Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-11
AT THE. CAPITOL TO-DAY.
DULLNESO PREVAILS IN BOTH HOUSES.
A RESOLUTION ABOUT THE SPANISH TREATY.
COMMITTEE MEETINGS AND OTHER MATTERS
The Senate.
THE SpaNrSu 1,pvAry

The Senate.
THE SPANISH TREATY.
After some routine business Mr.vanwyck offered
the following:
"Whereas, a commercial treaty Of great import
ance has been negotiated between the United
States and Spain. which was made public by the
King OF Spain TO such an extent that 1t cabled
from Madrid by the Times, of New York city, and
given to the American people by that journal be-
fore the same was presented with becoming SOL
emn1ty and secrecy to the Senate: and,
Whereas, the provisions of said treaty materially
affecting the subject Of revenues and taxation in
voving no serious questions of diplomacy and state
secrets, the discussion thereof should be in open
session. so that the people may be fully apprSed OF
the reasons why said treaty should be ratified or
rejected; therefore,
Resolced. That the committee on rules be direc-
ted TO report an amendment or additional rule
Quirtng that treaties which concern matters of
revenue shall be considered in open session.
On objection of Mr.. Wilson the matter went over
one day.
Mr.. Balr's resolution Offered yesterday direct
Ing the committee on naval affairs to examine
Capt ErcSonS inventions relating to guns, torpe-
does, ETC., was agreed to.
on motion OF Mr. Coke, the bill providing for the
Improvement or Galveston harbOr was made the
special order for January Sth.
THE OREGON LAND FORFEITURE BILL.
Consideration OF the oregon Central land for
feiture bill was then resumed.
House OF. f.Kepresentatives.
The desks of half dozen democratic members
were ornamented this morning by ROSTERS OF bril-
liant plumage.
Mr.. Hancock CTexas) from the committee on ap-
preparations, reported the invalid pension apprO-
priation bill, and it was referred to the committee
OF the whole.
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE BILL
The House then resumed the consideration of the
interstate commerce bill.
Mr.. Giasscock (Cal) directed his remarks more
especially to the consideration of the evils which
grew out OF the system OF "pooling" adopted by
the railroad companies. He advocated strict pro-
hlbitiOn of this system.
Mr. Dunn [Ark.) favored the substitute. He OBJ
1ected to the appointment OF commission.
District i'm Congress.
PROPOSED BUILDING FOR THE ARMY MEDICAL MUSEUM
At meeting Of the House committee on public
buildings and grounds to-day the chairman was
authorized to try to secure the passage next Mon-
day, under suspension Of the rules. OF bill re-
ported from the committee, which appropriates
$sO0,OO0 for an army medical museum building in
this city.
The question of new city post Office for WASH
tngton was talked Of informally.
THE BILL TO RELIEVE THE POLICE.
Mr.. Poland, OF Vermont, moved in the House yes
terday afternoon to suspend the rules and take up
the bill to relieve the metropolitan police OF the
District. Objection was made and the matter Welt
over.
CapitOl Topics.
THE SHIPPING COMMITTEE.
At It's meeting this morning the House commit
tee on American ship owning and ship building in
terests discussed briefly the provisions Of the bill
introduced by Representative Cox, OF New York.
regard TO advance wages. The committee will
give hearing to any interested In the question
on edneSda next, at 10 O'Clock.
THE SPANISH TREATY.
The Senate has removed the Injunction Of
secrecy from the Spanish treaty, and it win be
printed for public distribution
Minister Foster said TO a STAR reporter that he
would be glad to have fhe treaty considered openly
commercial value to the country and would like to
have IL thoroughly discussed before the whole
country. Secretary Frelinghuysen is also quoted
as favorng open sessions for the discussion OF this
treaty. Senator Van Wyck says that his reSolu-
toh m nd lnerod9eea To-Day as noticed above VIII have
late TO throw 1t into secret session.
MLEAN VS.. BROADHEAD.
The subcommittee OF the House committee on
elections having in charge the contested election
case OF Mclean VS.. Broadhead, OF Missouri. Will
report to the full committee in favor OF Broadhead
MARINE SIGNALS.
The President to-day transmitted to the Senate
report OF the Secretary OF State showing the neces
sity for immediate legislation for the purpose OF
bringing the statutes of the United States into
conformity with the international regulations for
preventing collisions at sea. which regulations
have now been adopted by all the leading mari
time powers except this country.
THE MEXICAN PENSION BILL
The republicans of the House at their caucus last
night adopted resolution that the Mexican pen
sion bill, amended by the Senate is entitled to
our hearty and active support, and that we will
support any and every effort to have the same bill
considered and passed at the earliest possible day.
EN.Speaker keifer. Representative Connor and
others were directed by the caucus to endeavor to
devise method OF relieving the bill from its EN-
barraSSmentS.
THE PROPOSED INVESTIGATION OF LEASES OF INDIAN
LANDS.
The Senate committee on Indian affairs have
held one meeting on the subject OF the Vest reso-
luton directing investigation into the leases OF
Indian lands for grazing purposes There was
disposition on the part OF some members to defer
the investigation until next summer on the ground
that the present session Is so short and there is so
much to attend to that Senators could not give
time to the inquiry without neglecting other duties
the inquiry without delay. Senator Vest appeared
before the committee and submitted the basis OF
his charges and list OF witnesses by whom the
fraud in procuring the leases, he Sad could be
proved. A resolution calling upon the Secretary
or the Interior for detailed statement OF the leases
the acreage SO occupied, prices paid, ETC., was
adopted.
THE PACIFIC RAILROAD DEBT QUESTION.
Yesterday Mr.. RoSewater, editor OF the Omaha
Bee, made an argument before the Senate judiciary
committee against the bill to take up the debt OF
the Union Pacific railroad due the government and
fund 1t into new bonds to run for sixty years at
three per cent interest. The committee decided to
appoint a subcommittee TO take charge OF the
Pacific railroads. debt question, and to call upon
Hon. Charles Francis Adams for further tnrorma-
ton on the subject.