Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1913-03-05
EPocH.MAklNa STRUGGLE.

premacy of the democratic party.
EPocH-MAkINo STRUGGLE.
Two Years Session Of Congress Made
Political History.
Washington, March 5.-With the ad
journment of congress, the end was
written to two years Of epoch making
struggle within party ranks; and tc
three sessions of effort, only partially
successful. to adjust the differences
between democratic house, senate
under democratic progressive control
and republican president.
Many important pieces Of legislation
! have been enacted within that time;
! Investigations Of a peculiar significance
| to the public have been conducted;
and many subjects Of general interest
| have been laid aside without action
| The tariff, attacked alike from demo-
cratic and republican sources twice
| during that period, has been the sub
| ject Of attempted revision, but none of
the proposed changes became effective.
The Sixty-second congress opened in
1911 with q special session called by
President Taft to consider Canadian
reciprocity; it ends with an extra se-
sion OF the Sixty-third congress only
| a few weeks away, to be called by
President Wilson for general revision
| Of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law. Ma
tional conventions, the birth Of new
party, a general election and a COM
plete change Of administration have
| intervened between its beginning and
its end. Activities of the short session
| now closing have been limited almost
entirely to routine work, because Of the
determination to leave to the new ad-
ministration all Of the important sub
jects of a general character.
Perhaps the most important develop
ments of the entire congress are the
following:
New federal bureau Of labor created,
! with cabinet officer at its head.
Physical valuation Of the property
Of railroads and other common car.
riers ordered, to form basis for rate
making.
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada.
Wool, cotton, metal and free list tar
iff bills passed. but vetoed by Presi-
dent Taft.
Constitutional amendment for popu-
lar election of senator's submitted to
the states.
Shipments Of liquor into prohibition
states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great Brit
tain 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 coun-
try.
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 owned
vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed. re-
quiring 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, 1908
and 1912; and disclosing correspond
ence between John d. Archbold Of the
Standard Oil Company and members OF
congress. !
Investigation made Of formation and
operation of the United States Steel
corporation.
These comprise but 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 great per-
sonal struggles, involving William Lor-
inner and Judge Archibald, ran thruout
the congress-: and with their inter-
esting personal phases helped to draw
attention from the actual legislative
work of the two years.
While congress passed an eight hour
law covering all government contracts
except on the Panama canal, 1t took no |
action on two important subjects-anti-t |
Injunction and antitrust legislation. !
were made by SEN |
ate committee within the last week. for
radical changes In the antitrust law.
to restore competitive conditions and
prevent monopoly; and they may bear
fruit in legislation under the new ad-
The final session has witnessed q
in the senate between repub-
licans and democrats. that prevented |
the confirmation Of the greater part of
President Taft's appointments. With
more than 1000 appointments before
the senate. democrats declined to per-
nit action on the great majority. and
the result will be that President Wilson
will fill the places after he comes into
office.
Citizen Taft Goes soutt.
Augusta, Ga, March 5.--Ex-Presi-
1avk Willie r<S HF-l