The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1884-12-19
PROCEEDINGS Oh CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
aFr. CuI1unn Discusses the Senate Interstate
Commerce Eli.

MGr. CuIlun Discusses the Senate Interstate
Commerce Bill.
WASHINGTON, Dec 18.-Among the memorials
presented was one by Mr.. Hoar from the Won
ans Suffrage Association, of Pennsylvania,
protesting against the admission Of Dakota on q
constitution made by men alone and denying
suffrage rights to women. Mr.. Hoar, in present
;ng it, said that while he favored woman suffrage
he thought it unwise, in the present temper of
Congress for the advocates of that cause to op-
pose the admission of new State on the
grounds set forth, because, when the Territories
Of Wyoming and Washington shall call for
admission, the exercise of suffrage by women IN
those Territories may be advanced as an argu-
ment against their admission.
Mr. Vest submitted joint resolution declar-
ing that, without the consent or authority Of
Congress the proposed Nicaragua surveying
expedition ordered by the Secretary of the
Navy was illegal, and directing that the Secre-
tary do not enforce the orders issued on the
subject until there is definite and final action by
Congress- on this resolution.
On Mr.. Hale's objection the resolution went
over one day, Mr.. Vest saying he would call 1t
up tomorrow, as the expedition was under
orders to sail from New York on Saturday, and
prompt action was necessary.
Mr. Sherman called up and the Senate passed
bill appropriating $50 600 for erecting a statue
to the memory OF Gen Lafayette
Among the bills introduced were two by Mr..
Van Wyek one to increase the pensions Of wild
ows and dependent relatives Of deceased sol
diers and Sailors the other to grant pensions to
invalid and dependent soldiers who served three
months during the war Of the rebellion Re
ferred
On motion of Mr.. Morrill, the Senate went into
executive session. The doors being closed Mr.
Riddleberger continued his speech in opposition
to the confirmation Of Mr. McCulloch to be Sec
rotary of the Treasury.
=, -
At 300 the doors were reopened andlegislatiYe
business resumed.
The interstate commerce bill, as reported by
Mr.. Cullom from the committee on railroads
was taken up. The bill provides for the ap-
pointment of a commission to supervise matters
pertaining to regulation of commerce among the
States Mr. Cullom addressed the Senate on
the bill After referring to the importance Of
the subject and the extent of tde interests to be
affected he expressed the belief that the inter
ests of the railroads and the people were really
identical. In framing legislation on this subject
it would be safer not to go far enough than to go
too far; but while Congress 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 railway manage
ment In more than twenty States efforts have
been made TO remedy existing evils by legisla
ton. These efforts demonstrated the existence Of
q popular demand for such legislation He
quoted from q letter which he had received from
Commissioner Fink who, he said, had exam
iaed the bill and expressed the belief that there
was a settled public opinion, shared by the rail
road companies. that il was desirable to have
such commission. Mr. Cullom discussed at
some length the question of the constitutional
power of Congress, and cited many acts limiting
and restraining railroads, that had been sustained
by the Supreme Court Congress he continued
could not reasonably expect to accomplish every
thing desired by single enactment. The prac
tical difficulties in the way are too great TO be
sufficiently guarded against by infleXible regu
iations. This, he thought, the strongest
argument in favor Of the establishment of a
commission acting under enaetments sufficient
" elastic to accommodate themselves to emer-
gencies that could not be forseen, yet allowed
sufficient authority TO begin the work
of regulation, and with intelligence and ability
enough to clear away the obstacles to effective
legislation The bill contained principles that
had been tested and proved by experience, and
was a Capitalization of what investigation and
experience had shown to DO most valuable and
practicable 1t provided for adjudication of
complaints by arbitration, which would render
recourse to the tedious processes of the courts
unnecessary in great majority of cases. Leg
islaton was needed to make improbable that
system Of railway management IN which one
shipper was made to flourish while his compet-
itoP was bankrupted one town built up while
its rival was ruined All questions relating to
pooling, rebates etc. were embraced in the gen
eral subject of unjust discrimination, and could
be dealt with by commission.
Mr. Slater offered his amendment, embodying
the provisions of the Reagan bill.
Mr. Allison gave notice of amendments in
tended to be proposed by him. making il the
duty of the commission to thoroughly lnvesti-
gate all questions affecting commerce between
the States and directing it to make report to
Congress, not later than Dee 8, with a bill pre-
seuting inst and comprehensive mode of regu-
lations, and schedules Of maximum and mini
mum rates; also, plans for protection of the
public against watered stocks.
On motion of Mr. Van Wycl, joint resolution
was passed authorizing and requiring the Secre-
tary of War to deliver to the Eighth New York
Heavy Artillery Association the regimental
colors which belonged to said artillery which
were captured by the confederate forces and are
now in possession Of the Secretary Of War
Mr. George took the floor for the purpose of
addressing the Senate on the interstate COM
meree bill, but yielded TO a motion to ad-
journ, retaining the floor for tomorrow, when
The bill will come up as unfinished business.
Adjourned.