New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-02-11
CURRENT TOPICS AT THE CAPITAL.
TUE srrAupo.T MIL IN THE SENATE


WASHINGTON. Wednesday Feb. 10. 1915. .
slight passage at arms between Messrs Chandler
and Conkling occurred in the Senate to-day on the
subject of the Steamboat bill which Mr. Chandler as
Chairman of the Committee on Commerce supported
and Mr.. Conkling has opposed with such tenacity OF
purpose. The latter proposed the recommitta OF the
BILL charging that it had never been considered by tho
whole committee, which fact he had learned from
inquiry of every member. If the bill, after being
considered by the committee, should be reported
back TO the Senate on Saturday or Monday, he prom
ised to withdraw his opposition and abide by
the decision of the Senate. Mr.. Chandler stated
that the bill had been before the Committee Tor
years, and that Subcommittee, composed OF
Messrs. Conkling, Boutwell, and Buckingham, had
taken charge Of it, and that it with the greatest
difficulty and only after the lapse of considerable
time that it could be obtained from them.
These charges Mr. ConklDg denied in toto. asserting
that the Sub Committee has worked diligently and
faithfully with the aid of experts, and that
the only delay occurred from the illness
of Messrs Boutwell, and buckingham. Mir.
Chandler remained unmOved by this, and
no further alteration ensued There is much
speculation rs to the reason OF MIR. Conkhngs APP
parent surrender to this measure which he has
fought SO pertinaciOusly and successfully Tor four
years. few days ago, when the biil came came
mp, he stated that he had more than forty
amendments to offer 10 1t, and also SPOKE
sharply of the persistency and numbers
of the lobby in its favor, aud of the newspapers
ready to pour ont abuse upon those VINO oppose ~,
and yet to-day he proposes to oer no long oppoS-
ton to it if it is reconmitted and reported back at
early date. Possibly he believes that the Cohl-
mitee will not report 1t.
NO CHANCE FOR THE HENNEPTN CANAL
The Hennepin Canal bill, which viii como up
again in the House within few days as the unfn-
shcd business has now no chance of success. The
overwhelming vote by which this bill was taken up
for consideration and made SPECIAL order. surprised
many who had supposed that tho sentiment of the
House was strongly opposed to all of the subsidy
and internal improvement schemes. careful in
curry now discloses the fact that part OF the
heavy vote referred to came from men who intended
all of the time to vote against the bill, but who
were willing that it should have fair consideration;
and that another and greater part of it was COM
posed of men who were pledged TO the support OF
Mr. Scott's Texas Pacific BILL and who had agreed
TO "lOc-roll" with the friends of the Hcnnepin
Canal bill. Under this arrangement tine advocates
of the latter measure felt very confident Oi ats sue
q spcciai order the contest over the Civii Righfs
bill and the new rule took place. Inc course or
some Of the supporters OF the canal scheme in regard
to these measures has Offended Iaany Of the Southern
and South W estern members, VINO now say that
they will vote against the Hennepin bill. no matter
what may be the fate OF the Texas and Pacihc Dill
CONTRACT AND SUBSIDY OF PACIFIC MAIL Elk.
The House voted almost unanimously to-day to
repeal the act of 1872 granting the additional sub
sidy TO the Pacific Mail steamship Company, and
directing the losmas rGeneral to anuul the con-
tract for the additional service which has been made
with that Company. An amendment of this kind to
the Post-OfGce Appropriation bill was made in order
by a suspension of rules on Monday of last week. and
when it was moved to-day by Mr.. John G. Smith
only two men rushed TO the rescue of the subsidy.
One of these men was Mr.. Negley OF Pennsylvania,
who protested and made points of order; the other
was Mr. Page Of California. The vote taken with
out q word Of debate or explanation aud without a
division not more than half dozen members vot-
ing in the negative.
ANOTHER ATTEMPT TO REVIVE THE FRANKlNG
ABUSE
The House ia likely to have the old fight over the
Thanking abuse on its hands again whenever it re-
sumes the consideration Of the Post-Olice Appropri-
alton bill Gen. Coburn Of Indiana, just before the
close Of the afternoon session to-day. introduced an
amendment to allow seeds and public documents
mailed by Government officials and members OF
Congress TO 20 through the mails free. The present
seems TO be rather an unfortunate time to introduce
such proposition as this, wnen the deficiencies Oh
the Agricultural Department for next year are estl
mated at 81 $4,000 more than they were last year.