Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1907-03-07
WORK OF CONGRESS AND Our con-
GRESSMEN.

GRESSMEN.
II was not expected that the FIFTY
Ninth Congress would accomplish large
amount of important legislation during
the short session which marked the close
of It's existence Monday, but tho short
session of practically every Congress is
limited to the passage of the general 2p-
propration bills and various unimporIant
measures There is Il general disposition
20 leave to the long session, which marks
the beginning of the existence of every
Congress. the taA.ng up Of important ma
tional issues and the beginning of new
departures In. American policies.
A glance at the things accomplished
during the session just closed will tend
to show that the FiftyNinth Congress
was All exception in some marked part-
culars. Here are some of the more i'm
portant measures enacted in addition to
the passage OF appropriation bills.
The Presidents big ship, big gun" pro-
grarnme of rev construction for the navy
has been approved by the authorization
of two battleship, each 9O,C tons dis
placement. and battery of Pinch guns.
Reorganiza ton of the artillery corps of
the army, separation Of the field and coast
artillery and an increase of 5000 men in
the strength of the latter
The right of the government to appeal
,,fI pri, al nd
been granted.
Important changes in the immigration
laws, including "A provision designed to
solve the question at issue between the
United States ard Japan, growing out
of the immigration Of Japanese laborers
into California and other Pacific States.
The treaty with Santo Domingo continu-
ing and legalizing the modus vivendi now
in operation has beer ratified after nearly
Two years opposition to It,
Currency legislation has been enacted
secretary Of the trea Try to deposit gov
eminent money in national banks and pro-
vidirg for the issuance Of gold certificates
in smaller denomination.
The Moroccan treaty has been ratified
and the governments long time policy of
protecting our commerce in that country
has been continued.
Reed Smoot, the Mormon senator from
Utah, has been sustained and allowed to
retain his scat in the Senate.
The corpora tons have been forbidden
by law TO contribute to political cam
paigns.
Tho working hours of railroad en-
ployees have been limited.
The establishment Of a government agri-
cultural bark in the Philippine islands
has been authorized.
The salaries of senators and represent
and those of the vice-president auG
speaker of the House were increased &c
$4,000 year,
1t is significant in this connection tina
members of the Vermont delegation haC
10 do with some Of the most importan
measures to come before our natona
legislators. The immigration bill which
was introdu by Senator Dillingham;
after prolonged investigation and study
was in the most important measure con
sidered by Congress, particularly in view
of the fact that it was so modified by al
amcndmert as to become the vehicle 70
the settlement of the trouble with Japa
growing out of the exclusion of tn
Japanese from the public schools Of sa
Francisco.
Outside of the settlement of tn
japanese question the most importan
ton are the creation Of a commission t
study the whole question of immgra
ton. the increase in the head tax on i'm
migration, and provision for better ac
cknmodatons of immigrants aboar
ship. The commission which is to b
composed of three members apponte
by the President, three by the Vice Pres
ent of whom Senator Dillingham; Is on
and three by by the speaker of I'll
House will sperd the next nine montl
IN a study of the immigration problel
and will be expected to make a repo
to Congress at the next session.
We have already spoken at length
The gratifying success of Senator Proct'
In securing the passage Of the agricu
tursl appropriation bill, with provision
which are calculated to promote IL
interests of our farms to marked degre
The appropriation for the coEservate