The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1910-07-14
Washington Letter.

WASHINGTON, D. c., July II. Repub-
licans claim, and Democrats admit, that |
the session of Congress which closed on
June 25th, was the most effective since
the Civil War in the enactment of geh-
eral legislation important to the country
at large. Not only is the work of the
session effective in the number of laws
placed on the statute books, but because
of the scope and far-reaching Importance
of most of them. The work of this first
regular session, taken into consideration
with the passage of complete tariff law
at the special session. gives to the first
part of President Taft's administration
an Importance never before attained by
i. any President during the same period in
time of peace.
Among other important measures pass
ed and approved by the President, were
the following:
The railroad bill, extending the regula
tive power of the Government over COM
mon carriers by rail.
The establishment of postal savings
banks.
The creation of COMMISSIONED in
uuire into stock and bond issues of,rail-
roads, with view to ascertaining if
they have been watered or not, and
recommending legislation to Congress.
Publicity of campaign contributions in
Congressional and National elections.
The creation of a Bureau of Mines!and
Mining, with an appropriation of 1902, 900
for its administration
Admission Of Arizona and New Mexico
into separate Statehood.
Authority granted to the President to
withdraw certain classes of public lands
from entry in pursuance of the National
conservation policy.
An issue of 800 000 900 of certificates
of indebtedness authorized for the com
pletion of irrigation projects already be-
gun, but held up on account ofsa.lack OF
funds.
Increase in the navy by construction of
two frst-class battleships, four.torpedo
boats, and other craft.
The following legislation was enacted
upon the Presidents recommendation,
although not included in the party plat
form:
The creation of commission with
view TO obtaining facts on which the
Federal departments may be reorganized
in The interest of economy.
Laws aimed at the suppression CT the
white slave" traffic.
The reorganization of the Lighthouse
Service.
Comparatively few propositions, as the
history of Congress runs, were recon-
mended by the President and failed.
Whatever legislation was promised by
the Republican platform or recommend
ed by the President and which failed of
enactment during the session just closed,
will have consideration during the next
session. or if not passed then, can be
taken up at the next Congress. 1t is i'm
portant, then, that the next Congress
have substantial Republican majority
in order that all pledges may be kept and
all recommendations of the President
carried out In this connection it may
be SAID that there is no longer any Dem
ocratic claims of a walk-over, and the
exultation Of few weeks ago has van
ished into doubtful attitude on the part
of the Democratic leaders, while the Re-
publicans all over the country are jubi
liant and confident that they will score a
big victory in November.
The fact of the matter is, the Demo-
cratic party has not single issue with
which TO go before the people during the
coming campaign, while on the other
hand, the Republicans have several issues
upon each and every one of which they
can take an aggressive stand and appeal
to the people with the greatest hope and
confidence,
There viii be no division in the Repub-
lican ranks; there will be harmony from
one end Of the country to the other.
There will be an entire agreement-fi first,
upon the legislation that has been enact
ed during the last session; second, upon
the endorsement Of the administration,
which has accomplished so much, both in
the way of promoting legislation and in
the efficiency and economy practiced in
every department; third, in support of
the tariff law, which has proved to be so
beneficial in every way to the industries
and labor of the country and successful
in the way Of revenue The President
is growing stronger with the people
every day, and those who have been nod
ding their heads have, within The last few
weeks. come to admire the Chief Execu-
tive for the amount of legislation that
has been enacted in a large degree
through his quiet but effective efforts.
The next House of Representatives
will be Republican. Whether the MAORI
~ will be or so, cannot now be pre-
dicted, but there is no reason whatever,
considering the record made by the Presi-
dent and Congress, that single seat
should be lost, while on the contrary,