The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1910-06-30
THE RECORD OF CONGRESS-.

has been given out;
Congressman prepared and intro
duced total of 36,077 bills. 27,22I in
the House and SS5S in the Senate.
They offered 1119 simple resolutions,
A in the House and 275 in the Senate.
They framed so concurrent resolu-
llohs, SO ia the House and 81 in the
Senate. Formal amendments to bills
were printed in both branches to &c
number of 800. OF the nearly 10000
legislative proposals, 800 public and
1875 private bills were enacted into
law and 40 public resolutions pass
ed. For itself the Senate considered
$4,000 nominations sent in by the
President. All of these were duly
confirmed with the exception of 13
general appointments and "a post
masters. Congress authorized the
expenditure of approximately $1,079,-
OS7,441. OF that sum 100000 900 COW
ers permanent annual appropriations.
AT the last session the total expendi-
lures aggregated $1,044 100000 There
was then no public building or rivers
and harbors bills. These now carry
total Of $75,OOO,OOO Exclusive of
these two measures the appropriations
would equal 1,004 100000. These
figures show a reduction in expendi-
lures of $4O,OOO,0OO With the added
bills of more than $35,OO0,OOO.
More important than the foregoing
record is the list of important meas
ures passed, which Includes:
Striking revision of the ..ailroad
laws, including the creation of a
commerce Govt, admitting Arizona
| and New Mexico as separate States.
authorizing the establishment of pos
tai savings banks, giving to the Pres
! ldent unlimited authority to withdra "
| public lands for contributions, Great
ing Bureau of Mines, extending the
activities of the Tariff Board and an
propr1ating $250,000 for it's use. look
ing to the suppression of traffic in
white slaves" authorizing the entry
OF the surface of coal lands, creating
a commission to consider economics
in the administration of the Federal
Government, providing a new tariff
system for the Philippine Islands. leg
lslation which ultimately is expected
10 give practical prohibition to the
Hawaiian Islands.
Ahother noteworthy feature is the
| revision of the House rules. curtail-
ing the power of the Speaker. The
speaker was removed from the Com
mlttee on Rules, which he had previ
ously been credited with dominating.
ana a new rule was adopted for the
purpose OF effectually preventing
plgeonholing of bills by committees
"hen they were approved by a ma
Jorlty of the House, regardless of marty
utilization.
| When 1t is considered that the Re-
publican party in Congress appeared
TO TO be in a demoralized condition
during considerable part of the ses-
sion, 1t is both surprising and wonder
lul TO consider the important mea-
sures which President Taft was ahlo
10 get through the House and Senate.
me New York Tribune says of this
achievement:
Two things stand on in tbs .ec-
oru OF the session of Congress now
| uIdWihS 10 a close. One is the Pre- G.
iuehl remarkable success in promot-
ing the passage of measures to which
| ne considered the Republican major
ny IN the legislative department.
pledged by the declarations of the Re
puDllcan national platform. The other
| is the restoration of the prestige Of
| the House of Representatives as a
factor in legislation. The two results
We're not merely coincidental. They
had a common cause. 1t had been
MADE evident by the occurrences of
the extra session of 1909 that the
PRESIDENTS leadership of the party
could not become really effective un-
III a larger measure of self-govern-
ment was restored in the House of
Representatives.
Action in the House which means
something and for which that body is
willing to accept full political res
possibility is new development at
the capital. 1t will work for better
legislation because it will tend to
curb the present excessive influence
OF the Senate. A self-governine
House, acting in harmony with a pro-
gressive Present like Mr.. Taft, will
be able to give freer effect to the pop
ular Will on issues on which the
Senate, representing the narrower
interests of the States, is inclined to
be Indifferent or Obstructive
The President energies from the leg
islative contest with greatly increased
prestige and the Republican party
holds a position vastly improved when
contrasted with that of a few months
ago. At the time the Journal called at
tention to the fact that it was much
easier to elect Democratic Congresses
in the spring than it was in Novem-
Der, and the Democratic chances at
the present time are waning every ev-
cry day. The Republicans are get
ting together in a manner that SEEM |
ed impossible until very recently.
their record of good legislation pass |
ed is excellent, the Presidents stand |
IN hating the proposed increase of |
rallroGd freight rates has strengthened |
The MARTY rnotocion,. a..