Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1906-07-05

plans for such a vessel, to be submit
ted to congress. The naval act of this
year makes small provision otherwise
for the increase of the navy.
A bill was passed defining hazing
and providing for the punishment OF
midshipmen guilty OF the offense.
No opposition of importance devel-
oped when the motion was made 10
concur in the conference report on the
naturalization bill. IL provides a
board which will have charge of the
naturalization of aliens, and makes
some changes in the law relating TO
court proceedings in naturalization
cases.
General legislation during this ses-
sion included an act prohibiting In
terstate commerce in spurious or
falsely stamped articles made of gold
or silver alloy. an act providing for
the marking of the graves of confed-
crate soldiers and sailors and an act
providing for the disposition of the
five civilized tribes OF Indians.
The principal legislation affecting
the Philippines was an act postpon-
ing the. operation of the coastwise
laws until April IL. 1909: another re-
vising the Philippines tariff, and a
third authorizing the purchase of coal
claims by the secretary of war.
A bill was passed providing for the
election OF delegate in congress from
Alaska. Provision was made for the
allotment OF homesteads to natives of
that district The Alaska fund" was
created. through which receipts from
liquor and business licenses will be
devoted TO the schools and road build
ing. A bill was passed prohibiting
aliens from fishing in Alaskan waters.
An important measure 10 cattle in
terests is that changing the 2S-hour
law so that cattle may be kept in cars
sc hours without unloading.
Immigration Bill Fails.
Among the important measures that
have failed the immigration bill de-
mands first consideration. II failed
because conference committee was
not appointed to settle the disagree
ment between the two houses. After
a spirited fight in the house. in which
Speaker Cannon participated. the inn
migration bill. originally a senate
measure. was passed. with substitute
for the educational test" which re-
CURED immigrants TO possess the abil-
ity to read English or some other Ian
guage. The house substituted a Sec
ton providing for commission TO in
yestigate the subject OF immigration.
The bill will command attention when
congress reconyenes in the fall.
The bill To prevent contributions by
corporations 10 campaign funds was
started in the house. II was forced
through the senate by the indefatig-
able efforts of Senator Tillman. The
house leaders refused to let il come
up there, although it is understood
action will be permitted az the next
session. The Democrats charge that
the Republicans want TO lay ii over
until after the congressional elections
in order 10 get one more chance at the
corporation barrel
The Philippine tariff bill is still an
other notable failure. 1t was one OF
the features of the original admins
ton programme, was whipped through
the house after celebrated fight with
the Insurgents. and eventually landed
in the seclusion OF senate commit
tee-room. IL has been allowed to lie
forgotten for the present.
The immunity bill. designed TO pre-
vent the recurrence of fascos such as
attended the prosecution of the Chi
cago beef cases passed the house and
in amended form was reported favor
ably from the senate committee on jul
dietary. Ever since then efforts 10 get
il up have failed owing TO the objec-
ton OF some senator or other.
1t has been hard session for treat
les. The Santo Domingo convention
much desired by the administration
has Deen kept down by the hostile mi
nority in the senate. No action has
been taken either on the Isle of Pines
or Algeci"as treaties.
Fate OF Labor Bills.
Bills, most of which were demanded
by the leaders of organized labor, have
met their fare as follows:
!. The anti-injunction bill-dead in
the judiciary committee
.. The eight-hour bill, reported from
the committee on labor, but not acted
upon.
g. The election OF senator's in con.
gress by direct vote of the people =
dead IN committee.
4. he publicity of campaign ex.
penses bill. recently reported TO the
house, but not acted upon.
B. The letter carriers bill-dead in
committee.
g. The bill 10 regulate the hours o,
railway trainmen-dead in committee
Z. The bill for the relief OF the Slo.
cum survivors-dead in committee
8. The bill 10 prevent convict-madt
goods from competing with the goods
manufactured by honest labor-dead in
committee.
Outside the line OF actual legislation