The National tribune., 1884-12-25
XLVIIIth CONGRESS.
The Interstate Commerce Bill---The
Color Line.

WEDNESDAY, Dec I'm the Senate a num-
Der of remonstranccs against the ratification of
the Spanish treaty were received.
Mr.. Butler introduced a resolution to author
ize tae President to send to the proposed Ex-
hibtion of American Arts and Manufactures
TO be held in London, England, in 1886, the
Government exhibits now at the New Orleans
Exposition, and appropriating 100000 to de-
fray the expense. 1t was referred TO the Com
mittee on Foreign Relations.
After some debate the naval appropriation
BILL which was a modification of the regular
appropriation bill perfected by the Senate COM
mittee and passed by the Senate last session,
and now substituted as an amendment for the
House bill, was passed. During its discussion
Mr.. Morgan of Alabama, took occasion to criti-
else the work of the Gun Factory Board, and
said the people Of this country would be as
tOnished if they knew how rich the United
States were in every clement that went to the
making Of the finest steel and the greatest
guns. American steel he said, was readily ca
pable of such development as would place it
far ahead Of any other steel in the world.
In the House the discussion of the Inter-
State Commerce Bill was resumed, the pending
question being on the motion 20 table the vote
to reconsider the vote by which the House on
the previous day adopted the amendment of
~
vidng that any person having purchased
ticket to be conveyed from one State to an
other shall receive the same treatment and be
afforded the same facilities rs those furnished
another person holding a ticket of the same
class, without discrimination. The motion to
reconsider was tabled-yeas 1i9, nays 129.
Mr.. Crisp, of Georgia, offered an amendment
providing that nothing in this act contained
shall be SO construed as to prevent any railroad
company from providing separate accommoda-
tons for white and colored persons. He said
there was no good reason why white men or
cOlored men should object to separate accom-
modations lis amendment did not force
railroad companies to provide separate accom-
modationS
Mr.. Smalls (S c. opposed the amendment,
and said that he was glad it was offered by
d Member from Georgia. Colored men and
women did have trouble in travelling through
that State. They had car in Georgia which
they called a second-class car. A colored man
travelling from Washington TO New Orleans,
when he came to the State of Georgia was
compelled by persuasion or force to go into the
" jim Crow " car He hoped that the gentle
man who said this great, good man Cleveland
Will do good to the colored man " would na5
stand up for the Jim Crow" car of Georgia.
Applause on the Republican side.l
Mr.. Brechinridge offered as substitute for
Mr. Crisp's amendment an amendment provid-
to deny to railroads the right to provide sepa-
rate accommodations for passengers as they may
deem best for the public comfort or safety, as
relating to transportation between points
wholly within the limits of one State. Mr..
Breckinridges amendment was adopted as a
substitute for Mr.. Crisps ameudment-yeas
135, nays 127; and Dir. Crisp's amendment rs
so amended was agreed to-yeas 137, nays 131.
THURSDAY, Dec. 18.-ln the Senate Mr..
Sherman called up and the Senate passed the
bill apprOpriating $4,000 for the purpose of
erecting statue to the memory of Gen. Lafay-
ette. As passed it provides for the appoint
ment of "a commission, composed of three San-
atOrS and three Representatives, to carry out
the purpose contemplated.
After a short time spent in secret session the
Interstate Commerce Bill was taken up.
The bill reported by Mr.. Cullom, from the
Committee on Railroads, provides for the es-
tablishment of an interstate commerce COM
mission, TO be composed of five members, who
are to be appointed by the President by and
with the advice and consent of the Senate, not
more than three of the commissioners to belong
TO the same political party. The commission
shall supervise all matters pertaining TO the
regulation of commerce among the States and
Territories and the method OF operation of
transportation companies. 1t prohibits unrea-
sonabie rates of charge and unjust discrlmna-
tion between shippers, and requires the COM
companies in regard to rates discrimna-
tions, and to turn the complaints over TO the
United States District Attorney if the COM
panies refuse to do justice. 1t is made the duty
Of such attorney to institute suit for damages
in each such case. Every transportation COM
pany is required to report annually to the
commission a full detailed statement Of its re-
ceipts and expenses and schedules of its rates
OF charge. The commission is to report annu-
ally to the Secretary of the Interior, who in
turn shall report 10 Congress full account of
the commissions operations, with suggestions
for further legislation if any be necessary.
In the House the Interstate Commerce Bill
was also the subject of discussion, the principal
points argued being in regard TO discriminat-
ing between the negroes and whites i'll railroad
traffic
FRIDAY, Dec. 19.-In the Senate, Mr.. ingalls,,
from the Committee on the District of Colum-
bia, reported favorably, and the Senate with
ont debate passed, the bill making the 4th of
March of presidential inauguration years a
legal holiday in the District
The Interstate Commerce Bill was taken up,
and Mr.. George addressed the Senate on il.
In the House the Interstate Commerce Bill
was also discussed until the recess, after which
the House re-asSembled for the consideration
OF pension bills Is of which were passed.
SATURDAY, Dee. 20.--Mr. Logan, from the
Committee on Military Affairs, reported the
Military Academy Bill and it was passed with
out debate. 1t appropriates in all $309, ,395.14
for the support of the academy for the next
fiscal year.
The House concurrent resolution providing
for an adjournment from to-day TO Jan. 5 was
then taken up and voted on by yeas and nays,
and was not agreed to-yeas s, nays %.
In the House, after some discussion of the
Interstate Commerce Bill, Mr.. Randall moved
that when the House adjourn to-day it be to
meet on Wednesday, the 24th inst. He asked
unanimous consent that it should be agreed
that on the oath further adjournment should
be had until the 9th, then to the 31st, and
then until the 18th of January, and that on
those days no business whatever shall be trans
acted, which was agreed to-
MONDAY Dec. 22.-The Senate had a short
session to-day, but no business of Importance
was transacted.
Senator Ingalls,.