Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1913-03-03

years OF epoch-maklng struggle within {
party ranks; and TO three sessions of /
effort. only partially successful. to
adjust the differences between q dem |
ocratic house, a senate under demo /
cratic-progressive control, and a repub- /!
lican president.
Many important pieces of legislation /
have been enacted within that time; /
Investigations Of a peculiar signif- |
canoe to the public have been con. |
Quoted; and many subjects Of general
interest have been laid aside with !
out action. The tariff, attacked alike
from democratic and republican
sources twice during that period, has
been the subject OF attempted revi-
sion. but none OF the proposed changes
became effective.
The Sixty-second congress opened
In 1911 with a special session called
by President Taft TO consider Canad-
ian reciprocity; 1t ends with an extra
session OF the Sixty-third congress- only
a few weeks away, 70 be called by
President Wilson for a general revi-
sion OF the Payne-Aldrich tariff law.
National conventions. the birth OF
new party, a general election, and
complete change OF administration
have interviewed between It's beginning
and its end. Activities OF the short
session now closing have been limited
almoS entirely 10 routine work, be-
cause Of the determination 10 leave
TO the new administration ell OF the
important subjects OF a general char
acter.
Perhaps the most important develop
ments Of the entire congress are
the following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada.
Wool. cotton, metal and free list
tariff, 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 1892
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 of commerce and labor.
Panama canal law passed, establish
ing free passage for American coast
wise ships. and barring railroad-own-
ed vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed, re-
curing a 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 1904, 1905
: and 1912. and disclosing correspond
, Cnce between John d. ATChbold of the
Standard OIL company and members OF
congress.
investigation made Of formation ant
operation OF the United States stee
corporation.
These comprise but few OF tht
laws passed, Investigations conducted
, treaties passed on, and legislative sub
jects considered during the two years
Of the Sixty-second congress. The
two great personal struggles, involving
William Lorimer and Judge Archibald
ran throughout the congress; and witt
their interesting personal phases help
ed to draw attention from the sctua
legislative work OF the two years.
While congress passed an eight-hou
, Law covering all government contract
except on the Panama canal, II tool
no action on three important subjects
autiiniunction. workmen's COmpensa
ton. and antitrust legislation. Rec
concentrations we're made by a senat,
committee within the last week, 70
radical changes in the antitrust Law
to restore competitive conditions ant
prevent monopoly: and they may bea
fruit in legislation under the new
administration.
The final session. now ending, ha
witessed q struggle in the senate be
tween republicans and democrats, tina
prevented the confirmation OF III
greater part OF President Taft's az
E pointments. With more than 1000 ar
polntments before the senate, demo
=. Gratis declined to permit action on tn
J great majority, and the result vii
! be that President Wilson will nj tn
:, places after he comes into ONCE.
This factional struggle. coupled Wit
the internal democratic contest 70
Z the organization and control OF ser
{ ate and house under the new admir-
!. istration. injected the political equa
< ton into the last sessions work {
8 an unusual degree. Several bills tha
y might have become law in the c.osin
u days OF this session have been hel
g back because democratic leaders PRE-
ferred 70 have the subjects carrie
e over until a democratic president. ser
ate and house can have an opportur
: ity 20 carry out definite legislaiv