Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-01-08
YLrIIITH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, January I, 1885.

The Chair laid before the Senate the
report of the Missouri River Commits
sion and the report showing the MAIN
tenance by Captain Eads of the channel
in the South Pass of the Mississippi
river. The papers were appropriately
referred.
On motion Of Mr.. Dawes. the Senate
up took and passed the joint resolution
appropriating 100000 to relieve the
wants Of the destitute Indians.
Mr.. Morrill, called up the resolution
some weeks since submitted by him
relating to reciprocity treaties. The
resolution is as follows:
Resolred, That the so-called reci-
procity treaties having no possible basis
of reciprocity with the nations of infe-
rior population and wealth, involving
the surrender of enormously unequal
sums Of the revenue, involving the sur
rende' of immensely larger volumes Of
home trade than are offered to us in re-
turn, and involving constitutional ques-
tons Of the gravest character, are I'M
timely, and should everywhere be re-
garded with disfavor.
Mr.. Morrill, spoke at length in sup
port of the resolution, taking the ground
that the reciprocity treaties were I'M
constitutional that, apart from their
unconstitutionality, they were "incura-
bly, wrong; that they were at war
with the INSTRUMENTATION" clause
of all other treaties that the So
called reciprocity treaties with infe-
rior nations surrendered much home
trade in return for little for
eign trade, and that the real re-
ciprocity with such nations was
impossible. Throughout the speech
there is a careful avoidance of dis
tinct mention of the Spanish treaty,
the statistics Of our trade with Mexico
being mainly relied on by Mr.. Morrill,
to support the points that there could
be no real reciprocity with the nations
of an inferior population and resources,
and that we gave up much more than
we gained by such treaties. In con-
clusion, Mr.. Morrill, insisted that the re-
ciprocity treaties were unrepublcan in
their origin and character, tending to
largely increase the power Of the Ex-
ecutive, and making Congress a mere
register Of the Executive will.
The consideration of the interstate
commerce bill was then resumed. Mr..
Bayard expressed the hope that the
consideration Of the bill in the Senate
would be carried no further for the
present, as the question embraced in
the bill was under consideration in the
House, with the probability of an early
decision on it by that body. Besides,
there were questions Of far-reaching i'm
portance involved in the measure. Mr..
Bayard. for his own part. wished for a
longer time for deliberation and more
information on the subject. He had never
desired to vote on a question of doubt
full constitutionality The responsibility
was upon Congress to atiirmatively
show that it had the power to do that
which it proposed to do. and not legis-
late in doubtful premises. He did not
seek to restrict the power of Congress
TO regulate Interstate commerce, but
all men knew that the railroads were
working under State charters, and.
however plain may be the right power
of Congress to regulate commerce be-
tween the States, it was certain that
Congress had never hitherto exercised
it.
Mr.. Cullom replied that the House
had been discussing the subject for ten
years. and it was not necessary for the
Senate to wait on the action the House.
The Senate would not do its duty to the
country if it did not proceed with the
bill.
Mr.. Bayard preferred to wait and see
what sort of a measure the House would
present to the Senate. He could not
but feel that there had never been so
much power committed to any five men
on earth. as it was proposed by this bill
to commit to five commissioners. They
were TO form a sort Of superior board of
direction of all the transportation COM
panies of the thirty-eight States and sew
eral Territories.
Mr.. Ingalls, was surprised at the posi-
ton taken Mr.. Bayard that the Senate
should not consider the subject con-
temporancously with its consideration
hy the House of Representatives. 1t
was tantamomt to an admission that
when the House had any topic in hand
| the Senate would have either to take up
some other topic or 20 into executive
session. There was no subject ofgreater
importance to the people of the United
States than that of transportation, and
with only two months of the session
remaining we were advised TO await the
result of the deliberations Of the House.
We may as well deal plainly with
this subject continued Mr.. ingalls,.
The Senate of the United States-l
use plain languagI--the Senate of the
United States is suspected by the people
of this country with the desire to do
nothing on this subject. ] do not
need to appeal to the consciousness OF
any senator. do not need to appeal
TO The current strains of observation
that are made in the public press when
/ say that the Senate of the United
States is not the object of public adu-
lation at this moment in this country,
and regretted to hear the Senator from
Delaware (Mr. BayardD. supposed to be
/ the leader Of the new public opinion
under the new Eyangcl of reform in the
DAYS that are to come, grayely recon-
mcnding TO the Senate of the United
States to pursue the 'do-nothing poll
CIV that has characterized Congress on
| this subject for ten years past.
Mr.. Bayard said his object has been
TO avoid the waste of time that would
come of results that were not practical.
Regarding Mr.. lngalls'S reference to the
suspicious entertained Of the Senate Mr..
Bayard said MIR. President, | do not
know how it feels to be suspected. Sc
far in my life have not suffered from
that. do not know how far the Senate
of the United States is suspected, for II