The Portland daily press., 1884-12-20
XLVIIIth Congress---2d Session
SENATE.
LT Cr~rw~r

WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.
The chair laid before the Senate communication
from W. W. Corcoran, chairman of the joint COM
mission Transmitting the annual repot Of the
Washington Monument Association; also the me-
mortal of the Produce Exchange of New York city
urging immediate and definite action with regard
the Spanish treaty. The papers were appropriately
referred.
MIR. ipgalls, from the committee on the District
of Columbia reported favorably aud the Senate
without debate passed the bill making the 4sh of
March OF Presidential Inauguration years legal
holiday in the District.
he Senate took up and passed the bill to accept
and ratify the treaty made in 1880 with the Sha-
shope and other tribes of Indians on the Fort Hall
and Lemhi reservations in Idaho for the sale Of
portion Of their lands
The interstate commerce bill was then taken mp,
and Mr.. George addressed the Senate on i5.
Mr. Allison reported fayorAbly The House Iesolu-
tion proviC ing that when the two Houses adjourn
Saturday next it be to Monday, Jan. 8 but on Mr..
Hates suggestion it Laid the table for the
present.
MIR. Hale from the conference committee on the
naval appropriation bill, reported that the commit
tee had been unable 10 agree. He explained that
the House conferees insisted that the Senate uSt
take the House bill as presented TO the Senate that
being lump appropriation for the coming half
year, While the Senate c0nferees, he said, had
thought that method Objectionable method OF
passing appro ariatioH bill, and had held TO that
ground. MIR. Hald moved that the Senate insist
its amendments
Mr. Bayard said that although appropriation
bills must originate Ia the House, the responsibility
for their passage rested equally on the Senate and
House. and Tor the Senste TO pursue he course sug
gssted By the House conferees would be an abdica
ton OF its responsibility. He moved that the vote
of ius'sIance be taken by yeas ana nays.
MIR. Hale's motion was unanimously agreed to-
yeas 65 nays no.e.
Mr.. Vest submitted modhca ion Of the resols-
ton heretofore offered by him relating the pro-
posed Nicaragua cana surveying expedition. CIhe
ngdi Hoo 10 ha .asf
send out such an expedition. The original resou-
tion declared it to be illegal" to send it without
authority OF Cougrese)
The Senate then went into executive session, and
whsn the doJrs reopened adjourned.
ROUSE.
Mr.. Biount of Georgia, rising to personal expa-
nation, had read letter from the commissioner of
agriculture taking exceptions to some remarks made
by him oa the bill establishing the Department Of
Agriculture. Inc remarks are to the effect that
the petitions sent TO Congress in tsvor of the bill
were printed In Washington under direction Of the
commissioner of agriculture aud sent throughout
the country for signature and that the commissioner
has been about the House and Senate urg ng the
passage Of bills. The commissioner denies that he
prepared any petition urged the passage of the
bill. Mr.. Blount said that when he spoke Of the
petition being prepared under the direction of the
commissioner Of agriculture he had no reference to
the present commissioner. Tho petition antedated
Mr. Lorng's term of office. AS to his statement
that the commissioner had used his influence in
favor OF the bill he had made thai statement
Information. He had the highest respect for MIR.
Lorng and desired to place that gentleman's letter
upon record.
Mr. Hancock, from the appropriation committee,
reported amendments TO the pension appropriation
bill The bill provides that the number of pension
agents be reduced from Is to IL and that their
msxmum compensation be fxed at 81, ,00u
nually. The second limits the fees for examining
70 - x fArf fh.at fua e
each additional examination the same day.
a memorial from j. g. Thompson OK sergesntst-
arms of the House. was presented, asking Congress
to pay the judgment rendered against him by the
Supreme Court in the suit of Haliett Kilbourne
aud to reimburse him tor the expenses incurred by
him. Referred 10 the judiciary Committee.
Consideration OF the Interstate commerce bill was
then resumed
Mr.. He lit of New York moved to strike out that
portion o. the third section which prohibits pooling.
MIR. Hewitt said that while pooling might be
evil there were many evils which were remedies for
other greater evils. The evils that pooling
intended 10 remedy and which had become intol r
able were the evils Of unlimited compe iton. Pool
ing, if honestly conducted, gave stability i'll rates of
freight and equal terms to every customer and
ried out the principle of equal rights all
How should the evils Of tho pooling arrangement
be overcome? The gentleman from Texas (Mr.
Reagan) said by the abolition of pooling; that
wound consign the country to the chaos from which
pooling had extricated il. Let it be regulated by
would be approved by the Judgment of men familiar
with the subject but bill to ABOLISH pooling would
be contrary to their judgment
MIR. Keagan's great objection to the pooling sec
tion of the bill seemed be that it would compel
the companies to employ large numbe of clerks.
If the gentleman had read the bill little farthes
he would have seen that 1t provided thai scheduler
of rates be posted up. 1t was proposed by the law
to remedy what the gentleman proposed to remedy
by giving the railroads. the right to pool.
Mr.. Dunn OF Arkansas favored The provisions of
the bill and in conclusion said 1T is the hand Of
New York that Is 1t the throat of this
couutry and that makes this legisati, necessary.
Let the gentleman remember that let Now York
rack this grip and this legislation wid not be nee
cssary.
MIR. Hewitt then offered an amendment permit
ting oing contracts when they are reasonable
anu just.
MIR. Phelps of New Jersey thought that the dis
closed the unwisdom and uujusiioe of this bill.
Mr.. Cox of New York said he k. ew that the body
of the people OF New York. including the geDte-
connected with trades unions, favored this just
and true bill of the gentleman from Texss The
wisest thing possible was 70 check the
In commissions, for they did not represent the peo
pie and we're not wise or constitutional.
MIR. Hewitts amendment was rejected without
division.
Further consideration of the bill was postponed.
Ghe spesker then laid before the House COM
ing for an appropriation of $40 CoJ for the pro-
lection and improvement of the Yellowstone Ma
tional Park. Referred.
MIR. Blanchard of Louisiana introduced joint
resolution, which was referred to the Judiciary
committee, proposing constitutional amendment
providing that the power vested ia the executive to
make treaties by and with the consent of the Senate
shall not be construed to embrace reciprocity tres
ties sfecting the revenues of the government. Rec
iprocJv treaties affecting the shall not be
made by the executive confirmed by the Senate
until Congress shall have agreed to tho proposed
changes.
Mr. McAdoo OF New Jersey, from the committee
on naval affairs. reported back the Ssnate bill for
the relief Of the survivors Of the Joannette exped-
ton.
The House then took a recess until s D. M. the
evening session to devoted to the consideration
Of pension bills.
EVENING SESSION.
At the evening session 1S pension bills were
passed