The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-04
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goods, and several measures for reor.
ganization of the army.
The last session of the Congress was
notable, too, for the failure of the
great issues, national prohibition and
woman suffrage. Proposed constitu.
tlonal amendments precipitated two of
the most exciting legislative battles in
the history of the House of Represent
atlves, both measures failing to re.
celve necessary twO-thirds 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 had the European
war. Throughout the session the Presi.
dent and the Senate Foreign Relations
Committee were in frequent conferences
ana 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 pc
RODS and 26 peace commission treaties
providing for investigation of interna.
tional disputes before resort to arms
were negotiated and ratified. A treaty
to enforce the regulations adopted by
the London Safety at Sea Conference
was ratified last December, but with
an amendment making reservations
which came too late for other powers to
consider, thus preventing enforcement
OF the convention. A treaty with Mica
ragua providing for requirement OF the
Niearaguan canal route and naval sta
tlons for $3,000,000 was left unratified
by the Senate and the pending treaty
with Colombia directing payment of
25,0OO,000 for the Panama canal
strip was, held by the Foreign Relations
Committee.
The closing session of the Congress
was almost wholly devoted to appropri-
alton bills, the ship purchase bill fight
and a few general measures. Aside
from appropriations, about the only i'm
portant legislative enaetments included
the creation OF the coast guard by con
solidation of the life saving and reve.
nue. cutter services; reclassification of
grades in the diplomatic and consular
service; requirement of registration of
and imposing special taxes upon all
dealers, manufacturers or importers of
opium, or its derivatives, and the ere
alton of the Rocky Mountain National
Park in Colorado.
Much debate on the condition of ma
tional defenses enlivened the closing
session. Proposals for special investi-
gatioH>of the preparedness of the ma
tion for war all failed. House naval
and military committees, however, con-
Quoted public hearings on the subject
in connection with the military supply
bills.
The Congress also was marked by
differences between President Wilson
and some Democratic Senators over
patronage; a spirited contest over con-
frmation of nominees for the Federal
Reserve Board; two successful filibus-
ters-one in the summer session against
the rivers and harbors appropriation
bill and the other the fight of Repub
licans and Democratic allies against
the ship purchase bili-an unsuccessful
effort in the Senate to establish a
cloture rule to limit prolonged debate;
institution of a special inquiry into
outside influences exerted against the,l
ship purchase bill; general lobby in
vestigation which extended for many
months, and proposal of an inquiry into
Senatorial campaign contributions
With the fall of the gavel to-day
many Senators and Congressman long
national figures passed into private
life. Senators who retire are Root, of
New York; Burton, Ohio; Perkins, Cali |
fornia; Thornton, Louisiana; Bristow, |
Kansas; Stephenson, Wisconsin,; Craw-
ford, South Dakota; Camden, Kentucky,
and White, of Alabama. Represent |
ative Underwood leaves the House to |
go to the Senate. Scores of Represent |
atives in the House give way to new
members.