Yorkville enquirer. [volume] (Yorkville, S.C.) 1855-2006, 1914-10-20
WORK OF CONGRESS
Session Has Been Longest in His
tory of the Nation.
ACTION ON MANY IMPORTANT QUESTIONS
Numerous Acts Have Been Added Statutes and Many Bills
of Radical Nature Have Been Taken Under Considera-
ton.
fly the American flag.

Appropriation of s1,000,000 for ex-
ira expense of diplomatic and con-
sular service in taking over embas-
sizes, legations and consular offices
of warning nations in Europe.
Before these unforeseen conditions
which demanded decisive action to
cope with the European situation,
congress had on it's hands for most
Of the session the threatening Mex
lean imbroglio, which came to cli-
max in the act of reprisal by the
government in the seizure of Vera
Cruz Many times the situation was
critical, and actual warfare with Mex
!co was prevented only by the course
of the administration and the cool
heads in congress in preventing un-
toward oratorical outbreaks and un-
wise action. Legislation growing out
of the Mexican controversy was linn
tied to the following:
Resolution expressing congress
justification of employment by the
president of armed forces of the Unit
ed States to enforce demands for
affronts and indignities against this
nation and disclaiming any hostility
to the Mexican people or any pur-
pose to make war on Mexico.
Appropriation of 100000 for trans
portation and care of interned Mex
lean soldiers and military refugees
and $4,000 for relief and transpor-
tation to the United States of Ameri-
ca, citizens in Mexico.
Other legislation placed upon the
statute books included scores of To-
cal improvement laws, many measur-
es relating to land entries and the
following:
General appropriations for govern
ment expenses aggregating approXi-
mately OO.O00,00O.
Appropriation of $2O,O00,000 for
rivers and harbors improvements at
discretion of war department, passed
as substitute for s53,OOO,000 specific
appropriation bill after prolonged
filibuSter.
Law granting public water supply
to city of San Francisco from Hetchy
valley in Yosemite national park.
Act prohibiting importation OF
opium except for medical purposes
under treasury regulation and plac-
ing a prohibition tax of $500 q pound
on opium manufactured in the United
States for smoking purposes.
Act authorizing payment of money
orders at any money order office IN
the country, although drawn on a
specified office.
Appropriation of 100000 for treat
ment and eradication of hog cholera
and dourine.
Law limiting labor to women in the
district of Columbia to hours day.
Agricultural extension act pro-
viding for cooperation between de-
partment of agriculture and state
Agricultural colleges in diffusion of
and home economics and providing
for an ultimate annual appropriation
of nearly s5,OOO,OO0.
| An act raising the American diplo-
matte agencies in Argentina and
Chile from legations to embassies.
A provision for election of United
States senators under laws governing
election of members of house of rep
resentatives in states where legisla-
lures had not passed special election
laws.
Act providing agricultural entry OF
phosphate, nitrate, potash and other
mineral lands.
Act providing income tax of l per
cent. of the gross annual income OF
railroad corporations in Alaska.
Law establishing the United States
coast guard and consolidating the
revenue cutter and life saving SER
vices with increases in salary for
employees
Act reorganizing diplomatic and
consular service of the country.
Act providing for government leas-
ing of coal lands in Alaska and
to prevent monopolization of natur-
al resources of the territory.
| Resolution creating commission to
consider the subject of national aid
for vocational education to report
not later than June | next.
Foreign relations of the United
States absorbed much attention OF
the congress irrespective of the wars
in Mexico and Europe and formed
the basis for discussion by the pres
ident in his annual message and in
| frequent conferences with members
, of the foreign relations committee
This committee lost its chairman ear
~ i'm the session through the sudden
death of Senator Augustus q. Bacon
of Georgia. Senator William j. Stone o1
! of Missouri was chosen to succeed
him as head of this important com
mittee which was busy Throughout,
the session with the consideration OF
the treaties and other foreign altalrs
| General arbitration treaties with
|
mendation of this committee, were
ratified by the senate. as follows:
Great Britain. Japan. Italy, Spain
Norway. Sweden. Portugal, SwitZer-
land, Paraguay. Austria-Hungary, the
Netherlands and Salvador.
Later in the session and in the
midst of the European conflict tho
senate upon recommendation of the
foreign relations committee, ratified
new treaties providing for peace
commissions of investigations in in
ternational disputes not settled by
ordinary diplomaticy with twenty
three foreign nations as follows:
Norway. the Netherlands. Portugal
Switzerland. Denmark, Italy. SALIVA
dor, Guatemala, Honduras, BOLIVIA
Nicaragua, Persia. Costa Rica. Nene'
zuela. Argentina. Brazil. Chile, Peru
Paraguay. Great Pritain, France. anc
lSpain. Similar treaties negotiated ano
urged for ratification but held up il
the senate for futher consideration