The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1913-03-06
IMPORTANT
LEGISLATION BY
62ND CONGRESS
Canal Law, Campaign
Publicity, Direct Ell
ection of Senators,
MUCH UNAVAILlNG
Canada's Action, Taft's We
toes and Party Struggles
Killed Other Legislation,
MUCH UNAVAlLlNG

49,
the end will be written to two years
of opoch-making struggle within
party ranks; and to three sessions OF
effort, only partially successful, to
adjust the differences between IA
Democratic House, "A Senate .ndcr
Democratio-ProgrossiVc control, and
II Republican President.
Many important pieces OF lcgisla-
tion have iCcn enacted within that
time, investigations of a peculiar
Significance to the public have been
conducted; and many subjects OF scn-
rral interest have been laid aside
without action. The tariff, attacked
alike from Democratic and Republi-
can sources twice during that period,
has been the subject of attempted re
vision, but none of the proposed
changes became effective.
The Special Session.
The Sivty-Second congress opened
in 1871 with a special session called
by President Taft to consider Cana
dian reciprocity; it ends with an en-
ira session OF the 63rd Congress only
Il few weeks away. to be called b!
President Wilson for Il general re
vision OF the paync-Aldrich tariff
law. National conventions, the birth
OF "A new party, ii general elcttiCn
and a complete change OF administra-
tion have interviewed between its be
ginning and its end. Activities OF
Che short session now closing have
been limited almost entirely tC
routine work, because of the detcrm-
nation To leave TO the new admins
tration all OF the important subjects
of a general character.
Perhaps the most important devcl-
opmcnts of the entire Congress art
he following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed
out rejected by Canada.
Wcol, cotton. metal. and free LIST
tariff bills passed, but vetoed b.
President Taft.
Constitutional amendment for pop
ular election OF Senators submitted
to the States.
Shipment of liquor into prohibit
ion states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great
britain and France negotiated, bu
CIR " . lu'ilIAdliOil ~ tNot "
,hanges made by the Senate.
Notice served on the world by the
senate, that the United States viii
not permit foreign nations to secure
military naval f|ootholds where they
might threaten safety OF this coun-
try.
Childrcns bureau created in de-
partment OF Commerce aud Labor.
Panama Canal law passed, estab-
'ishing free passage for American
uastwise ships, and barring rail
road owned vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed
requiring a complete public account.
'ng of all campaign funds.
William lorimer declared not en-.
.itlod TO seat as Senator from iii,
lois.
Judge Robert w. Archibald o
commerce Court i|mpeached and con
jicted ON charges of judicial miscon.
act.
Money trust investigation conduct.
q, disclosing detailed methods OF
~}resent-day financing operation.
Campaign expenditures investigat.
i covering campaign funds of 1904
1908 and 1912; and disclosing cor.
"e|spondence between John ID. Arch
bald OF the Standard Oil company
and members of Congress.
Investigation made CT formation
and operation OF the United S,atcs
Steel Corporation.
Struggle Between Parties.
These comnrise but few OF the law
passed. Investigations conducted
treaties passed on. and legislative
subjects considered during the tive
Years of end Congress. The two
great personal struggles. involving
William Lorimer and Judge Arch
bald, ran throughout the Congress.
and with their interesting 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
It tock no action on three important
subjects: contamination. workmcu
compensation. and anti-tru:t logisla-
ton. Recommendations We're made
by a Senate committee within the
asst week. for radical changes in the
1pti-trust law. to restore competi-
i've conditions and prevent mono
poly; and tley may bear fruit in
legislation under the new admini.-
tration.
The final session. now ending. has
witnessed a struggle in the Senate
between Republicans and Demo
crat-, ttHt prevented the confirma-
'lon OF the greater part OF Presi-
lent TAFT: apopintments. With more
han 1000 appcintments before the
senate. Demo rats declined to per-
nit action en- I'll" great majority. and
no result Will be that President
Wilson will FIJI the places after ne
ONES into Office.
The faclional struggle. coupled
with the internal Democratic con
ct for the organization and o II
troll OF Senate and House under the
new administration. injected the
"oliiical equation into the last ses-
lens work to an unusual degree.
Several bills that might have become