p. 15 | WHAT CONGRESS DID

Pacific Press Publishing Company · Mountain View, California · Mar 27, 1907

FromSigns of the Times, Vol. 33, No. 13.

WHAT CONGRESS DID.

Some of the More Important Measures Passed.

Authority was given to establish an agricultural bank in the Philippines.

New immigration legislation was enacted, altho it was less drastic than the President desired. It gives the President power to exclude Japanese coolies.

Permission was given to cooperate for the prevention of atrocities in the Kongo Free State, the President meantime having grown weary of waiting and taken steps without authority.

An appropriation of $2,000,000 was made to aid in repairing the Salton Lake dam.

The Santo Domingo treaty was ratified.

A law prohibiting the contributing of money by corporations for political campaign purposes was passed.

A bill granting the government the right of appeal on points of law in criminal cases was passed, but amended beyond all recognition.

A bill was passed limiting the hours of continuous labor for railroad employees, but an eight-hour day was not created for them.

A ship subsidy law was created, but in a vastly modified and reduced form.

National banks were given authority to withdraw an aggregate amount of $9,000,000 in their notes during one month, instead of $3,000,000 a month as heretofore.

Two first-class battle-ships were authorized, costing $10,000,000 each, being double what the President insisted should be allowed.

A material increase was made in the number of men for sea-coast defense service.

Customs receipts may hereafter be deposited in national banks, as are internal revenue receipts now.

Some additional money was allowed for practise marches and target practise.

A reluctant but partial exoneration was given the President in reference to his action in discharging without honor negro soldiers of the Twenty-fifth Infantry, this being accomplished by a coalition of Democrats and Administration Senators. Investigation of case at Brownsville, Texas, ordered and in progress.

One of those participating in the yellow fever experiments was given reward.

The Algeciras treaty was ratified.

Law providing for expatriation of foreign-born citizens who return to foreign countries and of American women who marry foreign husbands.

Free alcohol law, giving farmers advantage of manufacturing denatured alcohol.

River and harbor improvements authorized to the amount of $87,000,000.

Salaries of Senators and Representatives increased to $7,500, salaries of speaker, vice-president and cabinet officers increased to $12,000.

General service pension law giving a minimum pension of $12 a month to all veterans of the Civil War or the Mexican War.

Senator Smoot declared entitled to his seat, after four years' fight against him on account of affiliation of Mormon Church.

Thirty-Seven Messages Received from the President.

A number of reasonably good fights were made by friends of the President to secure favorable action on some of his other important recommendations, but without success. Among these were measures to prevent the employment of child labor in mines and factories and to lease all coal, oil, and asphalt lands.

Some Things the President Wanted, But Did Not Get.

Authority to appoint a one-man isthmian canal commission.

The enactment of laws for the canal zone.

Legislation to prevent shortage in freight cars.

That Congress approve the reform system of spelling.

A twenty per cent. increase in salaries for all government employees.

To eliminate the "slum" district in the city of Washington.

Authority to discharge officers, in certain cases, without court-martial or other formal process of trial.

An amendment to the Constitution giving Congress authority to deal with the entire question of marriage and divorce.

Increased powers for the Interstate Commerce Commission so as to give it a larger and more efficient control over railroads.

A graduated inheritance tax, and, if possible, a graduated income tax.