Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1884-07-07
F0RTY-RIGHIn CONGRESS-.
First s~ession-

WAsHlNe1oN. lalr 5.

Today, on motion of Mr. Cullom, the Sen
ate took up the bill 10 establish n commits sion
10 regulate Interstate commerce. Ii pro-
viies for the appointment Of a commission u
consist of I'VE commissioners q. 4 salary OF
$500 each, who shall have the supervision
Of all matters pertaining to the regulation of
commerce between the States, and the meth
ois OF operating railroad companies engaged
in interstate commerce. Sixty thousand
dollars is appropriated for the purpose Of the
commission for Its first years operation.
hr. Cullom said that in the presentation OF
this bill there Was no intention of depressing
the railroad companies. The State commits
sioners for regulating railroads had operated
TO the advantage Of the people and Of the
companies, so far as the powers of the CON-
mlssioIers extended, bat. as railroads had
spread themselves all over the continent, a
national commission was necessary 10 an ad-
justment Of the interests Of the whole people
and the roads. II was his belief that very
considerable power should be given to the
national commissioners TO settle disputes in
order TO avoid too much litigation. This
would be beneficial to both the people and
the companies.
The Interstate commerce bill was post
poned until December.
Mr.. Allison presented the conference re.
port on the legislative appropriation bill.
The House agrees on everything except on
three points-namely, those relating to the
contingent fund of the Senate (which pro-
yides for the compensation Of senator's
elerks), the printing in the Congressional
Record of speeches not delivered. and the
reduction of internal revenue collectors and
customs collectors.
The Senate insisted upon its amendments
and appointed another committee Of confer
ence.
On motion Of Mr.. Miller of New York, the
inter state commerce bill was then postponed
until December next.
Mr. Logan submitted the report Of the con.
ference committee on the fortification bill, 10
which the Senate agreed.
On motion of Mr.. Blair the Senate proceed
ed TO the consideration Of the House bill to
prohibit the Importation of foreigners under
contract or agreement to perform labor in the
United States.
During the reading of the report of this
bill the Senate went into executive session,
and at 4.55 a recess was taken until O'Clock
this evening.
WASHINGTON, July G.
At $50 A. NJ, the Senate further insisted
on the amendment 10 the consular bill and
reappointed conference committee.
A message was received from the House
announcing an agreement to the forlifcatiOn
bill and that the speaker had signed it, The
president of the Senate at once announced
his own signature.
At o'clock q message was received from
the House announced the final adjustment of
the sundry civil bill by a recession of the
House from disagreements relating TO the
compensation Of United States attorneys and
marshals, but with the sundry reductions Of
the amount appropriated by the Senate for
the fees of these officers.
The Senate conferees submitted their re-
port concerning the proposed reductions.
The report was agreed to and the bill finally
disposed of.
The Senate then took a recess until 8
p. VI
On reassembling the Senate went into
executive session and when the doors re-
opened took recesses at intervals until 6
o'clock.
Shortly after o'clock Mr.. Hale submitted
the conference report on the deficiency bill.
The House had receded from q disagreement
to compensation of senator's clerks and all
other dissgreements on the bill had been
adjusted by mutual concession. The report
was agreed to.
The Senate adjourned to 10 o'clock Mon
day.
uoYse
The House met this morning at 9 o'clock
with not more than half a dozen members in
attendance.
As there were no conference reports in
readiness, a recess was taken until ii o'clock.
AT ii o'clock Mr.. Thompson of Kentucky
asked leave to offer a resolution directing
the sub committee of the committee on the
Pacific railroads to investigate the affairs of
the Union Central and Northern Pacific Rail-
road companies, and report what was the cost
of building these roads. whether at any time
the net earnings of either of them have been
greater than 10 per cent. of the cost, and
whether the right to fix by law the rates of
fares over those roads should be exercised by
the United States. Also whether the recent
report of the government accountants was
suppressed and withheld, altered or modified
by any one. and, il so, by whom, at whose
instance and for what purpose; whether any
contract or combination was entered into by
any officials of said railroads and officers of
the government, to delay action on the part
whether any funds or securities of said roads
have been misappropriated or misapplied.
The committee is authorized to sit during the
recess At such points as it may see fit.
Mr.. McCoid Of Iowa objected.
Mr. Davis of Missouri, from the committee
on elections. submitted report in the Ala
bama contested election case Of Craig VS..
CPally The Recommending resolution de-