The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-06
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
THE SENATE.
Routine Business--Debate ON Senator Gull
lom's Interstate anne Bill.


Routine Business-Debate ON Senator Cul-
lom's Interstate Commerce Bill.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-The Chair laid before
the Senate the credentials of Hon. Justin S.
Morrill,. reelected senator from Vermont; also,
the report of the Secretary of War relating to
the Portage Lake and Lake Superior ship-canal,
showing the interest of the State of Michigan
therein.
Among the petitions presented was one by
Mr.. Sherman, from the Society of Friends,
praying that provision be made in the pending
Spanish treaty for settlement by arbitration of
any differences that may arise between Spain
and the United States. Referred.
Bills were introduced and referred as follows:
By Mr. Beck: To create a revenue commits
sion. 1t provides for the formation of a COM
mission to be composed of the Secretary of the
Treasury, five members of the House of Repre-
sentatlyes, and three senator's, to examine and
report to Congress, on or before the second Mon
day in December, 1885, what changes or modi-
hcatlonS ought to be made in the s-sisting tariff
and internal revenue laws.
BY Mr.. Voorhees,: To repeal the statute of
limitation on allowance Of pension arrears, and
and to regulate proof in pension cases. Mr..
voorhees, also introduced a concurrent resolu-
ton extending the thanks of Congress to Com
modore Schley, Lieutenant Emery, and all
officers and men of the ships Alert, Bear.
Ihetis, aud Lochgarry, for the daring and skill
displayed by them in the rescue of the survivors
or the Greedy arctic expedition. Referred.
MIR. Miller, of California, offered a resolution,
which was agreed to, calling on the Secretary of
State for copies of all treaties, except the postal
treaties, entered into by the United States. rati-
fcations of which have been exchanged, will
such notes as are in his possession, indicating
such treaties or parts OF treaties as have been
changed or abridged. /.
The Senate then proceeded to consideration of
bills upon the calendar and the interstate COM
gress, Mr.. Wilson said, would remedy all the
difficulties of the transportation business, a
wise, just and conservative start could
be made toward putting that business on a
proper footing in its relation to the government
and the people. The bill before the Senate
was not, perhaps, perfect, but it was a begin
ming. We had already crossed the line at which
railroad companies had tenaciously contended
that the government must stop. The railroad
companies had not been content to manage their
own affairs, but had intermeddled with almost
every industry of the country. The practices of
those companies; by which the abnormal growth
OF some localities was secured at the expense of
others, should be made to cease. No person or
locality should be Disseminated against. 1t
would not do to say natural law was the best
guide in this matter, because, in contravention
of all natural law, the railroad companies had
destroyed all competition by pooling" They
nau ntleQ the country with hctltlouS and
watered st, eks. Mr.. Wilson would admit
that the advocates of the natural law"
theory were right, provided that the
law were allowed natural expressions;
but the transportation companies have OBJ
stru cted the expression and operation of every
natural law that would interfere with their
interests. Rates had been so adjusted as to
compel centralizations of freights in favored To-
~calities. railroads were capitalized at mon
strously exaggerated amounts, and the people
were compelled to pay dividends on these
amounts.
Mr.. Sewell opposed the amendment to pro-
hibit pooling, and the provision to prevent rail
roads charging. more per mile for a short haul
than a long one. Railroad charges in the United
States were, he said, less than anywhere in the
world.
Messages were received from the President
transmitting the report of the Secretary of the
Interior regarding the present relations of the
Cheyenne and Arrapahoea Indians, and recon
menaing some provisions for disarming those
and other Indians when such action is found
necessary for their advancement civilized pur-
suits, the Indians to be compensated for the
arms taken.
After executive session the Senate adjourned.