The Newport miner. [volume] (Newport, Wash.) 1899-current, 1912-08-22
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Much important Legislation is
Acted on, But President
Uses Veto Vigorously.

week than during any one week of the
present session. Most of the impor-
tant work. however, was upset by
President Taft, who freely used the
veto power. He not only vetoed the
wool and steel tariff bills, but return
ed with disapproval the appropriation
bill because of it's amendments to
abolish the commerce court and limit
the tenure of office of civil service
employees to seven years.
While the wool and steel bills were
overridden by the house, the presi-
dent was sustained in his veto of the
appropriation bill.
Senate Sustains Vetoes.
The senate voted to sustain vetoes
OF the president on the wool and steel
tariff revision bills. On the steel bill,
the motion to override the president
did not even obtain a majority. On
neither measure did the vote approach
the necessary two-thirds. Senator
Simmons called up the metal bill,
which was first disposed of. Without
debate roll call vote was taken and
81 senators voted in favor of overrid-
Ing the veto. Thirty-eight voted
against passage. No republicans vot-
ed to pass the bin
When the vote on the wool bill was
taken, 80 senators voted in favor of
passing the bill and SO against it. The
following republicans voted with the
democrats to override the veto: Sen
ators Bristow, Clapp, Crawford, La
Toilette, Poindexter, and Works.
After a short debate, the house re-
passed the vetoed appropriation bill,
still carrying the provision to abolish
the commerce court, but lacking the
provision to limit the tenure of office
Of civil service employees to seven
years.
Canal Bill Passed.
The Panama canal bill, as agreed
upon by conferees of the senate and
house, was passed by the house again
by viva voce vote. The bill also
passed the senate, and was sent to the
president for his signature.
AS sent to the president the bill con-
tains all of the compromise provisions,
giving free tolls to American coast
wise shipping, barring the canal to
trust owned or railroad owned vessels
and fixing minimum tolls at $125 per
ton. 1t also places shipbuilding ma
terial on the free list.
Settlers Given Better Terms.
President Taft has signed the act,
approved by the secretary of the inter-
Tor, which will enable settlers on re-
clamation projects to obtain patents
and water right certificates upon the
completion of three years residence
required under the homestead law.
Under this law settlers on irrigation
projects will be able to acquire mar
ketable title within the prescribed Pc
Rod in advance of full payment of the
building charge Heretofore, patents
for lands within government reclama-
ton projects could not be issued until
the building charges had been paid in
full.
National Capital Brevities.
The bill creating a commission on
Industrial relations to investigate la
Dor conditions and the relations of en-
ployers and employees, is now a law.
The house voted down, 100 to 70, a
proposal by Representative Foss of
Illinois, republican, for two battle
ships in the pending naval appropria-
ton bill.
Because of the large sum of money
used in his election, the house has un-
seated Representative Catlin of Mis-
souri, and seated Patrick F. Gill, his
democratic opponent.
Among the diplomatic nominations
sent to the senate Friday by President
Taft was that of Harry F. Nolan of
state, a rancher, to be
secretary of the legation at Panama.
The senate has passed bill placing
at the disposal of Luther Burbank IL
sections of semi-arid land for the pro-
pagation of spineless cacti. If the
land proves suitable it will be sold to
him for $3.50 an acre.
Finding no ground of compromise
between the house and senate bill,
conferees on the sugar tariff measure
have reported a disagreement. This
action is expected to mark the end OF
sugar tariff consideration at this ses-
sion.
The pension appropriation bill, car
rying approximately S160,000,O00, was
signed by President Taft. More than
100000 veterans and their dependents,