Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1884-12-24
FoRTy-ElGHTa CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, december %. 1894.

senate.
The Chair laid before the senate the me-
mortal of the American Association for the
Advancement Of Science urging the ex.
teE,ion Of the coust and geodetic survey to
all the states.
Mr.. Jonas presented the memorial OF the
Joint commercial associations OF New Or
leans protesting against the ratification OF
the spanish treaty.
Mr.. Vest submitted concurrent resolu-
ton providing that congressional speeches
shall be printed rs delivered. with the ex-
ceJtion OF verbal amendments, aud when
speeches are Withheld for revision for
more than ono week the speech shall be
printed as delivered.
Mr.. Vest said he wished the resolution
referred 10 the Committee on Printing. and
Il wss so referred.
In the debate on the resolution Mr. Vest
said be- had no idea that any such rcsolu-
ton would pass both houses, but perhap.
occasional reminders on its subiectmatter
would have some effect. The senate. he
sale. had already passed such O provision
in the form o. On amendment to an appro-
pria,ion bill, but ii was struck out in
conference committee. The evil at which
Il was directed had grown to such
On extent as to become veriia-
bic scandal. In country in which
public opinion largely influenced public
business " was OF the greatest
importance that the manner in which the
laws were passed should be correctly set
forth In the record. II was due not only
70 these who represented the people them
selves but as welll TO the truth OF history
that what purported TO bea truthful record
Of what was said and done in Congress
should be what II pIrported to be instead
II being the caricature that It was to-day.
The effect Of the urtrutbful representations
now made could not but Rave the most
injurious effect. especially on the young
men Of the country, when they
learned that instead OF the speech being
delivered 10 a full house and in the pre-
renee OF crowded galleries and loud APP
plause and immense bouquets 10 reward
the orator. that the orator did not deliver
the speech at all, but at the time OF Its sup
posed delivery was taking leIsurely a
luncheon in the congressional restaurant or
placidly smoking in a cloak-room. This
was becoming so well understood that 1t
was touching the sense OF public humor,
and the opinion OF the country was getting
10 be that Congress was nothing but
variety show, where there was nothing real
except pay. lie cited, as abuses OF
the printing privilege, the case OF
member OF Congress who deliv.
cred ten lines OF remarks and then
printed as part Of his speeah complete
copy Of the Constitution OF the United
States; and another, who printed as part ~
his remarks poem OF ninety verses, emit.
tied. 40 the Immortals," and dedicated
TO Congress; but even more scandalous
abuse Than that was shown at the last ses-
sion, when q member. after delivering a
few sentences OF a speech, supplemented
them with oil the chapters on the tariff con-
tanned IN Blaine's book, and had them thus
printed at the public expense. Copies oil
that speech, Mr.. Vest said. were sold by
the campaign committee at ten cents
thousand, and distributed under frank
through The mails. Another instance
cited by Mr. Vest was where identically
tie same speech appeared printed as having
been delivered by two members. Some
members Of the literary lobby had sold a
copy ofthe speech TO two different men.
Mr. Hawley remarked that any copies OF
speeches sent out by the campaign commit
tees were paid for.
Mr.. Vest asked whether il was not true
that they were franked through the mails.
Mr.. Hawley replied that he believed 1t
was the custom Of both political parties in
distributing copies Of congressional speech.
es 10 frank them.
Mr.. sherman said the Congressional Re-
cord bad come 10 be altogether too bulky by
printing in it all sorts OF documents that
happened to have any bearing on the sub
iect under discussion. He thought the
record would be immensely more conve-
nient and valuable IL il were less bulky.
Mr.. Platt said that, inasmuch a. there
was no rule in the Senate giving "leaye to
print" the difficulty did not arise there.
Mr.. FIVE thought there was something
TO be said in excuse for the House OF Repre-
seniatiyes. Under the rules OF that body it
was very seldom member was allowed
more than ten minutes in debate. The
most important discussions there were
under The ive-minute rule. and under no
rule could q member have more than one
hour. In the Senate, on the other hand. q
gentleman may at any time stop the whole
business OF the bo6y. surround himself
with books five feet high, and talk from
one hour TO ten hours.
The II solution was referred.
Mr.. Hale called up the naval appropria-
ton bill, rs reported Yesterday by him
FROM the Committee on Appropriations.
He again explained IL to be the regular and
usual appropriation bin as perfected by the
House, but modified so as 10 cover only the
last half of the year. The bill was passed.
MIR. Morgan. from the Committee on Pub
lie Land, reported fayorably, with amend
ments. the hill 10 forfeit lands granted TO
the New Orleans, Baton Rouge and Vicks.
burg Railroad Company (the Backbone rail-
rosd). Placed on calendar.
Mr.. Van Wyck moved 10 make a special
order for January 9th next Of the bill, here
.oiore reported from the Judiciary Com.
nitice. declaring subject TO state taxation
the lands granted by act Of July /, 1862
"io Gid in the construction OF a railroad
ard telegraph line from the Missouri river
to ihe Pacific ocean," and TO which compa-
MES we're to become entitled to lands upon
payment OF the cost OF surveying.
Mr.. Garland said the hill was very inn
pOrtant one, and there were 4 number oi
senators who would doubtless desire TO be
heard on it.
Mr.. Van Wyck's motion was agreed TO.
The Senate then went into executive ses-
sion, and when the doors were re0pened
adjourned till tomorrow.