Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1912-08-15
Few Of $50 Days in Length since
Organization Of the Gov
eminent.
NOT FRUITFUL IN NEW LAWS
Of More Than Usual Interest,
However, from the Stand
point Of Great Policies
Outlined.

Washington. Aug. l1.-Congress Is about
&c terminate a session that has now run
over $50 days. Since the organization of
the government there have been but seven
continuous sessions of greater length.
Measured by the standard Of new laws
enacted, this one has not been fruitful of
much general legislation, but from the
standpoint of great issues fought out and
than usual interest.
Political activities have helped to pro-
long 1t and political differences between
the House and Senate have served to tie
up appropriation bills and impede the
progress of much general legislation.
The more important developments that
have marked the session, many of them
outside the record of general legislation,
are:
The decision Of the Senate that William
Lorimer had not been legally elected sena-
tor from Illinois.
The beginning of impeachment proceed
ings against Judge Robert w. Archibald
Of the commerce court.
Abrogaton Of the Russian treaty, fol-
lowing the agitation In Congress over the
Jewish passport question.
Substantial defeat by amendment Of
Pre- sident Taft's arbitration treaties with
Great Britain and France.
Notice by the Senate to foreign ma
tons that the United States will permit
none to acquire naval or military sites
IN the western hemisphere.
Approval of constitutional amend
| ment for direct election of senators.
Decision of both houses in favor of free
passage for American ships at Panama,
| in face Of Great Brtain's protest that
this would be a violation of treaty rights.
| Admission of New Mexico and Arizona
to statehood
Veto by President Taft of tariff bill
passed by democratic-progr essive alli-
ance.
Creation of children's bureau in the
department of commerce and labor.
Increase of Civil War pensions through
the Sherwood service pension law.
| Important questions remain to he set
tied this week between the two houses,
or between Congress and the President.
Many of them, incorporated in the annual
appropriation bills, are:
| Proposed adjustment of the tariff COM
mission and the commerce court.
|
| Reorganization plans for the army.
partly rejected by the President when
he vetoed the army appropriation bill.
Establishment OF a parcels post sys-
tenn.
Restriction of civil service employees
to seven-year terms.
| Details Of the Panama canal admin
istration law.
Creation OF federal department of
labor. 3Ws
The democratic House has contin-
ued much Of the investigating work
that marked the special session last
year and investigating committees ap-
pointed year ago have practically
all reported to Congress, covering the
inquiries into various so-called trusts
Although many of the measures
passed by Congress have become eff
fective. the session has been prolific
in vetoes by President Taft. Since last
December he has disapproved seven
bills. and 1t is expected that this
week he will veto two or three other
measures. including the steel and iron
tariff and the appropriation bill fix
ing a limitation of seven years on
civil service terms.
| The Senate has ratified nine treat
les during the session including those
with France and Great Britain which
the President refused to accept In
amended form.