The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-05
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.

Passage of the Cullom Interstate Commerce
Bill-Debate the Silver Question.
WASHINGTON, Feb After the reading of
the journal the Char-Mr. Edmunds-asked
unanimous consent to invite to the floor of the
Senate the Chief Justice of the Dominion of
Canada, who was in the Capitol Unanimous
consent was given.
The Chair laid before the Senate the Presi-
dents message relating to Mrs Grants offer to
the government of the swords and other civil
and war testimonials lately belonging to General
Grant, and recommending Congress to pass a
bill to enable the President to place General
Grant on the retired list
Mr.. Hoar. from the committee on privileges
and elections, presented the credentials of Mr.
Evarts, the new y--elected senator from New
York. which have been found defective not be-
ing signed by the Governor or countersigned by
the Secretary of State. while the detailed pro-
ceediLgs of the Legislature, which are furnished
| are not necessary. The credentials and report
were laid on the table, Mr.. Hoar saying the de-
| fciency would doubtless be supplied before Mr.
| Evartss term should begin.
resolution offered by Mr.. Hill was agreed to-.
calling on the Secretary Of the Interior to COM
municate to the Senate the reports of inspectors
Hobbs and Green. of the General Land Office, on
the subject of fraudulent titles to lands in New
Mexico, and the correspondence thereto relating.
resolution offered by Mr.. Cockrell was
agreed to, calling on the Postmaster general to
| explain why certain statements have been erased
| from the documentary history OF the railway
| mail service recently sent the Senate.
| When the resolution was offered Mr.. Hoar
| suggested that private note to the Postmaster
general would probably secure the information.
! Mr. Cockrell said he had no idea that the Post
| mastergeneral had himself seen or known of the
erasure, but he Mr. Cockrell) thought it as well
| that the inquiry should take the form OF reso-
| luton.
| The Senate then, on motion of Mr. Cullom, re-
! sumed consideration of the interstate commerce
bill
| Mr.. Van Wyck moved to modify the section
| that provided for payment of the necessary ex-
! penSes OF the commission so as to cover only
| necessary travelling expenses. He said there
| had been so much scandal in connection with
| expenses of commissions, ETC., and the Treasury
! Department had been so liberal, that he Mr..
Van Wyckj thought the addition to the section OF
| the words suggested was desirable.
| When the question had been put, the presiding
| officer, Mr.. Frye, after the usual pause, re
marked: 1.-THE Chair has not heard any senator
vote either aye or no. and is therefore II
] doubt"
- ~ -hreught out a full vote, which was unan
nous for Mr. Taii' " " ;S'~k,s motion.
| Mr.. salisbury submitted an amendlI-..9t~ pro
viding that right of action at present allowed
by law should be denied after passage of the bill
under consideration, but Mr.. Wilson proposing
an amendment of similar tenor and somewhat
more comprehensive, Mr.. Salisbury withdrew
| his amendment, and the Wilson amendment was
agreed to.
| Mr.. Salisbury, in some remarks on the bin,
| said he had never seen any good come of com
missions. What had the ciyil-service commits
| sion ever accomplished
| Mr.. Plumb remarked that what it had accom-
| plished would, to Democratic apprehension. be
much mole apparent in about thirty days thar
| it had ever been before.
The bill having been perfected, it was reported
| to the Senate from the committee of the whole
read third time, and passed--yeas 49, nays II
Following is the vote in detail: