The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1915-03-04

ments precipitated two Of the most ex'
citing legislative battles in the history
OF the House OF Representatives, both
measures failing to receive necessary
two.thrds vote.
Foreign relations Of the nation were
constantly to the fore almost from the
beginning Of the Congress. The Mexican
situation requiring close attention from
the outset, as has the European war.
Throughout this session the president
and the Senate foreign relations commit
tee were in frequent conferences and
much was done to restrain unusual
demonstrations which might have dis
turbed international tranquility Early
in the session general arbitration treaties
with several great foreign powers were
renewed for five-year periods and 20
peace commission treaties providing Tor
investigation of international disputes
before resort to arms were negotiated
and ratified. A treaty to enforce tine
regulations adopted by the London SAFE
ty at Sea conference was ratlhed last
December, but with an amendment max
ing reservations which came too late for
other powers to consider, thus preventing
enforcement OF the convention A treaty
with Nicaragua providing for the acquire.
ment of the Nicaraguan canal route and
naval stations for 100000 was LETT un-
ratified bv the Senate and the pending
treaty with Colombia directing payment
of S25. 100000 for the Panama canal strip
was held up by the foreign relations
committee.
The closing session of the Congress
was almost wholly devoted to approprla-
tion bills, the ship purchase bill fight,
and few general measures. Aside from
appropriations about the only important
legislative enactments included the crea-
ton of the coast guard Dy consolidation
OF the life saving and revenue cutter
services: Reconsideration Of grades in the
Diplomatic and consular service; require
ment Of registration Of and imposing
specal taxes upon all dealers, manufac-
turers or importers of opium, or its de-
rivatives. and the creation Of the Rocky
Mountain National park in Colorado.
Much debate on the condition OF ma
tional defenses enlivened the closing ses-
sion. Proposals for special investigation
of the preparedness OF the nation for war
All failed. House naval and military
committees, however. conducted public
hearings on the subject IN connection
with the military supply bills
The Congress also was marked by dit-
ferences between President Wilson ana
some Democratic senators over patron
age; a spirited contest over confirmation
Of nominees for the federal reserve
board: two successful hlibusters-one in
the summer session against the rivers
and harbors appropriation bill and the
other the fight Of Republicans and Demo
cratic allies against the ship purchase
bill-an unsuccessful effort in the SEN
ate to establish cloture rule 10 limit
prolonged debate; institution Of spe-
cial INQUIRY into outside influences eX-
erted against the ship purchase billj a
general lobby investigation which OK
tended for many months, and proposal OF.
an inquiry into senatorial campaign con
tributions.
With the sall Of the gavel to-day many
senators and congressman long national
figures passed into private life. Senators
who retire are: Root Of New York. Bur-
ton OF Ohio. Perkins of California, Thorn
ton of Louisiana. Bristow Of Kansas,
Stephenson az Wisconsin. Crawford Of
South Dakota. Camden OF Kentucky, and
White OF Alabama. Representative Tn
derwood leaves the House to 90 to the
Senate. Scores Of representatives in the
House give way TO new members.