
the north: extending the time of tribal
relations for the five civilized tribes;
changing coin and bullion reserves to
S50,OOO,OOO and 100000. 900; providing
for the selection of a delegate from
Alaska; to prevent hazing at naval
academy; to reorganize army medical
corps.
Important Bills That Failed.
The Philippine tariff bill, which was
one of the pet administration measures
ana which was forced through the
house by making Il concession of -
per cent. of the Dingley rates OH sugar,
tobacco and rice. by the vote of 25S
TO ~. as early as Jan. 10. was put to
sleep effectually in the senate commit
tee on the Philippines through combi-
nation of Democrats and standpat Re
puDiIcan senator's. The committee
voted 8 TO > against reporting
this cherished administration measure,
and the efforts to bring about recon
sideration proved futile The senate on
June > tabled the proposed constitu-
tional amendment permitting federal
divorce law. The house defeated by a
large majority the Adams bill author
lzing whipping posts COR wife-beaters
i'll the District of Columbia. The SON
ate on Feb. II. voted IS to 81 i'm favor
of the ship subsidy bill establishing
thirteen new contract mail lines to Cen
tral American. South African. Austria |
liam and Pacific island ports ut the |
rate of 50 per ton Il year for the for
eign trade. and $3.50 per ton for the !
colonial trade. 1t includes provision |
for naval reserve force by payment |
Of retainerS to officers of subsidized |
vessels This measure is stranded how
ever, in the unfriendly house commit
tee or merchant marine.
A new bill TO restrict and regulate ,
which passed the senate
May % contained provision for an ed
ucatiOnal fest. namely. the ability TO
understand the English language. and
raised the head tax from 50 to 81. while I
creating Il commission TO investigate
the entire subject. When. however, the
house passed this bill. June 81. the ed
ucational test and the head tax were
stricken out and. the senate refusing to
agree. the bill died in conference.
Throughout the session the senate
on foreign relations rcSOlute
~ resisted all the administrations in
fuence to report favorably the Santo
Domingo treaty. Other administration
measures which Jared badly in one
house or the other were: For federal
control of life insurance companies, |
the employers liability act. requiring
the interstate carriers to become liable
for accidents to employees in the alb
sence of prescribed safeguards. which
passed the house April .; modification
Of Chinese exclusion: specific laws for
of election corruption.
Uncle Sans Big Expense Account.
Just before the close of the session
It became apparent that the total of APP
to carry on the govern
nent for the next fiscal year would be
in the neighbOrhoOd of
s90a OOO. 600 At this writing the exact
igures have not been officially reported.
It is customary for each party to in
;ert in the record week or two after
he end of the session n statement of
he appropriations and its own explana
ion thereof. The total recalls the out
,ry that was made only fifteen years
lgo, when the Fifty first congress under
Reeds speakership appropriated a lit
lie over 81 900, 100000 in the two, years
# its existence. Replying to the criti-
ism that it was "a million dollar con-
,ress" Reed said: cit is a billion dollar
Even the Fifty fifth congress
which covered much of the Spanish
var expenses. spent only S1,553. 10000
n its two years. Hence, at the pace set
" this first session, the Fifty ninth
is certain to outstrip all its
in the matter of public
To the criticism of the
minority the dominant party replies
hat the country has grown in all di-'
ections. As a matter of fact, the
numerous Investigations and federal
Inspections provided for have added
argely to the cost of government.
The approximate amounts carried by ]
he different appropriation bills, and
ONE extraordinary appropriations,
rere as follows:
Permanent annual, S141. 461 $40,
oStal S1Q1 Coz COS. nensinns S1lQ LII