The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-03-04
61ST CONGRESS
EXPIRES TODAY
Review of the Work Performed
During Two Regular Ses-
sions and One Special.
POLITICAL CHANGES
IN HOUSE AND SENATE
Republican Leaders Point
With Pride" TO Tariff Law
and Other Legislation.

WASHINGTON, March BIN the
retrospect, the Sixty-nrst congress.
which will expire by constitutional lin
itation at noon tomorrow. appears to
have been distinguished by three things
the revision OF the tariff in -he So
called Payne-Aldrich BILL which was
passed at an extra session in the sum
mer OF 1909; the large amount OF i'm"
portant legislation. much of IT upon the
recommendation OF President Taft, en-
acted at the regular session of l909-tO
and the exceedingly small product of The
Short session." so-caled. now coming
10 the close.
The Interval between the last two ses-
sions was marked by the political up
heaval registered at the general cleo
tion last November which changed a
large Republican majority into a still
larger Democratic majority In The house
majority in the senate almost to, the
vanishing point and effected striking
changes In the senate personnel
Idh Inc rarure OF .h.S session TO s,iaed ehaei
In the practical certainty that the new
Sixty-second congress will be called al
most Immediately in extraordinary ses-
sion, especially by reason of the strong
desire OF President Taft to secure ac-
ton upon the reciprocity agreement with
Canada.
Strong Contrast Shown.
In strong contrast with the support
by the Republican majority in the mat
ter Of legislation in the regular session
OF 19os-1o, is the fact that at the pres
ent session the majority has boen any
ment was passed in the house by the
aid OF large proportion Of Democratic
votes, while in the senate the rift be-
gents has been an important factor In
the summoning OF the extra session. To
this division In the majority was largely
previous long session-the protracted and
sensational conflict last spring which
ended in material changes in the house
rules generally interpreted as "the over
throw of the speaker" and which, after
n. bitter fight. stopped only just short
OF the actual unseating OF Speaker
Cannon.
Battles In the Senate.
In the senate the most sensational
feature of this session was the unavail-
ing effort. in which the insurgents were
most active. TO unseat William Lori
mer as junior senator from Illinois. The
bcratng, and its bitterness adds frlc-
tion. TO the closing hours OF the senate
session.
Another important recent action OF the
senate was the defeat of the resolution
embodying a proposed amendment to the
constitution of the United States to pro-
vide for the direct election OF senators by
the people.
This resolution received more than
majority OF the senate, but IL needed
two-thirds vote and fell short by only
almost certainly would have done so
The friends OF this proposition entertain
little doubt that 1t will pass the next
congress and go to the states for ratif-
cation.
Output Of Short Session.
OF general measures consists chiefly of
appropriation bills, and several OF those
have seemed in danger more than once
In the tense situation of the last few days
%hen long hours passed away In filibus-
tering on one side or the other
Thousands of bills were introduced and
thousands more came TO the closing ses-
sion as heritage from the first and
second sessions. In all, there are bc
tween $4,000 ad $4,000 measures before
congress as 1t comes to a close.
These are some of the more important
measures. xoutside OF appropriation bills
that the final session of this congress
enacted into law;
Providing for forest reserves In the
southern Appalachian and White noun
tains.
Providing for the inspection OF boilers
Providing for. the purchase or erection
or embassies. legations and consular
buildings abroad.
An ocean mail bill passed the senate.
liking for 1t TO send 1t on to the White
House. '"''e
Results as Seen by Republicans.
Barren as the final session may have
been OF fruitful legislation. Republican,
Leaders o.o point ,,,, TO the preceding sessions
session. they point to:
The Payne -Aldrch tariff act, with its
maximum and minimum features. cor
poratfon tax provisions and Its customs
court.
The resolution providing for an income
tax amendment to the constitution.
For the first regular session they refer
TO laws for: tetet
Establishment OF postal savings bank
Admission of New Mexico and Arizona
TO statehood
The most extensive census ever taken
The creation of the commerce. court
and sweeping amendments to the inter-
state commerce act.
Ballinger-Pinchot Investigation
Conservation legisla ton, Including au- |
thorization of withdrawal OF public lands |
10 preserve water sites and authorization |
OF the issue OF 800. .000, ono in bonds for |
completing irrigation projects.
Legislation designed to suppress the |
white slave trade"
Publicity of campaign contributions at |
election OF members of the house.
Amendment to the EMPLOYERS Eabjl.ty |
act OF 19Os; supplemental safety appJi. |
ance act: requirement that railroads re-
port accidents to Interstate commerce |
commission. and establishment OF a bu- |
reau OF mines.
Reorganization of lightho service.
Authorization OF expenditures of s2S.-
100000 for public buildings.
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