The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1871-01-11
CONG RE 8 8.
FORrY-FIRsr TERM : THIRD sRs SION.


Senate.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 1.-THE House concurrent
resolution for the appointment OF Joint commttee
on all ocean cable legislation was debated upon q
moIlon m oy MI Chandler to refer to the Committee
Mr. Sumner, summarizing the results OF that COM
mltteeB action upon various propositions before IT,
said that among other bills now pending which had
Teen reported from that committee was a general
measure Tor code regulating ocean cables, the
substance OF which was sketohed by their late asao
eiate, Mr.. Fessenden.
cable from San Francisco to Japan, which had been
considered many days by the committee He
doubted the expectancy OF taking all those matters
this stage OF The session from the charge Of
the committee which had specially considered them
JOINT committee, II appointed at all, should begin
Mr.. Williams advocated joint special committee
as necessary to an intelligent understanding by
Congress OF the pending conflicting propositions.
one OF these was to appropriate $780, 00l yearly for
long period in aid Of telegraph line from Oaii-
work for onehalf that amount there was fitness in
having their proposition and the pending one pre-
sented to the same committee.
The subject by consent, finally laid over with
out action till tomorrow.
The latter half OF the morning hour was occupied
by Mr.. Revels in some remarks upon the bill to aid
IN the repairs and construction OF levees in the
snco OF the cotton trade, remarking tnat while cot.
ton was no longer King It's commercial influence
upon the n ateral interests and prosperity OF the
country demanded that all proper measures should
be taken to foster It
He referred to the difficulties in the way Of cotton
production In Egypt and Brazil, to show that with
proper encouragement Its cultivation In the United
States could be carried on without fear OF
ful competition In other countries. By the improve.
ments contemplated by the bill several millions Of
acres OF cotton land in the delta between the
mississippi and Yazoo rivers would be opened cul-
tivation.
Upon his motion, the bill was referred to the Com
The Senate then resumed the consideration OF the
resolution as amended by the House for the appoint
ment OF a commission to san Domingo the question
being upon Mr.. Summers motion to amend the
House amendment by adding thereto :-"And the
commissioners shall inquire especially into the al
leged pendency Of civil war in Dominica, and extent
OF territory occupied by the opposing parties; also
Government of Dominica and the neighboring re.
public OF Hayh. and the pendeucy OF any claim
territorial or pecunary by the latter upon the former
and whether any war now exists or Is menaced be.
tween these two Governments
Mr.. Saulsbury moved as a further amendment TO
add And provided further, That BENJAMIN II.
Curtis, Millard Fillmore, and W. f. Sherman be the
commissioners"
House.
MIR. Kelsey, OF New York. from the Coramittee on
Appropriations, reported the Diplomatic and Con-
sular Appropriation bill Made the special order
Mr. Degener introduced Dill for the better pro-
lection Of q the frontier OF Texas: Referred:
Agriculture, reported bill to procure and dissent
nate Information as to the extent Of cereal crops
furnished by United States Consuls Passed.
Mr.. Wilson also reported a bill to prevent cruelty
to animals while In transit by railroad or other
means Of transportation, forbiddng cattle to be
confined in railroad cars longer than twenty ty-eight
cattle rest water, and feeding for at least dve
secutve hours, except prevented by contingencies.
He explained that the bill did not apply TO steam
boats where arrangements are made to feed and
water cattle.
Mr.. Eldridge questioned the propriety and constl-
tutionality OF the bill.
Mr.. Wilson stated the measure had been carefully
considered and submitted to some OF the best law
yers, who certified to its legality and constutionali-
ty. The transportation by railroad OF cattle from
the West to the East was very great and was daily
increasing, and 1t well known that the most in
human and barberous practices were perpetrated
stock In transit that were not only disgraceful to
| humanity, but made meat OF cattle deeterious TO
| health.
| Mr.. Eldridge was satisfied that the bill was
| regugnant to the Constitution, inasmuch as It.
| interfered with the internal police regulations
| of each State. Congress might as well unde r
| take to legislate for the police In every city
and village. He suggested that the bill should
| be referred to the Judiciary Committee,
| Mr., Wilson argued that the bill was directly
| within the scope of the provisions of the Con-
stitution, which gave to Congress power to regu-
late commerce between States.
He moved the previous question.
| On vote by tellers there were only 104
| members voting, which lacked fourteen of a
| quorum.
On a second vote by tellers the vote was still
less, many members being probably attracted
| to the Senate Chamber by the Dominican debate.
A motion to adjourn was then made, pending
| the vote on the yeas and nays.
The Speaker laid before the House q tele-
| gram from Governor Geary announcing the
death at Harrisburg this morning of Hon. John
| Covode Representative from Pennsylvania,
and speaking of him as good citizen and valu-
able and faithful public servant and true pa
triot.