Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1907-03-08
The important Work Of the seth Congress.


The 59th Congress- which passed into
history at noon Monday, shows a remark
able record Of good legislation accom-
plished. The long session was note
worthy for the Importance and value of its
laws and the short session enacted eX-
peditously several needfu measures
The enactments OF the short session,
December 1906, to March 4, 1907, in
cuded:
Santo Domingo. Morocco, Mexican
boundary and American pecuniary claims
arbitration treaties approved.
immigration laws revised. providing
means TO exclude Asiatic coolies, in
creasing the head tax and steerage
space, creating commission OF inquiry and
authorizing an international conference.
General service pension law embracing
all old soldiers 60 years OF age.
National banks and corporations pro-
hibited from contributing to poiti-
cal campaign funds.
Financial law authorizing deposits of
customs receipts in national banks ad-
ding elasticity to currency and increasing
| supply OF small bills.
Alcohol making extended TO farmers
Salary increases: Fifty per cent. to
vice president speaker, congressman
and cabinet members, all salaries of
ministers abroad. formerly $500 raised
TO $4,000; postal clerks and carriers
pay increased.
Limited right of appeal in criminal
cases given to government
Additional United States courts for
northern Alabama, northern California,
southern Ohio and Nebraska created.
Railway employees working hours
limited
Army: Artillery reorganized and en-
larged; field batteries combined in six
regiments and coast batteries constitu-
ted a corps; grade of Lieutenant general
abolished after retirement of present in
cumbent; acknowledgements Office re-es-
tablished; nearly 500 00O, 900 appropria-
ted for waterways improvement
Navy: Two 20,O0O-ton battleships: two
destroyers; $4,000, 900 for submarines;
1900 additional sailors; 1000 more marines
and major generals rank for command
ant.
The important acts of the first session.
December, 1905, to June go 1906, in
cluded:
Railway rate law.
Lock canal at Panama; supplies to be
domestic.
admitted to Union.
Pure food bill.
Meat inspection bill.
Alcohol for use in the arts freed from
tax.
Consular service reorganized
The President vetoed 10 acts of the
5Sth Congress; 500 public laws were en-
acted, In the House $40 bills were
introduced, in the Senate $685.
Among subjects left to future Congress
es are tariff readjustment; Isle of Pines
treaty; ship subsidies; publicity of cam
palgn affairs; citizenship of Porto Ri
cans; reduction of tariff on products from
Philippines; United States ownership Of
ITS embassies and legations; waterway
Improvements costing $780, 900, 900 recon-
mended by army engineers; codification
OF revised statutes.
The appropriations of the first session
amounted to $S79, SIS, 1876, of the second
session 1867 664 O65 O5. or total OF 81 Sa7
2S3'25O21, as compared with 81 COL Az
OlO.l4 appropriated by the 5Sth Congress
winch led all its predecessors I'm amount
OF total expenditures. The 51st Con-
gress' lS9O-9l, was the first in time n
peace which made appropriations exceed
ing billion dollars.
The 18th Congress adjourned yitno,,.
day at noon Monday. The closino,
hours were marked by dead decorum IN
the Senate and by gaiety in the House
flags. anu waved
~. IN the House the scenes were even
lttie more entertaining than usual for
IN It's last hour the lower branch devote5
user TO making happy Gen. Grosvsnor
OF OHIO, whose last day Of service n S,as
and made him sing his swan song o,oI
a magnificent present of silver, the eift
OF Doth sides, Republicans and DemoN
Gratis joining in the tribute.
There was promise that the San
AT would go out with unusual vim
lot Carmack of Tennessee -
conducting his flibuster to kin ths
ship subsidy bill with talk Mone
1ay' however the subsidy supporters