Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-27
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY,
BALTIMORE AND OHIO AND WESTERN UNION.
SENATOR VAN WYCK,s RESOLUTION,
BRUMNs RESOLUTION IN THE HOUSE
WORK OF THE COMMITTEES, ETC
The Senate.

The Senate.
The following bills were reported favorably from
committees and placed on the calendar:
By Mr.. Dawes from the committee on Indian
afrairs-The bill providing for the allotment OF
lands IN severalty to Indians residing on the Una
tlila reservation, In the state of Oregon.
By Mr. Malone, from the committee on public
buildings and grounds-The bill authorizing the
efecllon OF publlc building at Augusta, Ga
BILLS INTRODUCED
The following bills were introduced and referred:
BY Mr.. Hale-To authorize the erection OF pub
Lie building at Reading, Pa.
by Mr. Sewel-To grant pension to Louisa B.
Ktlpatrtck, widow OF Gen. Judson fitzpatrick
BY Mr.. Morgan-To appropriate money for the
Improvement OF the bay and harbOr of Mobile.
THE REPORTED W. Q. AND B. AND o. CONSOLIDATION.
Mr. Van Wyck offered the following resolution,
for which he asked immediate consideration:
"RpSOlred. That the committee on post Offices and
post roads bc directed TO inquire whether at any
time the Western Union and Baltimore and Ohio
telegraph companies. or any offcers or employees OF
gOtat1on for the purpose OF consolidating said
panies or making combination for any purpose
MI: Van Wyck explained that some days ago he
nad onered resolution combining the time of ne
EQUATION referred to within one year. The evidence
OF o. Dr: Norv1n Green yesterday before the commit
tee on post Offices and post roads had. he said,
clearly established the fact that's contract was
made and executed two years ago, but that the
elder Garrett had defeated the operation OF the
contract. we desired to know why. 1t had been
generally understood that the elder Garrett had
clearer vision, showing that the Western Union had
secured the greater advantage. and his company
had repudiated the contract, although it had been
executed. 1t was neither patriotism nor philan-
thropy, nor horror at consolidation, stockwater
rest 1sS that for moment paraly7sd the elder Gar
THIS INQUIRY WAS IMPORTANT NOW.
Mr. van Wyck continued when the younger Gar
rett had been interviewing the committee and
seriously proposing to assume the fatherly care of
ant fnxya rd
them by building new lines. playing the role Of
big brother against the extort1Ons OF the Western
bearing gifts" The Western Union had shown no
sorrow or tears at the proposed building the Bal
tInore and Ohio lines. They knew, did the elder
Garrett, that new lines by individuals meant many
millions more OF fictitious stock to be divided by the
western Union and Baltimore and Ohio but it
meant also greater burdens and larger dividends to
De taken from the people. The proposition that the
government should build telegraph line the
only one that
STRUCK TERROR INTO THE WESTERN UNION.
They came here with threats and entreaties-
with no suppl1cations to the Baltimore and Ohio.
Each corporation was going through its assigned
role-the Baltimore and Ohio breathing threats
against the Western Union, and even going through
the appearance OF a law suit, the elder Garrett,
armed cap-a-pie with lance In hand-a perfect
Knight errant,-to avenge the wrongs OF an op-
pressed people, while DR.. Green with hknitted brow
and eyes flashing indignation, denied the power OF
Congress, which had created these companies, to
examine their papers and contracts. That gentle
man man had arrogantly insisted, Mr. Van Wyck added,
that Congress. after creating the Western Union,
with unlnhted capacity to create unlimited mil
hons, had now no power left to protect the people
or TO build other lines. Hence the necessity for
sAlr Morgan said he would like to be informed Of
the rlght OF Congress to compel the Western Union
or the Baltimore and Ohio cOmpan MES to produce
Ineir I contracts They were private companies.
II he could see the purpose that would be served by
the resolution he would favor it, but he did not
what the Senate would do with the Information
When they got IL.
Mr. Plumb did not believe that any information
OF value could be obtained by the inquiry into this
branch or the subject.
After some further debate the resolution was re-
1erred TO the committee on post offices and post
roads.
THE TEST OATH REPEALED.
The House bill repeating the test oath was taken
up and passed, after being modified by an amend
ment proposed by the Senate judiciary committee
providing that no person who held a commission in
the United States army before the war, and was
a1terWar0 engaged In the military. naval or civil
service of the sO-caled confederate states shall be
appointed to any position in the army or navy OF
the United States.
House Of Representatives.
Mr.. Morrison Qll), chairman OF the committee
on ways and means, reported resolution directing
the Secretary OF the Treasury to inform the House
now much money Is now in the Treasury of the
United States; under what several provisions
OF law it is there retained, and how much in view
of the current receipts, expenditures and legal
liabilities OF the Treasury, can be applied at this
time in liquidation OF that part OF the public debt
now payable. without embarrassing his DEPART
ment. Adopted.
DIRECTING TO A LEGISLATIVE INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Hardy N. W offered a resolution reciting
that charges OF fraudulent differentiation OF i'm.
ported merchandise have been made by govern
ment officials, and that importers affected by such
charges claim that they are unfOunded and unjust,
and directing the committee on ways and means to
report upon the advisability OF appointing sub
the charges Of fraudulent differentiation of i'm
ported merchandise.
Mr.. Kelley penny objected, saying that there
were Judicial means of investigating the subject
THE BRUMN RESOLUTION REPORTED BACK.
Mr. Phelps IN. j., from the committee on foreign
affairs, reported back the Brumm resolution
directing that committee to inquire as to whether
the minister OF any foreign power has endeavored
to nullify the effect of a unanimous resolution of
the House by reflection on the honor and Integrity
OF its members The resolution was accompanied
10y report stating that the committee has made an
information on the subject. and asks to be excused
from the further consideration OF the resolution
The report was agreed to without discussion, and
the committee discharged from the further conSid-
GRAFTON OF the subject
GAMBLING IN AMERICAN FARM PRODUCTS
MI. Lefevre {Chio) offered a resolution reciting
that specuattng and gambling tn American farm
products have obtained control of the market value
OF those products, and directing the committee on
judiciary to prepare bill prohibiting the purchase
or sale OF Wheat corn, cotton provisions or other
articles OF prime necessity, unless actual trans
FER OF the articles or warehouse receipt accom-
panies such action. Also, bill authorizing such
governmental Interference will give stability to
the price OF those commodities
MI. Cox (N.Y) and Others objected
CUSTOMS REGULATIONS
Mr.. Eaton {COnn.) offered a resolution direct1np
the committee on expenditures in the Treasury de-
partment to ascertain what custom regulations are
now In use in the department, andif any provision
in those regulations has beenQ Qhade since 1874 and
IL so, what and how.
Mi. Chace (R. I) objected.
MI. Bingham (Pa), from the committee on post
offices and post roads, reported, adversely bill to
prevent the OF United States mails to advertise
the table.
THE PLEUR0-PEEUMONIA BILL
The House then, at 1885, went into committee of
the whole (Mr. Cox, OF New York, In the chair on
the pleuro- pneumonia bill.
District i'm Congress.
ADVERSE REPORT ON THE sAYLEs J. BOWEN BILL.
The bill to relieve Sayles J. Bowen from liapili-
ties as surety for contractors on the public build
ing at Memphis was to-day reported adversely.
and indefinitely postponed In the senate.
THE wOAEN's CHRISTIAN ASSOCIATION
MI. Allison presented in the Senate to-day a
petition from the Women's Christian association.
transmitting their fourteenth annual report and
asking for the usual appropriation OF 5000 for
that association. The petition sets forth that the
association had been enabled to extend its work
wOmans exchange had been established which
has aroused the interest of young ladies OF various
| churches, and promises to be of great vallle in