The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1916-09-11
CONGRESS ADJOURNS.


after nine-month session, was in many re-
spects one of the most remarkable IN our
history
Disturbed by frequent threats of dip
lomatic break with Germany, menaced by a
war with Mexico, called upon at the last
minute to face situation without parallel,
it nevertheless accomplished an astonishing
number of reforms, due to the dynamic
energy of Wilson (whose personality is
written across the face of every bill passed.
who accomplished miracle this year no
less remarkable than he wrought with that
first congress meeting under him when, the
minority choice of a minority party, victo
rous only because of dissension in the
ranks of the Republicans, he composed all
factions, led them across the sea of doubt,
and gave the country a new tariff and
currency reform before he finally allowed
congress to adjourn in December.
Appropriations of the present congress
broke every record exceeding by more than
half billion dollars last years budget,
they reached the total of 81 ,637 ,583 ,682;
not to mention the two billion dollar obi
cation assumed for naval good roads,
tariff commission, and other development
in the coming years
Posterity will he grateful to this
congress, of course, for recognizing our
army and navy, for which the record
breaking sum of $685. 100000 was appropri-
ated, with authorizations that will increase
the total within three years to almost $780,
100000
Among the other bills which the sixty
fourth congress has spread upon the minute
book of history, may be mentioned the tariff
commission which will take the tariff out of
politics and steady business; the govern
ment shipping bill, appropriating $50,OO0,
600 to operate ships and build up the
American maritime trade; the farm loan
banking system, by which the agriculture
of the country has received an impetus that
will magnify our prosperity beyond the
widest dreams; the good roads law, pro-
viding federal aid to cooperate with the
states in building highways, and appropri-
ating $75,O00,0o0 to be spent in five years,
for the purpose; the workmen's compensa-
ton law; the child labor law
The law providing for a more autony-
nous government of the PHILIPPINE Islands
also deserves mention. The intention of
the government to give the PHILIPPINES their
freedom ultimately, was also voiced irr
President Wilson's speech of acceptance.
To meet the extra revenue, congress
doubled the taxes on incomes, created an
inheritance tax, munitions tax, and miscel-
laneous excise taxes, and by directing the
sale of $4,000 900 of Panama canal bonds.
Government ownership of railroads was
also taken up; important amendments were
made to the federal reserve board the great
strike was averted, the cotton futures act
was passed. In addition there was an
amount of miscellaneous legislation too
large for tabulation.
The work of this congress has been as
strikingly constructive as the work of the
first congress under Wilson. Reconstruct
ing our army and navy today; recon
structing our commerce them by modifying
the tariff to encourage, not repel, trade.
Building roads, developing farms today;
correcting wartime measure and rehabili-
tatlng the currency system then.
All down the line the same is true And
the future will be equally constructive-the
immigration bill, the corrupt practices bin,
and the bill to permit combinations of
American exporters to meet foreign COM
petition. No one would have believed it
physically possible for party to fulfill its
pledges SO completely, or fulfilling them.
that they could subserve the interests Of the
entire country SO absolutely.