The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-08
Dir. Ingalls, States an Ugly Fact as to
Popular Feeling Toward the Senate.
A Debate in the House on the Interstate Com.
merce Bill, in Which the Leading
Members Take an Active Part.
THE SENATE.
Mr. Morrill, Makes Attack on the Presi.
dent as a Treaty Maker.


by Captain Eads of channel in the south pass
of the Mississippi river.
Among the petitions presented was one by Mr.
Plumb, from the Oklahoma settlers who set
forth that the lands they occupy have been long
since bought from tie Indians by the United
States and paid for; that the United States did
not expect that the Indians should again occupy
the land, and the petitioners, therefore. see
reason why they should not be allowed to re-
main in the homes established for themselves
and families. They protest against the cruelty
of their removal and say they would not have
been disturbed but for the great influence Of
wealthy and powerful cattle owners, who do not
themselves pretend to have any title to the
lands, but who use the land for grazing cattle.
The petitioners ada that they have gone to
Oklahoma to stay, with their plows and axes,
and that thousands of their friends expect to
go there, and they pray Congress to withdraw
the military forces and take early steps to organ
lie the Territory of Oklahoma into State.
In presenting the petition, Mr.. Plumb said
that although these settlers may be guilty of
technical violation of law, as the law was inter
preted by the Attorney general, yet Congress had
already said the lands in question should not be
again occupied by Indians, and it seemed to him
the time had come when Congress should say yea
or nay On the question of the occupancy of these
lands by white settlers He hoped the commit
tee on Indian affairs would act on the subject at
the earliest opportunity.
Mr.. Dawes said the committee had already ex-
amned the subject, and reported that in the
present condition of the title TO the lands they
could not be opened to settlement and the Senate
had adopted that report.
The Senate passed the joint House resolution
appropriating $50 900 to relieve the wants of des
ttuta Indians.
Mir. Morrill, called up his resolution declaring
that reciprocity treaties with nations of inferior
population and resources should be regarded
with disfavor. and spoke at length in its sup
port, taking the ground that recpro-
city treaties were unconstitutional; that
apart from their constitutionality, they were
''incurably wrong that they were at war with
the most-favored- nation" clause in all other
treaties; that the socalled reciprocity" treaties
with inferior nations surrendered much home
trade in return for little foreign trade, and that
real reciprocity with such nations was impossi-
BILE. Throughout the entire speech there was
careful avoidance of distinct mention of the
Spanish treaty, the statistics of our trade with
Mexico being mainly relied on by Mr. Morrill, to
support the soints that there could be no real
reciprocity with nations of inferior population
and resources, and that we gave up much more
than we gained by such treaties.
few extracts from Mr.. Morrill's speech will
serve to give its spirit Among other things he
said;
'"The President is commander in chief of the
army and navy, but this gives him no author
ity to invade the power of Congress to raise
money TO support the army and navy"
Tho President, with the concurrence of two
thirds of the Senate, makes treaties, but under
cover Of this authority constitutional treaty
can be made TO regulate commerce with foreign
nations, or to initiate revenue bills any more
than to establish uniform law of bankruptcy or
naturalization and these, together with all
other powers which specially confided to
Congress, or to the House of Representatives by
the Constitution. stand as a flaming sword
against all encroachments of the executive, and
forever limit and exclude the reach of its treaty
making power"
1.-THE action of the House, or even of Con
gress, in 1856, cannot impair, abridge or take
away tho legislative authority of the next or
any succeeding Congress to regulate commerce,
nor of the House of Representatives to originate
revenue laws nor will this legislative authority
be abdjcated, even by making the executive the
her-apparent"
1T is an insidious method by which the vastly
important power of the House of Representa-
tives over all revenue bills may, with an am
bilious executive, become obsolete and utterly
valueless'
I'VE cannot afford to demolish the accepted
theory of republican government by sanction
ing the imitation of such bills by the executive
We canaot afford to change the Constitution by
merely a new Interpretation, and without any
change in the fundamental law
Taking up the subject of the Mexican treaty
r. he
requiring, for the most part less clothing than
sufficed for our banketed Indians. \ reciprocity
treaty with people of that character could not
be made for the United States, even by the hero
of Appomattox. In conclusion, he insisted that
reciprocity treaties were unrepublican in origin
and character, tending to largely increase the
power of the executive, and making Congress
mere register of the executive will
INTERSTATE COMMERCE.
Confederation of the interstate commerce bill
was resumed
Mr. Bayard expressed the hope that consider
alton of the bill in the Senate would be carried
no further for the present, as the question en-
braced in the bill was under consideration In
the House. with probability of an early decis-
ION on it by that body. Besides there were
questions of far reaching Importance involved
In the measure, Mr.. Bayard, for his own part
wished for longer time for elaboration and
more information on the subject He had never
desired TO vote on a question of doubtful consti-
tutionaitty. The responsibility was upon Con
gress to affirmatively show that it had power to
do that which It proposed TO do and not leeis-
late in doubtful premises. He did not seek to
restrict the power of Congress to regulate inter.
state commerce; but all men knew that the rail
roads were working under State charters. and
however plain may be the right or power Of
Congress- to regulate commerce between the
States. 1t was certain Congress had never hith-
erk0 exercised it,
Mr.. Cuilom replied that the House had been
discussing the subject for ten years. and it was
not necessary for the Senate to wait on the ac-
ton Of the House. The Senate would not do it's
duty to the country If it did not proceed with
this BILL
Mr. BAyard preferred to wait to SEQ what sort