National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1885-03-18
uN1rEp srArrs sENArE.
Labor Question to Re ExAmlned-A Select
Committee to Investigate tho Subject Of
Inter.state Commerce

Interstate Commerce.
At yesterdays session ofth Senate the reso-
luton offered on Monday by Mr.. Blair au.
thorzing the committee on education and
labor to sit during the recess was taken up.
Mr. Morrill, thought there ought to be an in
vestigation Of the contingent fund. There
were propositions pending for three commit.
tees TO sit during the recess.
Mr.. Blair said there need be no investigation
Of the contingent fund rs preliminary TO the
passage Of this resolution. IL was not con.
teinplated 10 spend any considerable amount
OF money.
The resolution was adopted.
MIR, Cullom's resolution to appoint a select
committee 10 investigate the subject of inter.
state commerce was laid before the Senate.
Mr.. CullOm said there was no purpose TO
provide q play spell' for senators; When
the Interstate commerce bill was before the
Senate there was lack Of definite informa.
tion. The purpose OF the resolution was to
secure the Information which would enable
Senators to act ittelligently when the subject
next came before the body. lie did not ap-
prehend that 1t was going to be very expcn-
slve affair
Mr.. Hoar thought that Senators would agree
| that the most valuable state paper Of recent
DOM from the committee on transportation
routes TO the seaboard, upon the subject OF
Interstate commerce. That brought the mat.
Ter down to 1875. A year ago ho lNr. Hoatl
u
the work to bring the subject down TO the
present time.
hr. Harrison suggested that the committee
upon transportation routes 10 the seaboard be
instructed to continue the work.
Mr.. Cullom said that committee had beon
instructed to continue the general subject, but
there were specific branches which under It's
resolution the committee was not authorized
TO go into.
Mr.. Conger saw no reason why this matter
should be taken from a standing committee
ana given TO special committee. Under SEN
ate rules ali matters relating to this subject
were referred to the committee ON commerce
Mr. Miller, Of New York. said that for some
| years the committee ON commerce had not as
sutncd control Of transportation by railroad,
\ He thought the committee on commerce ought
| to investigate tho workings OF the shipping
| bill which was passed year ago. lie believed
that al the interests of foreign commerce re-
| guired that very thorough investigation
should be made OF that SUI Ject. II the com.
mcrce committee did that during the recess II
would have all II could properly attend TO-.
Mr.. Harrison said several committees had
already been directed TO make Investigations
and subcommitteos would have TO be sent 10
| the Indian territory and Montana, He under
| stood that tho contingent fund had already
| been drawn upon TO pay some expenses OF the
inauguration, and IL might bo found in col
lapse.
| Mr.. Allison thought the proposed investiga.
| tion important, and that the contingent fund
was sufficient for the purpose.
alI IuNtN NIlNltlhtu tIt tlOllbt VI htpItatul
aiiyes for lis failure TO appoint II conference
committee on the Interstate commerce bill OF
| last session.
Mr.. Maxcy vigorously defended the House.
\ IL had voted down the commission proposition
after full deliberation. The Senate had cut out
all the House had put In and put In all the
| House had rejected
| Mr. Mcpherson said thatthe subject had been
more fully Investigated than any other now be
! fore Congress. There was no necessity for fur
thcr investigation, and If one was ordered It's
| best plan of procedure would be 10 study the
| files OF the House committee.
several amendments were proposed and nc.
| cepted, and the resolution was adopted with
| out division, It Is as follows:
RcsOircd, That select committee OF i've
| senators be appointed to Investigate and re.
| port upon the subject Of the regulation of
| transportation by railroads and water routes
In connection Herewith or competition with
railroads Of frelghts and passengers between
the several states, with authority to sit during
the recess of Congress, and with power TO
summon witnesses and TO do whatever is
| necessary for IL full examination of the sub
| joct, and report TO the Senate on or before the
| second Monday In December. Said commit.
\ tee shall have power to appoint clerk and
| stenographcr, and the expenses OF such lnves-
| tigation shall be paid from the appropriation
| for expenses of inquiries and Investigations
| ordered by the Senate.
Upon motion of Mr.. Miller, OF California,
| the senate at 1:J0 went into executive session.
| Al i.i5 n. m the doors were rcopened and
| the senate adjourned.