Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-04-17
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
PENSION BILL IN THE HOUSE.
VARIOUS MATTERS IN THE SENATE.


The Senate.
AGAINST UNFAIR DISCRIMINATION IN rkASsPoRTA-
TION RATES.
Mr.. Wilson offered the following preamble and
resolution, which, at his request. were permitted TO
lie On the table, to be by him called up in few
days for reference to committee. when he will ask
unanimous consent to make some remarks on the
subject involved:
Whereas the Constitution delegates to Congress
the power ITO regulate commerce with foreign
nations and among the several states With the
Indian tribes: Therefore, be Ii
ResOlred, That II Is competent for Congress in
the exercise OF the power delegated. To provide
10y law for Stlch regulation Of the transportation OF
commerce among the several states shall include
a system OF maximum and minimum rates OF
charge Tor the same; for free competition within
the limits so fixed; for the prohibition OF diScrini
nation OF any kind whatever either In favor OF or
against cities, towns or other localities. whether
the same be competing or nOn-competIng points;
Tor applying the same principles To TRANS
portaton for individuals firms associations or cor
poratlonS, In all matters relating 10 commerce
among the states for the preservation and enforce
mtnt OF The right OF shippers To select the lines and
parts OF lines over which their shipments shall
pass TO the end that shippers may avail themselves
of all rail- or part rail and part water vi the
country for the prevention of such pooling arrange
menS and agreements to refrain from just compa-
tlon, as may tend TO impose unreasonab.e burdens
upon such commerce between the states. for the
protcctlon OF such commerce against unjust eXac-
lions based on class OF securities commonly de-
nominated "watersd stocks" and for tine promo
ton Of The true interests OF both the corporations
employed In such transportation and the people
and localities engaged i'll such commerce, by an
enforcement OF the principles hereinbefore stated,
and thereby induce harmony and stability in the
affairs Oi such corporations. people ana localities
THE STAR ROUTE PROSECUTIONS
The Senate then, on motion OF Mr.. Morrill,, at
12.2 p H.. went into executive session, and on The
doors being reOpened. at 1855 the chair laid before
the Senate a communication from the Attorney
General in reply 10 recent resolution Of the Senate
retailing 10 stor route prosecutions On motion Of
Mr Van "yck II vas referred TO the committee On
the ju1ic!ary.
Mr.. Co2Hrell introduced bill to provide for the
appointment OF q missouri river commission TO
carry into effect plans for the improvement OF said
river from II mouth to Its head waters.
The Senate. proceeding to the consideration OF
bilis on the five-mnute calendar, took up the bill
10 authorize the Secretary OF War 10 and set
tie the account for arms between tine state OF
South Carolina and the government OF the United
States. After some discussion the bill was paSSed-
yeas 30, nays IL.
THE SENATE IN EXECUTIVE SESSION ON COLLECTOR
wICKERS CASE.
The Senate went into executive session very soon
after assembling to-day, and the case OF Collector
Wicker, OF Key West. Fla. who was recommen led
for removal by the President on the charge Of hay-
ing SymDathiZed with and aided the CUBAN inSur-
gents, vas taken up. IL appears that Wicker Is
charged with having actively aided the Insurgents.
and that some notice has been taken OF his conduct
10y the Spanish government. As this rails I'd in-
ternational qu.Si IN the President preferred not TO
act upon his responsibility alone, but to ask for the.
advice and consent OF the Senate in making The
moyal- The matt er was referred to the committee
on commerce and report submitted I'm favor OF
compliance with the Presidents recommendation
OIL rtlioFtl In the executive session today imme-
diate action was proposed but op; oStion was made
aha the subject Went iothe calendar. 1t Will come
UP at the next executive session, when IL Is said
that fight will be made in his behalf by Wickers
friends.
The House.
TIE PROPOSED BROOKLYN INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Dibb,e Is. c.. from the committee on public
lands, reported IN the House to-day resolution
Du r bn NJ tha i,for
nation relating to the purchase OF site for the
public building at Brooklyn. y. Y, and directing
that committee " make investigation into the
subject.
Mr James q. y said that during his absence
yesterday his colleague (Mr. skinner had objected
to the consideration OF the resolution. A New York
paper had referred TO this action In manner prelu
dcial TO him. and he wished say that the objec-.
ton had been made without any knowledge on his
part, and out OF pure courtesy the part OF his
colleague Had he been present he would not have
objected. He had no reason TO doubt that every
transaction In connection with The selection or the
Site was honest and upright.
Mr. skinner characterized as absolutely false the
statement made in New York paper that his OBJ
lection had been made at the private request OF
Mr. James.
The resolution was then adopted
Mr. Belmont y. y presented petition OF the
teachers an students iii the Cooper Union in favor
VI aponsilihg the duty on works OF art Referred
THE PENSION APPROPRIATION BILL
The morning hour having been dispensed with,
whole Nr Springer. of Illinois, In the chair on the
pension appropriation bill.
The District i'm Congress.
VALUATION OF PROPERTY
Mr.. Sherman to-day offered in the Senate reso-
luton, which was adopted, directing the District
Commissioners to report to the Senate the valua-
tion OF the property In the District according to
the assessment OF 1878 and 1888, showing the num-
Der OF square feet in each square in the city OF
Washington, and the value of the grounds and i'm.
prOVelleDtS thereon
RAILROAD ROUTES N TUE CITY.
The subject OF railroad routes through the city
Will not be taken up the regular meeting of the
Senate District committee tomorrow. It Will be
considered at Il special session next Monday, when
the Pennsylvania railroad officials will be given an
other hearing.
Capitol Topics.
TARIFF REFORM IN THE SENATE.
Some OF the tariff reforlners express the belief
that If good tariff reduction bill passes the House
1t can be got through the Senate. On the repub-
lcan side 1t is said that Senators Van WycS and
Sabtn would vote Tor such bill
THE BL AIR EDUCATIONAL BILL
The House committee on education to-day de-
clded to ask that the Blair educational bill which
recently passed the Senate, be taken from the
Speakers table and referred to the committee.
THE AMERICAN COLLEGE AT ROME.
At meeting OF the House committee on foreign
affairs to-day Representative Curtin was directed
to report resolution calling upon the State de-
partment for the papers and correspondence rela-
tive to the cOnfScat1on OF the American college at
Rome. Representative Hit authorized to
favorably report resolution authorizing the Presi-