Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-12-18
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
TIE COLOR QUESTION IN THE HOUSE.
MccULLocHs NOMINATION CONFIRMED.
The ScnaRte.

denying the suffrage rights of women. Mr. Hoar
said that while he favored woman suffrage he
thought it unwise in the present temper OF Con-
gress for the advocates OF that oppose the
admission Of new state on the grounds set forth.
Mr.. Platt reported fayorably from the committee
on contingent expenses, and the Senate agreed to-
the resolution providing fJr the payment OF the
expenses incurred by Senators and Senate en-
poyeS IN attending the funeral OF the late Senator
Anthony.
RESOLUTION DECLARING THE NICARAGUA CANAL
SURVEY EXPEDITION ILLEGAL
Mr. Vest submitted a joint resolution declaring
that without the consent or authority OF Congress
the proposed Nicaragua surveying expedition, Or
dered by the secretary of the Navy. was Illegal,
ana directing that Secretary not TO enforce the or
derS issued on the subject until definite and final
action by Congress on the resolution.
On Mr. Hale'S objection the resolution went over
one day, Mr. Vest saying he would call IL up to-
morrow, as the expedition under orders tc sail
from New York on Saturday, and prompt action
was necessary.
THE LAFAYETTE STATUE BILL PASSED.
MI. Sherman called up and the Senate passed the
bill appropriatng $4,000 for the purpose OF erect
Ing statue to the memory OF Gen. Lafayette. AS
passed, 1t provides Tor the appointment of a COM
mission composed OF three Senators and three Rep
resentatives TO carry out the purpose contem-
plated,
Among bills introduced were two by Mt Van
Nyck. one TO Increase the pensions OF widows and
dependent relatives Of deceased soldiers and Sailors
the other to grant pensions to invalid and depend
tuJ WHO ScTNpu GUTee UlOntuS OuTiuS Tue
OF the rebellion. The bills were referred TO the
committee on military affairs
Mr. MCULoCH's NOMINATION.
At p. m.. on motion OF Mr.. Morrill, the Senate
went into executive session The doors being closed
Senator Riddeberger continued his speech In oppo-
sition 10 the confirmation of Hugh McCulloch to be
secretary OF the Treasury.
THE NoMINATIoN CONFIRMED.
The Senate confirmed the nomination OF Secre-
tary McCullOch by a vote of so to1.
House of Representatives.
THs COLOR AMENDMENT TO THE INTERSTATE CON-
MERGE BILL.
Immediately after the reading OF the journal the
House resumed consideration Of the Interstate COM
merce bill, the pending question being on the mo-
tfon to table the motion to reconsider the vote by
which the House yesterday adopted Mr. Goff's
amendment, providing that in the transportation
OF passengers railroad companies shall make no
discrimination on account or race OF color.
The motion TO reconsider was tabled-yeaS, l40;
nays. 10S.
modattonS with equal facilities and equal comforts
at the same charges, shall not be considered dis
elimination.
The amendment was agreed to-yeas, I3l: nays,
124.
The further consideration OF the bill was post
pOned for a few moments, in order to allow the
House TO non-concur In the Senate amendments TO
the bill making temporary provision Tor the naval
service.
Messrs Randall, Holman and Long were ap-
pointed cOnfereeS.
MR.. REAGAN DEMANDS THE PREVIOUS QUESTION.
When the Interstate commerce bill was again
taken up MI. Reagan fTexasl demanded the previ-
Gus question on the first section.
The point OF order was made that as the bill was
being considered as in committee OF. the whole 1t
was not competent for the House. 10 take any ac-
ton which would prevent the offering OF amend
men is aud discussion under the five minute rule
After long debate the Speaker said he thought
that the gentlemans motion was at least preiaa-
ture. and for the present he declined to entertain
the demand for the prtv!ouS4ueStiOn.
Mir Reagan then moved to limit debate on the
section to five minutes, but the Speaker declined TO
entertain tie motion. The effect or these rulings
was TO leave the house in parliamentary talgle
and unable to limit the debate
Capitol Topics.
THE BARKER INVESTIGATION CLOSED.
The investigation OF the first controllers Office
was completed by the Springer committee yester-
day. and the committee vii! make their report after
the holidays. This Will. beyond a doubt, declare
that the charges made by MIR. Barker were not sus-
tatned.
VOTED FOR EVERY DEMOCRATIC CANDIDATE FOR
PRESIDENT SINCE MONROE
Col Chester, of Tennessee. to-day delivered the
electoral vote OF that state to the Vice President
Col Chester is 81 years old, but he is active and
vigorous He voted for Monroe, and has cast vote
for every d. emocratic presidential candidate since
He was contemporary OF Gen. Andrew Jackson
and is yet man OF nfaence In the politics OF his
state. Hon. A :. Colyar editor OF the Nashville
American, is with Col. Chester.
THE CoNFEREEs ON THE ELECTORAL BILL
met in the Senate elections committee room today,
but no agreement was reached. II does not seem
probable that the wide difference between the two
houses on this subject can be recOnciled-
AGAINST THE SPANISH TREATY.
Senators and Representatives are being deluged
With letters from all parts OF the country protest
Ing against the ratification OF the Spanish treaty
The mOlasses men have joined with sugar and to
hnoa nd M a m
the treaty. They say that the nlolaSseS interests
will be irreparably injured II the treaty goes Into
effect. The leaders on the democratic side OF the
House are opposed to the treaty, because it en-
croacheS upon the revenue rights OF the House, and
say that II 1t should be ratified by the Senate the
House would not make appropriations pass any
act necessary to put it into effect Mr. Randall,
speaking with STAR reporter on the subject yes
terday, declared his opposition to the treaty, and
said iJ would not be ratified. He receives. he says,
large number of letters every day protesting
against 1t.
LETTER CARRIERS AND THE EIaHT.HouR LAW.
In reply to request OF the House tha: Attorney
General Brewster should give his opinion as to
whether the eigfit-hour law applies to the letter
carriers, that official declines, saying that the law
and precedents do not permit him to give opinions
to either branch OF Congress, but to the President
and heads OF departments only.
THE COLOR LINE IN TIE HOUSE.
While the Interstate commerce bill was up in the
House yesterday on motion to reconsider the
O'Hara resolution concerning the observance OF the
color line in travel In the south, the debate was
continued for some time after Tbs STARS report
closed, the members on both sides being greatly
excited at the revival OF the color line question,
and the friends Of the bill charging that the QueS-
tton was brought up for the purpose OF killing the
interstate commerce bill. MIR. Breckenridge (Ark.)
offered a substitute for Mr. CriSpS amendment
concerning the rights Of railroad companies to have
separate cars for white and cOlored people,
make 1t read sthat nothing In this act shall be con-
srIed to deny TO railroads the right to provide sep
accommodations naSSQuTprS m "
deem best for the public comfort or SAFETY
late to transportation between points wholly
within the limits OF state" After bitter de-
bate this was agreed TO, and the Crisp amendment
thus changed was adopted by vote OF 137 to 131.
An amendment offered by Mr. Mills (Texas), pro-
hibiting any railroad company from charging to or
receiving from any person. who Is to be conveyed
from state territory to another, any sum ex-
ceeding cents per mile for the distance to be
Travelled by such person, was adopted. MI. Con
offered an amendment to the Crisp amendment
already adopted providing that no discrimination
shall be made on account OF color, which was
adopted. Pending further action the House ad-
1Ourned
The publication Of treaties in different newspa-
pers led to some comment in executive session this
afternoon upon the facility with which the press
gets possession OF executive secrets
The Senate yesterday passed the naval aprrO-
priaton bill substantially as It came from the Cum
mittee.-
Mr. Randall's Southern Trip.
Mr. M'ADoo SAYS IT HAS NO REFERENCE 10 III.
sPEAKERsHIP-NR. RANDALL NOT LOOKING FOB A
CABINET PLACE.
Mr.. McAdo0. Of New Jersey, win accompany Mr..
Rapdall So,,t horn tr;n uo t1,o tr1v,