The Tabor independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1913-19??, 1913-03-20

Journment OF congress March 4
the end was written OF W years
OF epoch making struggle within party
ranks; and to three sessions OF EFFORT,
only partially successful. to adjust the
differences between q democratic
House, O Senate under tic
progressive control and a republican
president. = g .a.~&..1. s'
Many important pieces of legislation
have been enacted within that time;
Investigations OF q 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 h proposed changes became effect
i've. y
The s~ixty-second congress opened in
1911 with q special session called by
President Taft to consider Canadian
reciprocity; 1t ends with an extra SEES
sion Of the sixty-third congress only
a few weeks away to be called by
President Wilson for q general revision
Of the Payne-Aldrtch tariff law. Ma
tional conventions, the birth of q new
party, q general election, and a COM
plete change of administration have In
tervened between it's beginning and its
end. Activities Of the short session now
~AOoAAA6 AoN bCSh IN VII
tirely to routine work, because Of the
determination to leave to the new ad-
ministration all Of the important sub
tects Of a general character.
Important Legislation.
Perhaps the most important devel-
opments Of the entire congress are the
following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada.
Wood, cotton, metal and free list
tarin bills passed. but vetoed by Pres
Constitutional amendment for popu-
lar election Of senator's submitted to
the states.
Shipment Of liquor into prohibition
states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great Brit
Of ratification becaus OF changes made
by the Senate.
Termination Of h treaty OF 1882 with
Russia demanded by congress.
Notice served oil 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, n barring railroad owned
vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed, re-
curling 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,
HfuNlnoinO 1ntnilnI Ynnfh1In ~ rrA9Art
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.
Investigation made of formation and
operation Of the United States Steel
corporation.
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 a 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
personal struggles, involving William
Lorimer and Judge Archbold, 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-hour
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-
mendatlons were made by q Senate
committee within the last week for
radical change in the antitrust law.
TO restore competitive conditions and
prevent monopoly, and they may bear
fru1t in legislation under the new ad-
ministration.
The final session, now ending, has
witnessed a struggle in the Senate be-
tween republicans and democrats thai
prevented the confirmation of the
greater part Of President Taft's ap-
polntments. With more than 1000 ap-
pointments before the Senate, demo
Gratis declined to permit action on the
great majority. and the result will be
that President Wilson will fill the
places after he ONE into office.
This factlonal struggle, coupled with
the Internal democratic contest for the
organization and control OF the Senate
and House under the new administra-
ton, injected the political equation into
the last sessions work to an unusual
degree. Several bills that might have
become law In the closing DAYS OF this
session have been held back because
democratic leaders preferred to have
the subjects carried over until a demo-
cratic president. Senate and House can
nave an opportunity to carry out def
mite legislative programs.