The Sisseton weekly standard. (Sisseton, Roberts County, S.D.) 1892-1929, 1907-03-15

lne business transacted by congress az
its short session. would compel the adj
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
fuence 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-
tance.
With respect to the appropriation
bills passed within the ninety days OF
the session, 1t 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 SUI of money has
been expended during the past 40ar-
ter of a century. All the harbor prof
ects on the Atlantic seaboard, furnish
eign and coastwise shipping, are now
In a fair way to be completed within
q 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 a 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
aarbor legislation, with respect to the
narbors and rivers of the entire coun
try, and the new policy of bringing TIC
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
shape which are o o to plant the i'm
preston of federal laws upon com
merce and industry. This IS particu
larly true in the matter of the details
Of the agricultural appropriation Dill
with it's provisions for increased In
spection of food products; with Its
addition of plans for grain standards
and inspection, and throwing arouno
the trade OF the country safeguards te
prevent injury from the influences O
frauds and authorizations.
There are features of the postoh1ce
supply bill, also. which are certain te
prove Of special value to the people
ut least in the direction Of pointing the
Eays to betterments to come. The mai
delivery system, SO important to the
people everywhere, Is to be encour
lged through more liberal compensa
ton of carriers, whether In the rura
districts, in the cities or on the rail
roads. With respect to the railway
carriage. however, the increased cos
Is incurred in paying the postal clerks
md a elimination Of the aggregate eX
pense OF mail carriage is secured by
changes in the railway mail pay.
In the senate a p~rotracted debate
3as 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 mucl
to saw that the debate on the whole
question contributed more than an,
other single influence hat has been il
operation for many years to SHOW III
how much of cheap and frothy dema
eosv has been INDUCED in by agitator'
who nave sought to profit by keepin:
alive the animosities engendered b.
race differences in the South AM
throughout the country.
1t was clearly shown during the de
bate that the race problem has beer
grossly exaggerated; that there is IL
call for the violent harangues whicl
have been projected into the senat'
and out among the people by agitator
who have painted the evils which hav
grown out of race differences in TIL
South in too vivid colors. 1t will b
more difficult in the future for the ag
tators to obtain public attention.
In the meanwhile the people vii