The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-03
BY TELEGRAPH.
WASHINGTON.
SENATE CAUCUS ACTION ON TRANSPORTATION
QUESTION.

QUESTION.
WASHINGTON, Feb 1-At a caucus meeting
OF Republican members of the Senate several
weeks ago committee was appointed to re-
port what action should be taken this session
on the transportation question.
Senator Window, of Minnesota who for
the past two years has been Chairman of the
Select Committee on Transportation Routes
to the Seaboard, was appointed Chairman of
this Caucus Committee, and to-day, in its be-
half, reported to the caucus, which was spe-
cially convened to determine the party's
action on the subject.
He Submitted the following preamble and
resolutions which were, with almost entire
unanimity, adopted and authorized to be
made public. They will be offered to the
Senate Tomorrow, when, of course, they will
be ratified.
Whereas, the power to regulate commerce
among the several States conferred upon Con-
gress by the Constitution includes the power
to aid and facilitate commerce by the en-
ployment OF such means as may be appro-
pirate and plainly adapted to that end, and
Congress may, therefore, in its discretion,
provide for the improvement or creation of
such channels or highways of commerce as
will, In its Judgment, afford tho cheapest and
best facilities for the interchange of COM
modties between the different States of the
Union; and
Whereas, it is believed that the thorough
and systematic improvement of the Missis-
sippi River including an adequate channel at
its mouth; the connection of the Mississippi
River with the lakes, by means of the Fox
and Wisconsin improvement and the Hen
nepin Canal the speedy completion of
the Improvements between Lakes Supe-
rior and Huron, Lakes Huron and
Erie, the thorough and systematic improve
ment OF the Ohio and Kanawha, and of the
Tennessee rivers. are works of great national
importance, and of immediate and pressing
necessity which, when completed, will ma
tetially reduce the cost of transportation, and
thereby diminish the burdens now borne by
the Industrial interests of the country; there
fore,
BE Il resoleel, That in add ion to the usual
and necessary appropriations made in the
river and harbot bill, for work already under
charge of the Government including the Mis-
souri, River, the Committee on Commerce be
instructed to insert in said bill, such sums as,
in their Judgment, having due regard
to the recommendations of the Chief
OF Engineers Of the commission appointed to
report upon the mouth of the Mississippi
River, can be judiciously and economically
expended, during the next fiscal year, upon
the improvements above indicated, looking
to their speedy completion and the wants of
our rapidly increasing internal commerce
WAsHNGTos, Feb. 2-Judge Dennee de-
parted homeward to night.
Senator West telegraphed to-day to Gov.
Kellogg urging that the Louisiana Legislature
should re-convey to the United States two
acres of swamp land for each dollar that shall
lie apr plated TO aid in rebuilding the levees.
He thinks this offers some hope for relief.
The House Republic MS attempted to hold
a sly Caucus tonight. Notice was given by
the pages to the members, instead Of by the,
usual formal announcement. 1t was failure.
There was great excitement in the House
to-day rpon the Speaker remarking in re-
spouse 10 point of order made in a speech
by S. S. Cox, that he Cox was familiar
enough with the rules to know that his
speech was made for dramatic effect.
Cox's remarks were that he had been on the
Committee on Rules for years. and he never
knew such an Infringement as that he now COR
emplated. He offered his resignation as q
member Of that committee. At this point the
Speaker made the offensive remark.
Randall has previously rendered his resig-
nation as a member of the committee. Cox
said the Speaker had no right to question
his motives. or to say he made speech for
dramatic effect.
Lamar asked whether the chair had tho
right to question any motive of any member?
Speaker said, no; but that it had been iuti-
mated that he ruled unjustly, and he might
therefore be excused fromspeaking somewhat
freely.
Mr. Cox said he had not said that the
Speaker ruled unj justly
Speaker inquired whether both the gentle
men (AIessrs. Cox and RandaD did not know
that the question Of their designations could
not be entertained now.
Mr. Ran 1all said the Speaker had 20 right
to question his motives.
Speaker-Does the gentleman say his resig-
nation was in order?
Mr. Randall replied that it was, when he
made it, but the Speaker had ruled it out.