St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-04-26
CONGRESSIONAL.
Senator Wilson on Railway MOnopo-
lies And Legislation Affecting
The Same.
The House Of Representatives Engaged on
The Private Calendar, and Make
Little Progress.
The Senate.

the naval appropriation, with the exception
of the amendment providing for an arma-
ment for the steel cruisers already in course
of construction.
| Senator Hale moved that the senate insist
| in its amendment, and appoint committee
On conference. Agreed to.
| Senator Sherman reported favorably from
the committee on library resolution provid-
ing for deposit in the Smithsonian institute
| the silk frg presented to the senate by Jo-
seph Newman, California, being the first
American flag made from American silk.
| Agreed to.
Senator Blair, from the com mitteee on edu-
cation and labor, reported favorably the house
bill to establish and maintain bureau OF
labor statistics. Also, the bill introduced IN
the senate to provide for the study of physi-
ology and the effects of intoxicating, narcotic
and poisonous substances on life, health and
welfare among the people of the territories
and thu District of Columbia. Placed on the
calendar.
Senator Wilson addressed the senate on
his joint resolution recently submitted, and
several bills already introduced relating to
interstate commerce. He said, that while
our material resources had been rapidly ad-
vancing, our science law making had not
had not been able to fit our
laws to new conditions, hence the
| painfully felt the jolt and friction Of our on
ward movement. He was not unmindful Of
the great difficulties surrounding the ques-
ton, but it was not exceptional in that re-
spect. Every element of our extraordinary
progress had involved great difficulties, but
that fact only made more imperative the
necessity of giving the subject prompt and
intelligent attention. conviction had
grown up in the country that the time had
come for the national government to exer-
else its undoubted power TO regulate inter
state commerce. This was not to be done
in any revengeful spirit as public laws wer e
not the repositories for resentment. He
would not enter into a discussion OF the
question of the right of congress to regulate
| such commerce that had been specifically
| nominated in the bond" of the constitution
He reviewed the history ofrailroad growth in
| the United States, and continuing, said,
| for many Of the complications resulting that
the growth of the National and State govern
ment were largely responsible. They little
thought, how the free servant may in time,
become the master, and so they refrained
from hampering and restraining railroads.
When newspapers, or forces in civilization
first appeared, they were allowed latitude.
! 1t had not been suspected that the powers
given and the grants made to railroad COM
panys would lead to the results that followed
They were regarded as agencies to build VI
cities, unfold riches, and promote the gener-
al welfare. There has been failure to duly
consider the checks and balances necessary
to keep railroad in harmony with the many
delicate interests it affected. Experience
has been needed to show the hopeful effect;
of its unregulated management. Now
the demand of the people from all parts Of
the country was that railroads be put under
control. Experience has shown it to be ne
eessary. 1t was not merely the question Of
land grant forfeitures 1t was more than
that. If every unearned land grant were al
once declared forfeited, there would remain
the great commercial question. 1t was un
fortunate the attorney general had not long
since been directed by congress to take lega
steps to recover all unearned land grants
because delay in the courts would not endan
ger the right of the people, while delay il
congress does so. The commencement o.
the action in the court was notice to every
body, discussion in congress was a notice
to nobody. He didn't know that it would
not even now be the best course
for congress to pursue, to have al
of these land grant controversies
sent to the courts. This would still leave fo
congress the great commercial question in
| volved. Railroads had denied the right O.
congress to regulate them. The fact that thu
railroad interest has become so strong as Il
make this denial squarely was the stronges
| symptom that could be presented necessarily
for regulation. Not only was government
regulation necessary in the interests of thu
people, but it was equally necessary In tn,
interests of the railroad themselves. The alb
sence of all good faith in the observations o
their mutual agreements had become proven
bal. 1t was matter Of common scandal
Pool after pool was formed, only to be disre
garded. The leading railroad men, while
loudly Directing to government Legislation
concerning their affairs, were compelled t.
confess the failure of their own legis
lative efforts; for what were the meeting
1 of the general railroad agents and pool man
ayers, but meetings for legislation. Indeed
railroad magnates had come to be so grea
that they did not hesitate to exercise power
that by the constitution were forbidden t
congress
Senator Wilson characterized as monstrou
and intOlerable the Determinations by rail
road companies not only against places bu
against different people doing business il
the same place. 1t could not he said, b
left to any railroad company to say how or t.
whom business should be distributed in thi
country. Every man should have and equa
chance and not be Disseminated against
People have become eXasperated at these
determinations, and their complaints coul,
not be brushed aside bv the plausible figure
showing q reduction of average rates. TIL
argument of average rates, was no answer t
the outrageous discrimination, or to tn
capricious and unstable conditions of bust
ness. If railroad managers had been abb
to show they had treated all their shipper
alike they would have made much bette
case The joint resolution was referred t
the committe on railroads
The pleuro pneumonia bill was then take1
, UP, and Senator Plumb said, on Monday h
would ask the senate to come to a vote OF
the bill. Adjourned until Monday.
Just before adjournment message wa
received from the house announcing non
concurrence in the senate amendments o.
the postoffice appropriation bill. The senat
insisted on its amendments, and the chat
appointed Senators Plumb Allison an,
Beck committee to confer with like com
| tha + IF tba
Another message was announced, that tn
house agreed to the report of the conferenc
committee on the differences in relation
the special deficiency appropriation bill. TIL
senate also agreed The chair announced d
| com nittee of con ferencn ON the mart of til