St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-12-19
CONGRESSIONAL NEWS.
The Women Suffragists Protesting
Against the Admission of
Dakota.
The Bill Approprlating $4,000 for the Free
ton ola Statue to the Memory Of Gen.
Lafayette Passed in the Senate
The House Discusses Amendments 70 tn
Interstate Commerce Bill-1he
United States at the Lon
don Exposition
THE FoRrr-E1GHrH CONGRESS.
The senate.

The senate.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 1S.-In the senate to-
day, among the memorials presented, was
one by Senator Hoar from the Woman's Suf-
frage association of Pennsylvania, protesting
against the admission OF Dakota on eonsti-
tutional majority by men alone, and denying
the suffrage rights Of women. Senator Hoar,
in presenting the bill, said, while he favored
woman's suffrage, he thought it unwise in
the present temper Of congress for the advo-
Gates of that cause to oppose the admission
Of new state on the grounds set forth, be-
cause when the territories of Wyoming and
Washington shall call for admission the ex-
ercise of suffrage by women in those terrific
ries may be advanced as an argument against
their admission.
Senator Vest submitted a joint resolution
declaring that without the consent or author
ity of congress the proposed Nicaragua sur
veying expedition ordered by the secretary
Of the navy was Illegal, aud directing the
secretary not TO enforce the orders issued on
the subject until definite and final action by
congress on the resolution.
On Senator Hale's objection the resolution
went over one day, Senator Vest saying he
would call it up tomorrow, as the expedition
was under orders to sail from New York, Sat
urday, and prompt action was necessary.
Senator Sherman called up and the senate
passed the bill appropriating 600 for the
erection of statute to the memory Of Gen.
Lafayette.
Among the bills introduced were two by
Senator Van Wyck, one TO increase the PEN
Of of
deceased soldiers and sailors, the other to
grant pensions to invalid and dependant
soldiers who served three months during the
war of the rebellion. Referred.
On motion of Senator Morrill,, the senate
went into executive session. The doors
being closed, Senator Riddleberger continued
his speech in opposition TO the confirmation
OF hcCullOch to be secretary of the treasury.
AT 2:5O the doors were reopened and legisla-
tive business was resumed. The interstate
commerce bill as reported by Senator Cullom
from the committee on railroads, was taken
up. The bill provides for the appointment
OF commission 10 supervise matters pertain
ing TO the regulation Of commerce among the
states. Senator Cullom addressed the senate
on the bill. After referring TO the import
ance OF the subject and extent of interests to
be affected, he expressed the belief the inter
ests OF railroads and the people were really
identical In framing legislation on this
subject it would be safer not to 90 far
enough than TO go too far, but, while con
gress should proceed with caution, the time
had come when action should be taken.
Congress could not afford to do less than
take preliminary steps toward reaching a
solution of the complicated problems OF rail-
way management In more than twenty
states an effort has been made to remedy the
existing rates by legislation. Those efforts
demonstrated the existence of the popular de-
mand for such legislation. He quoted from
letters he had received from Com missioner
Fink, who, he said, had examined the bill j,
aud expressed the belief there was a
settled public opinion, shared by the
railway CONF anies, that it was desirable to
have such a commission.
Senator Cullom discussed at some length
the question Of the constitutionality of our
congress, and cited many acts limiting and
restraining railroads that have been sustained
by supreme court. Congress could not
reasonably expect to accomplish everything
desired by a single enactment. The practi-
cal difficulties in tire way were too great to be
sufficiently guarded against by inhexible
regulations. This was strongest argument
In favor OF the establishment of a commits
sion acting under enactments sufficiently
elastic to accommodate themselves to emer-
gencies that could not be fOreseen, yet
armed with sufficient authority to begin the
work OF regulation, and with intelligence
and ability enough to clear away all obstacles
to effect the legislation. The bill contained
principles that had been tested and proved
by experience, one was specialization of what
investigation aud experience had shown TO
be the most valuable aud practicable. II is
provided for adjudication of complaints by
arbitration, which would render recourse TO
the tedious process of the courts unnecessary
in q great majority Of cases. Legislation
was needed TO make Improbable that system
Of railway management by which Que shipper
was made to flourish while his competitor
was bankrupted, one town built up while its
rival was ruined. All questions relating to
pooling, rebates, etc, we're embraced in the
general subject of unjust discrimination, aud
could be dealt with by the commissioner.
Senator Slater offered his amendment en-
bodying the provisions of the regular bill.
Senator Wilson gave notice Of an amend
ment intended to be proposed by him, max
ing it the duty of the commission to
thoroughly investigate all questions affecting
commerce between states, and directing it to
make a report to congress not later than
December 1885, with bill presenting just
and comprehensive code OF regulations and
schedules of maximum aud minimum rates,
also plans for the protection of the public
against watered stocks.
Senator George took the floor for the pur-
pose of addressing the senate on the inter
state commerce bill, but yielded to a motion
To adjourn, retaining the floor for to NOR
row, when the bill will come up as unfinished
business. Adjourned.