Pierre weekly free press. (Pierre, S.D.) 1889-19??, 1913-03-20
ReU;eau Of Things Accomplished
By the Siety-Seco,,d CONGRESS

Washington. Special. With the ad-
tournament OF congress March 4
the end was written OF two years
OF epoch making struggle within party
Tanks; and to three sessions Of effort.
pnly partially successful, to adjust the
ntMerences between democratic
House, Senate under democratic
progressive control and republicaa
president. -35
Many important pieces OF legislation
have been enacted within that time:
Investigations Of peculiar significance
TO the public have been conducted:
and many subjects of general interest
have been laid aside without action
Inc tarim. attacked alike from demo-
cratic and republican sources twice
during that period. has been the sub
Of the proposed changes became erect
i've. 81
The sixty-second congress opened In
ISL with special session called by
President Taft to consider Canadian
reciprocity; 1t ends with an extra ses-
SION OF the sixty-third congress only
rev weeks away to be called by
President Wilson for general revision
Of the Payne Aldrich tariff law. Ma
tional conventions, the birth of a new
party. general election, and q COM
plete change Of administration have In
tervened between its beginning and its
end. Activities of the short session now
closing have been limited almost en-
tirely to routine work, because of the
determination to leave to the new ad-
mtnistration all of the important sub
Jects OF general character
important Legislation.
Perhaps the most important deyel-
opments OF the entire congress are the
following:
4 <ts.~. IS
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada.
Wood, cotton, metal and free list
tarin bills passed, but vetoed by Pres
ident Taft.
Constitutional amendment for popu-
lar election of senators submitted to
the states.
Shipment of liquor into prohibition
states forbidden by law
Arbitration treaties with Great Brit
ain and France negotiated, but failed
OF ratification because of changes made
by the Senate.
Termination Of the treaty of 1882 with
Russia demanded by congress.
Notice served on the world by the
Senate, that the United States will not
permit foreign nations to secure mill
tary or naval footholds where they
might threaten safety of this country
Children's bureau created in depart
ment or commerce and labor.
Il
ing free passage for American coast
wise ships, and barring railroad owned
vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed. re-
curing complete public accounting
OF all campaign funds.
William Lorimer declared not en-
titled to seat as senator from Illinois
Judge Robert w. Archibald of COM
| merce court, impeached and convicted
on charges Of judicial misconduct.
Money trust investigation conducted,
disclosing detailed methods of present
day financial operation.
Campaign expenditures Investigated
covering campaign funds of 1908 and
1912, and disclosing correspondence be-
tween John D. Archbold, of the Stand
ard OIL company, and members of con-
gress
operation OF the United States Steel
lcorporation.
The new federal bureau of labor Gre
ated. with cabinet officer at its head
physical valuation of the property of
railroads and other common carriers
IN order to form basis for rate max
Ing.
These comprise but q few Of the laws
passed. Investigations conducted, treat
les passed on and legislative subjects
considered during the two years of the
Sixty second congress. The two great
1 RCASuAAc|Al Iu6SleSs,s lIlvOlyluH william.
Lorimer and Judge Archbcld, ran
throughout the congress, and with
their interesting personal phrases
helped to draw attention from the act
ual legislative work Of the two years.
Many Things Started.
While congress passed an eight-hou
law covering all government contracts
except on the Panama canal, 1t took
no action on three important subjects
anti-injunction. workmen's compensa-
ton and antitrust legislation. Recon-
mendattons were made by q Senate
committee within the last week for
radical change In the antitrust law,
t9f restore competitive conditions and
prevent monopoly and they may bear
fruit in legislation under the new adj
lmtnistration
The final session, now ending has
Witnessed struggle In the Senate be-
tween republicans and democrats that
prevented the confirmation of the
GEeater part Of President Taft's APP
p31ntments With more than 1000 ap-
pO1ntments before the Senate. demo-
Gratis declined to permit action on the
great majority. and the result will be
tnat President Wilson will fill the
places q fter he comes into office.
Vhis factional struggle, coupled with
the internal democratic contest for the
organisation and control OF the Sena te
and House under tue new administra
TON AZ tectad the political equation into
Ine ast sessions work to an unusual
degree Several bills that might have
Decome law In the closing days of this
session have been held back because
dem leaders preferred to have
the subjects carried over until q demo-
cratic president Senate and House can
mite Legislative programs. -
Fighting President.
From the Kansas City Star
The American people seem 10 hava
elected another fighting president, IN
| MS statement. Mr. Wilson challenges,