Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1907-03-14

wv SAASAs oSooAois WOu1u SoAApC1 tAO OA
mission that this three months ses-
sion was productive of more important
business than has emanated from the
federal legislative body at any pre-
vious short session in recent years.
The chief features of the session
may be summarized as follows:
The development of distinctively
new and important policies in federal
appropriations.
The passage of the immigration bill
and the bill relating to appeals by the
government in criminal cases.
The resolution relative to the
Brownsville episode and the resulting
debate thereon, with respect to the in
huence of that debate upon the dis
cussion of the race question in and out
of congress
While these features of the session
stand out in bold relief, there are many
other matters which will challenge the
attention of the country as being OF
far reaching magnitude and impor-
lance.
With respect to the appropriation
bills passed within the ninety days of
the session, it should be said that in
no previous session has there been
crowded into these federal expense
budgets so much which makes for
wise public policy in dealing with the
public moneys. This is so notably true
In the matter of the appropriations for
rivers and harbors that the subject de-
mands more than passing comment.
The policy outlined in the river and
harbor appropriation bill Of this year is
to complete a dozen or more of the
largest projects in the international
improvements, and to put in the way
Of early completion other projects
upon which a vast sum of money has
been expended during the past quar-
ter of century. All the harbor prof.
ects on the Atlantic seaboard, furnish
Ing accommodations to the great for
eign and coastwise shipping, are now
In fair way to be completed within
short time.
Projects on the Great Lakes and on
the Mississippi and it's tributaries are
so provided for in the bill OF this year
that assurance is given of the compile
ton within a short time of vast in
ternal waterway system connecting
the upper sections of the Northwest
with the gulf. and bringing the country
tributary to the Mississippi valley in
closer touch with that great artery of
commerce which flows through the fat
valleys Of the Middle West.
The full scope of the important
works accomplished by the river and
harbor legislation, with respect to the
harbors and rivers Of the entire coun-
try, and the new policy Of bringing to
speedy completion the most important
projects, are certain to make for ma
terial development of the commerce
and industry Of the entire country.
In the details of other appropriation
bills policies are put into workable
preston of federal laws upon COM
merce and industry. This is particu-
arly true in the matter of the details
Of the agricultural appropriation bill,
with its provisions for increased in
spection of food products; with It's
addition of plans for grain standards
and inspection, and throwing around
the trade OF the country safeguards to
prevent injury from the influences of
frauds and authorizations.
There are features of the postoflce
supply bill, also, which are certain to
prove Of special value to the people,
1t least in the direction of pointing the
ways to betterments to come. The mail
delivery system, so important to the
people everywhere, Is to be encour-
aged through more liberal eompensa-
ton of carriers, whether In the rural
districts, in the cities or on the rail
roads. With respect to the railway
carriage, however, the increased cost
Is incurred in paying the postal clerks,
and elimination of the aggregate ex-
pense Of mail carriage is secured by
changes in the railway mail pay.
In the senate a protracted debate
vas brought about over the race prob
lem, incident to the passage of the
resolution of inquiry into the Browns
Vile matter Whatever may be the re-
suit of that inquiry, it is not too much
to say that the debate on the whole
question contributed more than any
other single influence that has been in
operation for many years to show up
how much Of cheap and frothy dema-
gogv has been INDUCED in by agitators
who have sought to profit by keeping
alive the animosities engendered by
race differences in the South and
throughout the country.
1t was clearly shown during the de-
bate that the race problem has been
grossly exaggerated; that there is no
call for the violent harangues which
have been projected into the senate
and out among the people by agitators
who have painted the evils which have
grown out of race differences in the
South in too vivid colors. 1t will be
more difficult in the future for the agi-
tators to obtain public attention.
In the meanwhile the people will
nuiotly md methodica11y nnrcre their