The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1913-03-20
Rev;eD Of Things Accomplished
BY the Sixty-Second Congress

Washington, Speclal.-Wltn the al
j%ournmlent of congress March =
the end was written of two year
of epoch making struggle within party
ranks; and to three sessions OF effort,
only partially successful, to adjust the
differences between q democratic
House, a ena under democratic
progressive control and a 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
nave been laid aside without action.
The tariff, attacked alike from demo-
cratic and. republican sources twice
ject of attempted revision, but none
of the proposed changes became effect
I've.
The Sixty-second congress opened in
1911 with a special session called by
President Taft to consider Canadian
sion of the Sixty-third congress only
a few weeks away to be called by
President Wilson for a general revision
of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law. Ma
tional conventions, the birth of a new
party, a general election, and a COM
plete change of administration ave in
~tervened between it's beginning and its
end. Activities Of the short session now
closing ave been limited almost en-
tirely to routine work, because of the
determination to leave to the new adj
m~inistration all of the important sub
jects of a general character.
Important Legislation.
Perhaps the most important devel-
opnents of the entire are the
following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
raiaatn6 hSy CornJo
Wood, cotton, metal and free list
tariff bills passed, but vetoed by Pres
ident Taft.
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
ain and France negotiated, but failed
of ratification becaus of changes made
by the Senate.
Termination of the treaty Of 1882 with
Russia demanded by congress-.
Notice serve 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
lac AASS poooo6C ElOA NlLiSk 1CdH QUASI
wise ships.Sand barring railroad owned
vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed, re-
curing a complete public accounting
Of all campaign funds.
William Lorimer declared not en-
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.
Investigation made of formation and
operation of the United States Steel
corporation.
The new federal bureau Of labor ere
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 a 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
antl-inJunctton, workmen's compensa-
tcn and antitrust legislation. Recon-
We're made by a Senate
ommittee within the last week for
radical change in the anti-trust law.
TO restore competitive conditions and
prevent monopoly. and they may bear
fruit in legislation under the new ad-5
ministration.
n final session. now ending has
Witnessed a struggle in the Senate be-
.Meen republicans and democrats that
prevented the confirmation of the
greater part Of President Taft's an
With more than 1000 an
polntlnents before the Senate dennL
Gratis declined to permit action on The
great majority. and the result will he
tnat PRESIDENT Wilson will fiji the
This faetional struggle. co,,n1ad ,n,.1
the internal democratic contest FOR +ha
organization and control Of the SENATE
~ House under the new adminis+ra
lion, injected the political equation mt
tue last sessions work to an l,n,,.maJ
hegree. Several bills that might have
become law in the closing da We 30 az az
session ave been held BACH haaa sais
democratic leaders preferred In %.M
the subjects carried over until a danas
cIatlc president, Senate and House co.
nave an opportunity to carry ont 5ssy
mite legislative programs.