The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-08

be to the interest of the genteman's section that
freight should be carried at nominal rates; 1t
was to the interest of the Stevens section that
gold should be had at par. Mr. Stevens made
an attempt to accomplish that object by the
passage of bill prohibiting dealing in gold 1t
was supposed by the gentleman from Pennsyl
vania that an act of this august legislative BODY
would be sufficient to accomplish that
result. In less than three days he
found that his attempt to overcome
the laws of trade and commence were utterly
futile. The price of gold rose until the very ex-
istence of the country was threatened, and no
one was reader than Mr. Stevens to assist in
the repeal of the law The laws of trade would
be just as powerful against the ealct OF the gen.
tleman from Texas as against that OF Thaddeus
Stevens. He Mr.. Phelps) had right to
see what it had seen in the past and 10 his
prophecy there was nothing of threat. He rec
ognized, with certain feeling OF injury, that
the gentleman from Texas had spoken with
considerable amount of personal feeling. The
gentleman had referred to him as rich
man. If he must make confession he
would do it, but only under this
taunt 1t he had once enjoyed the distinction
(if it were distinction) of being rich, that dis
tinction had been very greatly diminished, If not
entirely destroyed Mr.. Phelps went on to say
that he had sunk $500 900 in assisting other cap
italists to build railroad in Texas through the
town of Palestine. where the gentleman from
Texas resided The money was still there in the
railroad. and he had never received dollar OF
interest on his stock. Was it wrong that, having
had this and similar experience, speaking from
practice not theory-speaklng not arrogantly-
to tell the gentleman from Texas that of which
he knew nothing except in theoryt
Mr.. Reagan disclaimed any personal feeling in
the matter He called attention to the fact that
the railroad in Texas to which the gentleman re-
ferred had been literally aided by the State.
Mr. Phelps did not deny this, but cited the
further fact the Legislature of Texas, after hav-
ing promised to aid the road by the issue OF
bonds, had failed to fulfill its promise.
Mr. Reagan declared that the Legislature
which made the promise consisted of the repre-
sentatives of robbers and thieves.
Mr.. Hewitt, of New York, in speech in oppo-
sition to the bill, said he found the gentleman
from Texas taking the only defense he had ever
of the Southern States He had told the House
that the reconstruction Legislature of Texas had
secured the construction of the great highway
but that this was such an outrage that when
the bargain All he (Mr. Hewitt) could
say was that these scalawags builded
wiser than they knew, and that the honest men
who came in afterward did not seem to under
stand legislation we'll the scalawags did,
AS to the bill under consideration, he for one,
was tired of this kind of legislation and this i'll
difference to the plainest facts, which ought to
be known to every man, even the gentleman
from Texas.
Mr. Reagan inquired whether the gentleman
pretended to speak with the voice of New York
The voice of New York was better expressed by
its Legislature, which demanded legislation on
this subject.
Mr.. Hewtt-For commission. I favor
commission.
Mr.. Reagan have no doubt the~gentleman
would take a commission that would not do any
thing. and would not be expected to do anything.
If the voice of the people of New York could be
/ heard, instead OF the voice of aggregated cap
ital, a very different voice would be heard.
Then passage at arms took place between
Mr.. Keifer and Mr.. Reagan, the former denying
the statement made by the latter, to the effect
that the committee on commerce Of the Forty
seventh Congress was packed against the bill,
and the latter reiterating his statements.
On motion of Mr. Hopkins, an amendment was
adopted giving United States courts power to
issue writs of mandamus compelling railroad
companies to forward freight.
Mr.. Hammond offered an amendment propos-
| ing that no case brought under this act, in any
| State court of competent jurisdiction, shall be
removed to any United States court. Agreed to
yeas 124 nays 49,
Mr.. Hammond in speaking to the verbal
amendment, said he believed any rigid rule
with regard to railroad rates, rigid rules to
railroad management, would work evil, and only
| evil, to the people, While there was much to
be said in favor of legislation the subject of
railroads, much more was to be said against any
| Procrustean bed on which all must lie, though
it took knife to make them fit. He knew the
| expressions of the railroads but he knew, also,
| put on them would, sooner or later come out of
| the pockets of the people. He was unwilling
! that the bill should be voted upon without his
! declaring that while he differed with reluctance
| from the gentleman from Texas, he felt COM
| PEELED to vote against this legislation.
| Mr.. Perkins offered as an amendment all Sec
tons of the bill originally reported from the
| committee on commerce creating an interstate
| commerce commission and defining its duties.
| Mr.. Hammond moved to amend by providing
| that the commissioners shall not be appointed
until the 9Th of March, 1885. Pending action,
| the matter went over.
| Mr.. Gibson offered resolution declaring 1t
the duty of this Congress to enact such laws and
make such appropriations as will enable the
government to commence at once the conStruc-
ton of navy suitable for both offensive and
defensive purposes in time of war Referred.
On motion of Mr.. Cox, of New York, reso-
luton was adopted calling on the Secretary of
| the Navy for information in regard to the cause
of Naval Cadet Frederick S. Strong, of Oregon,
who it is alleged, died in consequence of cruel
ties inflicted by senior cadets. The allegation
| on which the resolution is based is that the
cadet came to his death from the effect of So
called 'horse play on the part of the third
class he being put in barrel and rolled around.
Adjourned.
Funeral of Rev. Noah Hunt SchencIx.