Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1883-12-21

WAmxxorou, Dec. N.-Cullom intrt
duoed q bill TO establish Q board q
railroad commissioners to regulate II
ter-state commerce..
Van Wyck's resolution Of yesterda
calling on the Secretary of the Interic
for information concerning lands grant
ed to railroads was called up.
Ingalls, had no objection to the res<
luton proper. bat objected to the pre-
amsle AZ tending to commit the Senat
to an Interpretation of the Suprem
Court.
| A message vas received from tn
House concu:ring in the Senate amend
| ment making the date of reassenbiin,
after the holidays, Monday, Januar.
7th.
Van WICK insisted upon his preamble
| as correct. In the course Of the debas,
he referred to the opinion of Attorne,
General Devens and Justice Harlan OF
the same subject, and criticized tn,
opinions as we'll as tine practice of tn,
general land Office. The Law Was lsil
down by those opinions rather than b,
the Sapreme Court Of the United States
Replying to question by Allison in re
gard TO Justice Harian's opinion. VaI
WICK said that strange, indeed marvel
Gus things had taken place in the Su
premo Court AS we'll as in the land lie
partnent of the Government in refer
ence to the public lands. He (VaI
Wyck) thought the Senator from lows
(AliisOn) would concede that fact: al
least there is abund mt evidence of j. il
b 4 4 scA I'D h.
ings of its people by the deprivation OF
their property. Millions of acres Of
public domain had been given to rail
preme Court decision referred to, which
they are not entitled to under that de-
cision, and although for the time the
cision, it generally followed the opinion
of Attorney General Devins and Justice
Harlan. This course Van WGck Gen.
sured.
The discussion was closed by inser-
ton IN the preamble the words 1T is
alleged" 30 as not to commit the Sen
ate to any special Interpretation Of the
supreme Court decision. So amended.
Van Wyok's resolution was agreed to.
A bill was introduced by Senator
Cullom to establish Board of Railroad
Commissioners to regulate inter State
commerce. 1t provides for the appoint
mens by the President of a board of
five commissioners with a salary of
5000 each, who shall exercise supervis-
ion over interstate commerce by rail-
roads, canal and other transportation
companies, and of the commerce of for
eign countries, and investigate all COM
plants made by Railroad Commission
ers of States in regard to descrimina-
tiOns of charges made by such transpOr-
tatiOn companies in their service as
common carriers.
Senator Miller (of New York; intro
duced bill to provide for the repeal of
the Law prohibiting the use of alcoholic
vapOr in the manufacture of vinegar
except in a duly authorized distillery.
The Senate then went into executive
session, and, on reOpening, resumed
consideration of the new rules, but at
ter short debate the matter vas post
poned until after the holiday recess.
The Chair laid before the Senate a
communication from the Secretary Of
the Interior, transmitting copies of pa
pers relating to the attempt to transfer
the Texas Pacific Railway Company's
land grant to the Southern Pacific Rail
way Company in Arizona, New Mexico,
and Colorado. The Secretary concludes
bis communication with the statement
that no action has been taken by the
department on the subject.
The Senate cOncurred in the joint
resolution of the House, relating to the
celebration of the centenary of surrender
Of WashingtOn's surrender of his COM
mission as Commander in Chief of the
patriot forces of America.
Adjourned till Monday.
HOUSE.
Blackburn, from the Committee on
Rules, reported a resolution providing
that hereafter the Committee on Post
Offices and Post Roads consist of if
teen members, and the Committees on
banking and currency, FOREIGN affairs,
military affairs, Territories, public
buildings, and the District of Columbia
of thirteen members each. He stated
that the increased membership fully
met the views Of the Speaker. The res
Olution was adopted.
Il WAS suggested by blackburn that
the Committee ON Foreign Affairs might
be divided, ana to q new committee
could be referred the whole Irish qucs-
ton. This also relieves the Speaker of
the trouble which. according to the
press, he experiences in appointing the
head of that committee.
Robinson New York; said that what
he complained of was not that Congress
did not pay attention to Irish citizens,
but that it shamefully neglected Ameri-
can citizens, and there had not been
energy and patriotism enough to con-
denim that As thoroughly az should
have been done.
Horr replied that no doubt that was
so, and owing to the fact that tho Com
mittee on Foreign Affairs had no time to
devote to the consideration of the great
question.
Hoblitzell, from the special COM
mittee having the matter in charge,
reported q joint resolution requesting
the President to issue proclamation
recommending that the people either
by appropriate exercises in connection
With religious services on the 23d inst,
or by such public observance as they
deem proper ON the 24th, commemorate
the surrerd der by Washington of his
commission al commander in chief of
the army. The President is also re-.
quested TO order q nati NAL salute from
the various forts in the country ON the
oath. The joint resolution passed.
Henley asked leave 70 introduce bill
to amend the execution of certain
treaty stipulations BY the Chinese act.
Weller objected. but subsequently
withdrew his objection, whom it was re-
newed by Skinner.
The House thereupon adjourned until
Monday.
PACIFIC COAST.
saw Mtll Banned.