National Republican., 1884-04-18
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Senator Wilson Presents a Resolution 10 Pre-
vent Pooling Arrangements by Railroads.
Adjustment Of South Cardinals Arms
Account Authorized.
Northern Pacific Railroad Company.
The Pension Appropriations Bill Com
sidored by the House.
THE SENATE.

THE SENATE.
Mr.. Wilson offered the following preamble and
resolution, which at his request were permitted
to lie on The table TO be by him called up in few
days for reference to q committee, when he Will
ask unanimous consent to mako some remarks
on the subject involved
Whereas the constitution delegates to congress
the power to regulate commerce with foreign ma
tions and among the several states and with the
Indian tribes therefore be 1t
Resolved, That 1t is competent for congress in
the exercise of the power so delegated, TO provide
by law for such regulation of the transportation
OF commerce among the several states as shall in-
clude system of maximum and minimum rates
OF charge for the same; for free competition within
the limits so hxed for the prohibition of discrim-
tnaton of any kind whatever either In favor OF or
against cities, towns or other localities, whether
the same be competing or non-competing points,
ior applying the same principles TO transportation
for individuals, firms, associations or cor
poraions in all matters relating to commerce
among the states for the preservation and enforce
and parts of limos over which their shipments
shall pass, to the eud that shippers may avail
routes of the country for the prevention of such
pooling arrangements and agreements 10 refrain
from Just competition as may tend to impose un-
reasonable burdens upon such commerce between
the states; for the protectlonsof such commerce
against unjust exactions based on a class OF secur;
tiles commonly denominated "watered stocks, w.
and for the promotion ofthe true interests OF both
the corporations employed in such transportation
and the people and localities engaged in such
commerce. by an enforcement of the principles
hereinbeiore stated. and thereby induce harmony
and stability in the Affairs OF such corporations,
Mr. Cockreil introduced bill to provide for the
appointment OF d Missouri river commission 70
carry into effect plans for the Improvement OF said
river from Its mouth TO Its headwaters:
The senate, proceeding to the consideration Of
bllls on the iveminute calendar took up the Dill
to authorize the secretary Of war to adjust and
sett!e the account for arms between the state Of
S aes and to balance the same by so reducing the
orercharge made against the state in 1869. under
the act Of 1908, as that the. amounts paid on the
account by South Carolina in the last ten years be
taken in full salts faction of the account.
This bill, whey up last week, was explained by
ernor OF South Carolina got from the secretary of
war; supply of arms under the act Of lSOS au-
se s Stg sS st ats of o1e Years snppy he
requested and received thirty years supply. The
arms were distributed by that governor 10 colored
men IN only. and the arms could not now be found
Mr.. platt opposed the bill. He did not think
South Carolina ought TO repudiate the act by
which Il got the arm in question. There was no
proposition to return the arms to the United
states, but on the contrary the proposition was to
Mr. Hampton said he would not discuss, the
Dill. but would merely say i that there ere
state-nn organization in which It's members
took pride that 4 was impossible to arm arm
did ps the me Of tnS eoS
not get any arms for thirteen years to come. He
would not criucise the war department nor tho
arms, but there was a grave question whether the
secretary OF war had authority of law for an issue
ton would merely appeal 10 the senate to pass the
Pill II having passed last year without dissent
Mr.. ingalls, said that under the act of 1908 sum
OF 100000 was annually allowed by the United
states TO supply arms TO the militia Of the several
states; South Carolina had received the arms in
question, and therefore If the bill should pass the
senate in doing an act OF generosity to south Car
olina, would be simply robbing the other states.
r.,
protested against il.
The bill was passed--yeas 80, nays r.
The senate then took up and passed the bill to
authorize and direct the managers of the Home
for Disabled Volunteer Soldiers to locate branch
states of Arkansas, Colorado, Kansas, Iowa, Min
nesota, Missouri, and Nebraska.
By Mess MOT Of c
Mr. Miiers amendment authorizes the board of
managers to receive propositions from the mana
gers Of the Veterans home located in Napa
county, CAL, for the transfer of the buildings and
property OF that home to the United States for use
as a branch of the National Soldiers home, and to
report to congress in respect to the proprety and
expediency OF the acceptance OF said Veterans
home.
Mr.. Miller thought this a most desirable transfer
to be made, as all homes on this side Of the noun
tains would be too far away for the soldiers OF the
Pacific coast.
Mr.. Conger said the soldiers and sailors of Mich
igan W ere unanimous in their demand for a home,
in their own state, where they would be among
people who would take an interest in them. On
his motion the bill was 30 amended as to require
the board of managers to inquire into the eN-
pediency oil establishing branch home in Mich
igen
providing that the amendments should not inter.
iere with or delay the establishment of the home
provided for by the bill. Two hundred and ffty
thousand dollars are appropriated TO carry out the
purposes of the bill.
Mr. Slater according to notice given some days
land grants Of the Northern Pacific Railroad com.
pany, addressed the senate on q motion to refer
the bill TO committee.
Mr.. Slater severely criticised the course of the
land department OF the government, reading
from the testimony Of an employe of that depart
ment to show that doubts were resolved in favor
Of the railroad corporations and against settlers.
Referring specifically to the Northern Pacific
grant the road had earned 100000 acres, and
since the term of the grant expired II had earned
3OVgo0OO more In round numbers, 1t had earned
the very lowest estimate, will realize Sl0O0000OO.
and its coal lands on the sound were SO valuable
company was not entitled to any leniency, 1t was
simply entitled to the letter of the law and no
more. The company had. In 1869, invited
settlers to go upon their agricultural lands West Of
the Missouri river and promised that each settler
who should settle on those lands in advance of
purchase them at $500 per acre, Thousands ac-
copied the proposition and settled on the lands
and improved them. Yet, last fall aud winter
agents of the company went around and appraised
those lands at prices varying from $3.50 TO Sl5 per
acre, and the settlers were told that II they were
not ready or willing to come TO terms Others would
be glad To purchase their lands.
Mr.. Slater's BILL he said, sought only to forfeit
the lands adjacent 10 the unCompeted portion of
the road, not being able TO satisfy himself that
any other portion of the lands were now within
the reach of congressional legislation. He moved
the reference Of the bill to the committee on pnb
lie lands.
Ar. Dolph asked that the bill lie on the table
for few days, to which Mr.. Slater assented.
Consideration of the bankruptcy bill was then
resumed, and amendments were offered by MessTs. |
George, Morgan, Wilson, Hoar and others. Mr.. |
HOar and other senators were anxious to have the
bill disposed Of TO- day, and were willing to sit
late to accomplish that end, but, 1t becoming
manifest that considerable discussion would arise
on some of the proposed amendments, the senate
lat 5:25 p. n.y. adjourned.
Among the amendments agreed to was one pro-
posed by Mr. George giving debts due TO labortng
men and domestic servants priority over debts
due TO the state the United States. Mr., George
expressed the belief that II was time to do away
with the practice hitherto prevailing in all coun
tries OF giving debts due the government priority
over those due TO hard. working day laborers and
domestic servants In the employ Of bankrupts.
Before adjournment Mr.. Plumb gave notice
that he would to-day move to take up the pOstof-
flee appropriation bill, whether the bankruptcy
Dill should be then disposed Of or not.
Adjourned.
THE HOUSE.
on motion OF MIR. Price, of Wisconsin, a bill was
passed authorizing the construction of railroad
bridge across the 81. Croix river In the states of
Wisconsin and Minnesota.