The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1915-03-10
THE WORK OF CONGRESS
SUMMARY OF THE ENACTMENTS
OF PRESENT CONGRESS.
Has Been In Almost Continuous Ses-
sion Since Wilson's Inauguration
Two Years Ago.

The s3rd congress, first under com.
plete domination of the Democratic
party since 1895, ended at noon
Thursday.
It had been In almost continuous
session since President Wilson's in
auguration two years ago. Beginning
with an extra session called by the
president April 7, 1918, the congress
has worked actually 637 days.
Much important legislation was ac-
complished, but much contemplated,
some of it hard pressed " the presi-
dent and party leaders, was left un-
done. 1t is the present intention OF
the president and his advisers to give
congress rest. Rather than force
an extra session, they would leave the
remainder Of the administration S
constructive aspirations to new
congress next winter, which, although
under. Democratic control, will have
a greatly reduced majority in the
House.
Foremost in the enactments Of the
63rd congress were:
The Underwood-S1mmons tariff act,
with the income tax, which replaced
the Payne-Aldrich tariff law.
The federal reserve act, reorganiz-
ing the currency system.
Antitrust laws to supplement the
Sherman act, including the Clayton
law and federal trade commission
act, the former providing for punish
ment OF individuals who violate busi-
ness regulations and the latter estab-
fishing a government institution to
aid in keeping BUSINESS within the
law.
Repeal Of the Panama canal tolls
exemption for American coastwise
shipping.
Act directing the building at cost
of $35, 100000 of government rail
road to the mineral fields Of Alaska.
Act TO regulate cotton exchanges
and to penalize dealings in purely
speculative cotton future sales.
A special internal revenue tax,
commonly called the "war tax"
A government war risk insurance
bureau to insure American ships
against the hazards of war, and an
act providing for the transfer Of for
eigned owned or built ships to Ameri-
can registry.
Of those measures which failed OF
enactment or could not be considered
for lack of time, the following are
regarded by Democratic leaders as
paramount:
Bill for government purchase or
charter of trans-oceanic ships for the
establishment of an American mer-
chant marine which encountered the
most stubborn flibuster in the his
tory of the Senate, created an insur-
gent movement in the Democratic
ranks and held up general legislation
for weeks of the last session.
The immigration bill, including a
literacy test for admission Of aliens,
which passed both houses, was vetoed
by President Wilson and failed by a
narrow margin to repass the House
on q motion to overturn the veto.
Conservation measures urged by
the president to provide a new sys-
tenn for leasing Of water power sites
and a leasing system to open the
mineral resources Of the country.
Bill to enlarge the measure Of Phil
ippine self-goyernment and to extend
promise of ultimate independence to
Filipino people, measure which
passed the house and was approved
by Senate committee.
Regulation by the interstate COM
merce commission eof the issue of
railroad securities, originally part
of the administrators antitrust pro-
gram.
Rural credits legislation contem-
plating the ablishment Of system
of farm mortgage loan banks, per-
sistently urged throughout the con-
gress.
In addition to the foregoing, scores
of general legislative bills covering a
wide range of subjects died with the
end of the congress, among them
measures for federal road improve
ment, general waterway development,
reorganization of the civil service, 10
prohibit importation Of convict-made
goods, and several measures for re-
organization Of the army.
The last session Of the congress
was notable, too, for the failure OF
two great issues, national prohibition
and woman suffrage. Proposed con-
stitutional amendments precipitated
two of the most exciting legislative
battles in the history Of the House OF
Representatives both measures fail
ing to receive a necessary two-thirds
vote.
WHITE MEN NOT GUILTY.