Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 34, Number 88, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 4 July 1902 — APPROPRIATIONS ARE NEAR THE BILLION-DOLLAR MARK. [ARTICLE]

APPROPRIATIONS ARE NEAR THE BILLION-DOLLAR MARK.

No session of Congress except in. timet of war hu equaled the total approprijw tion of the first session of the Fifty-sev-j enth Congress, it has been practically, a “billion-dollar The total for the first session of the Fif-ty-sixth Congress was >710,150,857. That increase of >217,683,410 includes >175,000,000 for the isthmian canal. Provision* is made in the bill that >130,000,000 off this amount shall be provided for by bonds, but this does not detract from the appropriation as an! obligation of the government. ■ >3 The appropriations and the purposes for which they were made are as follows: Agriculturals,2Bo,o6o Army 91,300,000 Diplomatic 1,957,925 District of Columbia 8,550,000 Fortifications 7,333,955 Indians 9,200,000 Legislative 25,396,5811 Military academy 2,627,000 Navy 78.530,000* Pensions 189,842,230' Postoffice 138,416,590! Rivers and harbors, new work 26,726,442 Sundry civil, including omnibus public building 60,125,359 Deficiencies, urgent and general 206,300,000 Omnibus claims and miscellaneous 5,000,000 Isthmian canal, authorized but not actually appropriated .... 175.000,000 Permanent appropriations 123,921,220 Total >927,836,262 As shown by the foregoing table, the largest increases are in the postoffice, navy and urgent deficiency bills and in the appropriations for new work on river* and harbors. vancement. These include the bill for the election of United Stites Senators by direct vote of the people. It passed the House by practically a unanimous vote, but in the Senate has received little attention and is not likely to pass. The House passed a bill relating to the immigration laws, codifying and amending these laws in relation to important changes. It has been reported to the Senate, but there is not much prospect Of its passage at this session. 'The bill defining the meaning of conspiracy in injunction cases passed the House of Representatives, but has not made much progress in the Senate. New Portfolio Delayed. On the other Rand, the Senate passed an important measure creating a department of commerce, to be presided over by a cabinet officer, but it has made no progress in the House, not having been reported from the committee on commerce. Another bill of interest to the commercial world is the pure food measure, which was drafted by the pure food congress and after extended hearing was reported from the House committee on commerce, but not passed. The Fowler bill probably was the most important financial measure which has been brought before Congress. After considerable public discussion and several conferences by the members of the House it has gone ovet- for consideration next December. Another financial measure, known as the Hill bill, providing for the coinage of subsidiary silver and for the retirement of the present standard silver dollar, has passed the House, but has not been acted on in the Senate. Enacted Into Lavra. Among the other important measures of general legislation not heretofore named which have been enacted finally as laws are the following: To prevent the sale of firearms, opium and intoxicating liquors to the natives of certain of the PacTtlo Islands. To promote the efficiency of the revenue eutter service and to provide for the retirement of its officers. To refund the duties paid tn Porto Rico on articles Imported from the United States during the military occupation. Appropriating s2< 0,000 for the relief of the volcano sufferers at Martinique. Authorizing the erection of Y. M. C. A. buildings on United States military reservations. Regulating the introduction of eggs of game birds for purposes of propagation. Providing for the protection of game in Alaska, particularly the large game, such as moose, caribou, etc. Extending an Invitation to the French government to participate In the unveiling at Washington of the statue of Marshal De Rocha m beau. Refunding the amount of legacy tax paid by charitable, benevolent and eleemosynary institutions. The amount of appropriations for the session will run unusually high, owing in part to the amount required to build the isthmian canal. 'rhe appropriation bills have contained little general legislation, being confined chiefly to the regular needs of the various branches of the government. The naval bill provided for an addition of two armored cruisers, ttyo battleships and two gunboats to the navy, and a provision is still in controversy as to whether one of each class of these ships shall be built in government yards. Investigations During the Session. There have been several investigations during the session which have attracted much attention. An, investigation of conditions in the Philippines conducted by the Philippine committee of the Senate has led to the examination of many witnesses high in the conduct of civil and military affairs in the islands. Another Senate inquiry has related to the condition of affairs in Cuba, especially as to sugar. In the House sensational charges made in connection with the purchase of the Danish West Indian islands led to an investigation which, it.is believed, disclosed the groundless nature of the charges.