Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-25
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
THE STAR ROUTE MATTER,
MIR. ELLIS ASKS AN INVESTIGATION.
SENATE DEBATE ON TORNADO SUFFERERS.

SENATE DEBATE ON TORNADO SUFFERERS.
MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES. ETC.
The Senate.
The chair laid before the Senate communication
from the Secretary OF War transmitting a report OF
the chief Of ordnance showing the number, 'calber
weight and value OF all caSt-iron cannon on hand,
condemned, unfit for Use.
Also. communication from the Secretary Of the
Navy transmitting the report OF the Selfridge board
Destroyer
RESOLUTIONS IN RELATION TO RAILROAD LANDS.
Mr. Logan, from the committee on the judiciary,
reported two original resolutions, which were
agreed to- relating to railroad handsome calling on
the Secretary OF the Interior to inform the Senate
whether ha any OF the railroad companies mentioned
OF May 2, 1878, had failed to Comply with
the requirements Of said act, and when and in what
respect they failed, and whether they subsequently
complied; and further, whether said companies had
paid dividends, and to what amounts; and what
steps, II any, had been taken to enforce the pro-
visions OF said act.
The second resolution called on the Attorney
General to furnish similar information.
RELIEF FOR SOUTHERN TORNADO SUFFERERS.
Mr.. Ransom offered joint resolution to appro-
pirate 100000 for the relief of the sufferers by the
recent great wind storm in the southern states He
said that over 500 people were killed and many
the storm was awful.
Mr.. Brown supported the resolution in fitting
WORDS he thought It. case clearly calling for
tne lnterpOSltlOn or Congress-
Mr. Pugh also supported it. He thought that
whatever claim was good for the relief OF the SUI
fererS by the western floods was good for the SUI
fererS by this wind storm.
Mr.. Harris, while he would be personally ready to
AID TO the utmost extenDof power in contributing
Of ho ~
he would not vote dollar out OF the Treasury for
any such purpose as he believed he had no cOnsti-
tional power to do so. Part OF Tennessee had suf-
lered by reason OF the storm, but he had no ntima
ton OF call for the aid OF the national govern
ment.
Mr.. Morgan said he had not been informed OF any
aeaqest OF the people OF Alabama for government
aid In the matter. and he would reserve his judg-
ment upon it until he should hear OF some such re-
quest. He thought the new line OF policy dan
gerouS one and SympathiZed with the opinions OF
the Senator from Tennessee (Mr. Harris) with re-
gard to 1t. We should probably hear later OF loss
OF ships at sea by the same storm, and might be
asked TO extend our benevOlence as to take such
losses also into account. Mr.. Morgan was not now
prepared to say whether the matter under consid-
limit.
Mr.. Brown inquired If there was any distinction
between this case and the case OF the sufferers by
the western floods.
Mr.. Morgan said he did not wish now to discuss
the matter 1t was enough for him, for the pres
ent, to say that he had not seen any wish of the
Otherwise, for the bestowal Of public charity Oh
them.
Mir: Garland thought there was no doubt Of the
conStltutlonallty OF The measure. He would take
opportunity when the resolution should be reported
PACK from committee, to give his reasons for sup
porting 1t on constitutional grounds.
After further debate the resolution was referred
TO the committee on appropriations
THE CURRENCY BILL.
The Senate then on motion OF Mr.. Bayard, re-
sumed consideration OF the currency BILL and Mr..
George addressed the Senate in opposition to the
OIL as reported from the committee on finance.
House Of Representatives.
MR. ELLIS EXPLAINS HIS CONNECTION WITH THE STAR
ROUTE NATTER AND ASKS AN INVESTIGATION,
WHICH is GRANTED.
Mr. Ellis OF Louisiana, rising to a question OF
privilege sent to the clerks desk, and had read from
the New York sun OF Saturday, extracts from doc
ument said to be In possession OF the Post Office de.
partment. stating that Geo F. Brott gave fee OF
several hundred dollars to F. John Ellis for services
in securing star route contract on the Donaldson
route
Mr.. Ellis said that about two years ago he re.
ceived in the mail letter which recited portion
OF the publication which had been read, and stated
that the charges were on file in the Post Office de
partment. He could not believe 1t. for he did not
believe that any person would manufacture such
stun out OF the whole cloth, for even a lie
ought to have some sort of foundation
However, he showed the communication to
Mr., Brott. and asked whether he had
much surprised, and denied utterly having made
Such Statement BrOtt accompanied him to the
Post Office department. and there, in the presence
OF Inspector Woodward. wrote an emphatic delia
OF the statement, which denial was placed on Tile ii
the department He tMr. Ellis) now entered his
most solemn and unequvocal denial Of the whole
story, from beginning to end He could not rest
content, however, with BrOttS denial and his ow.
asSeveratlon, and he offered Il resolution, which
OiiiceS to investigate the charges rejecting upon
him In connection with the star route frauds.
REBATES OF TOBACCO TAX
On motion OF Mr. Hiscock (New York,, resol,l.
ton was adopted calling On the Secretary OF the
Treasury for information as to what time the
rebates OF tobacco tax will be paid to the claim.
ants. and If there IS to be any delay, the causes
thereof and what can be done to effect G more
speedy payment.
on motion OF MI Poland Vermont a resolution
was adopted directing the Judiciary committee
to inquire whether the at Of the legislature O,
Dakota TO provide for the levy OF tax property
OF railroad companies does not conflict with the
organic act establishing that territory.
SMITHSONIAN REGENTS.
On motion OF Mr.. singleton (M1sS), Senate joint
resolution was passed filling the vacancy in the
board OF regents OF the Smithsonian Institution by
the reappointment OF Noah Porter, of Connecti.
cut.
Mr.. Gibson (W. va.) introduced joint resolution
appropriating $4,000 for the distribution OF seed
among the sufferers from the Ohio floods Re
Mr.. Clements (Ga), from the committee on for
egn affairs, reported resolution requesting the
President to transmit all communications between
the United States and Russia with regard to the
condition and treatment OF Hebrews In Russia, and
especially in relation to Hebrew citizens of the
United States. Adopted.
NEW BILLS
Under the call OF states the following bills etc
were introduced and referred:
By Mr.. Oates (Ala-) ITO prohibit aliens and for
| egners from acquiring title to or owning land
within the United States.
BY MIR. RoSecranS ITO authorize the coin.
age OF silver dollars and fractions thereof under the
metric system Also, for the coinage OF a gOlf
metric dollar, Sc and fractions OF dollar, and d
double eagle, eagle and half eagle. Also, for the
coinage OF the "Stella." Also, to establish system
Of coinage OF gold and silver and 10 obtain proX.
unity OF value between them. Also, for
THE ELECTION OF COMMISSIONERS OF THE DISTRICT
OF COLUMBIA BY THE PEOPLE
OF the District Also, to prohibit the employmen,
Of convict labor in the District Of Columbia
The District in Congress.
MIR. BowEN's CLAIM.
Mr.. Garland introduced in the Senate to-day the
bill introduced in the House by Mr.. Rosecrans Or
the 7th OF January for the relief OF VIM. Bowen 1,
directs the payment to Bowen OF $3149 So for fill
ing up and draining certain lots in this city unde
contract with the board OF health. during the Year,
1S71-72-73 Referred to the District committee.
BILL REPORTED ADVERSELY.
Mr.. Pike, from the Senate District committee to
day reported adversely the bill to pay Thomas Nc
Mahon for certain services rendered under Pete
Mcnamara, a contractor, and it was Indefinitely
postponed.