National Republican., 1884-02-28
Continuation Of the Discussion on the Addi-
tiOnal Steel Cruisers Bill.
A Lively Little Tilt Between Senators
Vest and Butler
Senator Van Wyck Anxious 10 Know II the ". q,
and B. G. 0. Companies Have Consolidated.
Completion OF the Debate on the P1euro-
Pneumonia Bill in the House.
THE SENATE.

THE SENATE.
Tho following bills were reported favorably
from the committee and placed on the calendar:
By Mr.. Dawes from the committee on Indian
affairs: The bill providing for the allotment OF
lands in severalty to Indians residing on the
Umatilla reservation in the state Of Oregon.
by Mr.. Malone, from the committee on public
buildings and grounds: The bill authorizing the
erection Of a public building at Augusta, Ga.
The following bills were introduced and appro-
priately referred:
By Mr.. Blair: To extend tho time for the COM
pleton of railroads west Of the Mississippi river 10
which grants of public lands have been made,
which are in good faith prosecuting the work OF
construction without forfeiture of such grant, and
10 provide for the forfeiture OF land grants In
BY Mr. Lapham. To incorporate the Yellow
Stone Park RAILROAD, and to aid in tile construc-
by Mr.. seweil To grant pension to Louisa
Fitzpatrick, widow af Gen. Judson Fitzpatrick.
BY Mr.. Morgan; To appropriate money for the
Improvement of the bay and harbor of Mobile.
Mr.. Van Wyck offered tho following resolution,
for which he asked immediate consideration:
ResJircd. That the committee on postofices and
postroads be directed to inquire whether at any
time the Western Union and Baltimore and Ohio
Telegraph companies or any officers or employees
OF said companies, have entered into contract
or negotiation for the purpose of consolidating
said companies or making combination for any
Mr. Van wyck explained that some days ago he
had offered a resolution continlng the time Of ne
gotaton referred to within one year. The cyl
dence of DR.. Norvin Green yesterday. before the
committee on postoiices and postroads had, he
said, clearly established the TACT that contract
was made and executed two years ago, but that
the elder Garrett had defeated the operation Of
the contract. We desired to know why II had
been generally understood that the elder Garrett
had clearer vision, showing that the Western
Union had secured the greater advantage and his
company lad repudiated tue contract, although
it had been executed. 1t was neither patriotism
N nr nj ant npr hnrrnr n pngOlidatiOn a
stock watering that for moment paralyzed the
elder Garrett. This inquiry was important now Mr..
Van WycR continued. when the younger Garrett
had been Interviewing the committee and
seriously proposing TO assume the fatherly care OF
the government toward the people and protect
them by building new lines playing the role OF
big brother against the extortions of the Western
Union. We had reason to "iear the Greeks,
though boaring gifts" The Western Union had iS
ing ofthe Baltimore and Ohio lines. They knew as
did the elder Garrett that new lines by individuals
meant many millions more of fictitious stock to
be divided by the Western Union and Baltimore
and Ohio, but 1t meant also greater burdens aud
larger dividends TO be taken from the people;
The proposition that the government should build
telegraph line was the only one that struck
terror into the Western Union. They
came came here with threats and entreaties, with
no supplications to the Baltimore aud Ohio Each
corporation was going through its assigned role
the baltimore and Ohio breathing threats against
appearance OF Il law suit; the elder Garrett armed
cap pie with lance in hand-a perfect knight
eIrant-to ayenge the wrongs Of an oppressed peo-
ple while DIR. Green, with knitted brow and eyes
flashing Indignation, denied the power of con-
gress, which had created these companies, to ex-
man arrogantiy insisted, Mr.. Van wyck added
that congress, after creating the Western Union,
with unlimited capacity TO create unlimited mill
ions. had now no po wer left to protect the people
or to build other lines. Hence tho necessity for
this resolution.
of the right Of congress to compel the Western
Union or the Baltimore and Ohio companies to
produce their contracts. They were private COM
panies. II he could see the purpose that would be
served by the resolution he would favor It; but he
did not see what the senate would do with the in
form ltion when they got It,.
Baltimore and Ohio company was tnat no govern
ment or Iostal telegraph was necessary, because
ton tito in IhS bTSSess M IF tBSt
company was all the while negotiating with
the Western Union for pooling or combination
with the Western Union, that fact had bear
ing upon the necessity for the government
10 take hold of this subject of teegraphy for itself
and that no relief could be expected from com
petition because even the strongest competitor
that the Western Union had ever had had been
negotiating for a combination with 1t. The fact
thtt Mr.. Bates, trusted officer of the Western
Union, had gone over TO The Baltimore and Ohio
In apparent hostility to the Western Union was
significant. That officer had at the proper time
gone 10 the Atlantic and Pacific and the Mutual
Union companies, which a short time afterward
were absorbed BY the Western Union.
Mr.. Plumb said he did not see any good TO come
dtno resolution though he had no objection to It,
Mr.. Platt moved that the resolution be referred
o the committee on posoiices anu postroads. He
piid that for his part hG had no quarrel with the
Western Union Telegraph company or the Balti
more and Ohio. He Mr. Plattl simply desired the
government 10 establish postal telegraph. If
these companies should choose to consolidate he
knew Ot NJ power of congress which could pre-
vent them fIom doing So and he did not see what
good it would Go to have the senate inquire
Whether the companies had or had not made or
attempted a con, ,olidatlon. Even II II consolida-
tion had been effected II would only show more
emphateally the necessity ofa government tele-
Mr., Ingalls, inquired of the senator from Colo.
rado Mr. lilll chairman of the committees oil
postoices and postroads, whether this resolution
had cmanated from the committee or had its
sancuOn.
he said, seen or heard OF the resolution until 1t
was offered.
Mr.. Ingalls, said he saw no use of the resolution.
ns In lis opinion the committee already had the
power, and, In fact, had been exercising it, Dr.
Green and others had been before the committee,
aud had been fully interrogaIed aud the result
OF the interrogation had been published in the
newspapers.
MIR. Bayard said a very grave question-a very
large assumption Of power-was involved in the
this matter. II would be well for a commlttee to
examine the subject before the senate undertook
TO act upon the assumption OF compulsory power
over the acts Of private corporations, or rather
corporations not under the power OF the senate
OF the United States.
Mr. Van Wyck said that he had no objection to
the reference 10 the Committee on pUstott res and
po,trOads, aud the resolution was 80 referred.
Mr.. Vest offered II resolution, which was agreed
to, calling on the secretary Df the interior for in.
formation as to whether a lease hul been made of
any pa / of the Crow reservation In Montana to
any person or associations II so the extent of such
lease, upon what terms made, ana by what
authority Of law such acion had been taken by
the department; also, whether amy permit had
been given to Craze cattle on that reservation
and If so, by what authority of law 1t had been
done.
Nr. Sherman, from the subcommittee on priv-
legeS and elections, submitted report TO the
effect that that committee were unable to con-
tinue its work because there was no money with
which to pay witnesses. The Joint resolution Rp-
prOpriatimg money for the committee had, Mr..
Sherman reported, been sent ON the twenty'hrst Of
February TO the house of representatives and had
not yet been acted upon by that body. The secre-
tary of the senate had refused 10 pay the vouchers
for the expenses of II number OF witnesses on The
ground thai there was no money available ior the
purpose, The committee had therefore, declined
~ summon further witnesses and would suspend
the work until funds were provided, when they
would continue and speedily complete the inVes-
tigutlOn,
The house bill repeating the test oath was taken
up and passed aflefSbeng modified by All amend-
ment proposed by the senate judiciary committee
providing that no person who held u commission
in the United States army before the war, and
was alteTward engaged In the military, naval, or
civil service of the so-called confederate states,
shan be appointed to any position in the army or
navy OF the United States
Al , O'Clock the senate resumed consideration OF
the bill TO provide for the construction OF new
steel cruisers for the navy,
Mr.. Jones, of Florida while agreeing with much
that had been said by the opponents of the bill
with respect to extravaganza aud bad MANAGE
ment In the past conduct of the g)yernment 81 iar