St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-17
The House of Representatives.

Inc House OF Representatives.
WASHINGTON. Dec. i6.-The house was
called to order by Senator Springer.
bill was passed amending section 8, $40,
revised statutes, relating to the forwarding of
mail matter. Il authorizes postmasters 70
forward mail matter Of the second, third and
fourth class on which postage has once been
paid in full. This rule IS now in force in re-
gard 70 mail matter OF the first class.
A resolution was passed providing for q
holiday recess from the Goth Of December
until the 5th Of January, and the house then
resumed consideration Of the interstate
commerce bill.
Mr.. Clardy favored the strictest inhibition
Of pooling systems, but characterized as IN
just the proposition to prohibit railroads from
charging more for a shorter than longer dis
lance. He did not endorse the ornamental
portion Of the committee bill, the provision
for the appointment Of a commission.
Mr.. Reagan took the floor to close the de-
bate. He replied to the criticisms made
against his substitute and pointed out what
be considered the weak points in the argu-
ments Of the opposition TO IL He reviewed
the whole subject Of interstate transportation
exhaustively and congratulated the house
that IL was at last given an opportunity TO
vote upon the question.
The vote was then taken on substituting
the Reagan bill for the first seven sections Of
the committee bill, containing remedial pro-
visions, and II was agreed TO. Yeas I43.
nays 90. The remaining sections OF the
committee bill, for the appointment of a
cor mil ate -
90. The bill known as the Reagan substi-
tute was then read BY sections under the
five minute rule.
Mr.. O'Neill, Of Pennsylvania, offered an
amendment extending the provisions of the
bill to the water ways Of the country.
Mr. Reagan opposed the amendment. The
water ways were free channels Of commerce,
and competition over them would regulate
itself
Mr.. O'Neill said there were associations Of
men engaged in carrying freight on water
ways which might become as great mOnopo-
lies as railroad companies
The amendment was lost TO Isl.
Mr.. Hopkins offered an amendment ex-
tending the provisions of the bill TO persons
or companies engaged in the transpor-
tation Of property by pipe line or lines.
Agreed TO-.
Mr.. O'Hara offered an amendment pro-
viding that any person having purchased q
ticket TO be conveyed from one state 10 an
other, or paid the required fare, shall
receive the same treatment and
afforded equal facilities and accom-
modations as furnished all other
persons holding tickets Of the same class,
without discrimination. Mr.. O'Hara said it
was indisputable that congress had the right
TO say how property should be carried on rail-
roads, how cattle should be carried. Who
could doubt that congress had the right 10
say how persons travelling on railroads shonld
be treated. He held that all citizens of the
United States were entitled 10 equal protec-
ton. This was not a question of caste or
color; it was a question of dealing fairly
with all persons.
Mr.. Regain did not doubt the power Of con-
gress in these premises, but the question Of
transportation Of persons had not been con-
sidered in the committee, and be thought it
too important a matter 10 be legislated upon,
without eXamin alton.
The amendment was agreed to. Yeas, 135 {;
nays, 90. The announcement Of the result
was received with applause on the Repub-
lican side.
Mr.. Blount, who had acted in the mega
tive, just before the announcement changed
his vote to the affirmative for the purpose
Of moving reconsideration. This motion
having been made was Immediately met by
Mr.. O'Hara with . motion to lay the motion
on the table. Pending this Mr.. Reagan
moved TO adjourn which carried. Yeas, 1879;
NAYS, 81.