Jasper County Democrat, Volume 19, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 13 September 1916 — THE WORK OF CONGRESS. [ARTICLE]

THE WORK OF CONGRESS.

In reviewing the work of the Democratic congress which adjourned a few days ago the Indianapolis News grudgingly admits that this congress was a notable one in the character of legislation enacted and that it tried honestly to work in the interests of the whole people. This is quite a remarkable admission for the News to make, and we copy its - remarks that our readers may see the opinion held by other than Democratic newspapers of the work of this congress: Not since Civil war times has congress been as bqsy as during the Wilson administration. It has, indeed, been almost continuously in session. And in less than three months it will go .to work again. The session that came to an end yesterday was a notable one in many ways. It made appropriations of $1,637,583,682, the largest in the history of the country. It voted $655,000,000 for army and navy, and general military purposes, an amount quite unprecedented. There can be no question that much has been done, but there is a serious question as to whether all that has been done is good. Congress passed a child labor law, enacted a work-

men's compensation law for the benefit of federal employes, and also a rural credits law. We are to have a tariff commission, and, it is to be hoped, better roads, as a result of the new roads law. Not much is expected—except by the administration—of the new" government shipping law. The less said --except by those who criticise it—of the eight-hour-day law for railroad trainmen the better. But, taking the record as a whole, it must be said that congress has dealt with many subjects of very great importance, and has tried to deal with them wisely. Most of the legislation will have to be tested before judgment can be pronounced oil it. But there has been an honest effort to serve the people. The amount of work done—good, bad, or doubtful—is remarkable. It certainly has not been a do-nothing congress. There has been little filibustering, nor have there been many manifestations of extreme party spirit. The Republicans have performed the duties of an opposition party, even their criticisms being of a helpful kind. They have* as far as possible, co-operated with the majority, many of the measures receiving considerable, support from the Republicans. There has been no obstruction for the sake of obstruction. Though it will seem strange to be without a congress in session, the people will welcome the brief respite that they are to have. With the adjournment they will -turn their attention to -erHier things, and the campaign will take on new life. We think it may fairly be said that we have had a hard-working congress, and one that endeavored to perform to the full its duty to the people.