The Indianapolis sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis, Ind.) 1880-1904, 1885-01-15
PROCEEDINGS III CONGRESS.
A Bill for Placing General Grant on the
Retired List Passed by the Senate.
The Inter. State Commerce Bill Dis
oussed by the Senate-The
House Quiescent.
THE FORTY-EIGHTa CONGRESS.



ported bill, which passed, providing for
the compensation and expenses of special
electoral messengers, to be sent to Iowa and
Oregon for the returns OF the late Presiden-
tial elections of those States.
Mr. Cockrell asked why such q bill was
necessary.
Mr.. Allison said the returns were not here,
and the laws requested that In such a case
messengers should be sent.
Mr.. Cockrell suggested that copy of the
laws be sent to Iowa and Oregon instead of
messengers at great expense.
Mr.. Dolph explained that the snow block
ade on the Northern Pacific was partially
responsible for the failure to receive the Or
egon returns. A copy sent by the messen-
ger had been received.
Mr.. Edmunds, calling Mr.. Fry to the
chair, took the floor and called up the bill
offered yesterday by him, providing that
the President may appoint to the retired list
one person who has occupied the position of
General, commanding the army of the
United States, or General-in-Chief OF the
United States Army. He moved an amend
ment by adding with the rank and full pay
may be. The amendment was agreed to
Mr.. Cockrell desired to record his vote
against the bill, not knowing IL the yeas and
nays would be called on it. The retired list
was not the place for private citizsne. II
had Deen created for officers, who, being stin
in the service. had been rendered unfit for
duty. There was neither justice nor propri-
ETY. IN placing private citizens on such a
iist. General Grant was now enjoying the
receipt OF $4,000 year, which was enough
Cor the support OF any American citizsu.
The bill passed the Senate after a short
debate-yeas, 40; nays, 8.
Mr.. Edmunds spoke strongly and feelingly
in favor of the bill. Among the Dsm0crats
Msxey, Voorhees,. George, Gibson and Jonas
spoke in favor The Sc ators who voted nay
were Messrs Beck, Cockrell, Coke. Harris
Psrdleton, Salisbury, Slater, Vance aud
Walker.
Mr.. Cullom introduced q bill to increase
fhe appropriation for the public building at
Quincey. Ill, from Sl75 900 TO 5000 coo.
The Senate. MON motion of Mr.. Hale
took up the Naval ApI reputation BILL anu
the Senate Appropriation Com mittee's
amendments We're colcurred 10, aud tae
bill passed.
Mr.. Morgan asked unanimous consent to
osll up the bill declaring the forfeiture of
the lands granted the state of Michigan in
aid Of the construction of a railroad from
Little Bay 10 Marquette and Oatonogon.
Granted. Ee moved the bill bs committed
He said it was the purpose OF the committee
only to provide for the forfeiture Of IN
earned lsnds the description of the lands
made in the bill was incorrect aud required
amendment The bill was recommittsd.
The Chair laid before the Senate the Inter
s ate Commerce bill.
Senator Slater offered an amendment pro-
hibitiDg the charging OF a higher rate OF
compensation for transporting the same
kind and amount of property shorter dis
lance than for q longer distance. Senator
Slater described the operation OF the princi-
pie of discriminating against short hsuls"
and the suffering OF western communities IN
consequence.
Mr.. Cullom said the amendment was an
important one, but in his opinion its adoD-
ton would result in disaster to the railroads.
Mr.. Van WICK favored the amendment
and cited in illustration of the discrimlna.
tions practiced by the railroads and the com
binations made by the companies to resist
all attempts of the public to remedy the evil.
Mr.. Cullom said the adoption OF Skaters
amendment would seriously injure, not only
the producers OF the West but the consumers
of the East. 1t would injure hundreds OF
thouss DIS Of people,
Mr.. Van WYck had often heard this state
nent. but had seen 10 proof OF il. The peo-
pie of Nebraska, Wisconsin, Iowa, Il linois
and other States were suffering from the
extortions of the railroad. He would like to
know how a community could be benefited
by railroad charging as they did, in al
instance cited by him, $500 for q carload
delivered 600 miles east of San Francisco
and charging only $500 for carload deliv-
cred in San Franclsco-600 miles beyond.
Mr.. Hoar favored a commission, and said
the Massachusetts, Railroad Commission had
y accomplished results hardly less than mar
velous.
Mr. Coke inquired whsibsr commission
could act for the whole United States Is ad-
vantsgeously IS for single State.
Mr. Hoar thought it could not enter into
50 much minuteness, but could do great
cord.
: Mr.. Slater explained that his amendment
would have the effect 10 prohibit companies
from charging to any point west of New
York greater sum than IL charged 10 Ne y
YORK. IL il charged 500 a car to New York
1t should not charge more than 500 car %
any poiut between Chicago and New Y1rk.
He defended his amendment as tending 70
the building up OF places Of moderate Sis
l1stead OF concentrating population and
Business so deasely in few large cities Re
also cited cases OF extortion growing out OF
determinations by railroads in favor OF
large cities.
Mr.. Allison thought Mr. Slater's amsnd.
ment was q radica. departure from the prin-
ciple of the commission embodied in the
bill. IL would be fixing a cast iron rule
The sharp competition OF railroads aad water
routes rendered the establishment of such g
rule on matter so material undesirable
The principle OF the amendment would be
impossible OF application without seriou.
effect. At the risk OF some criticism Mr..
Allison. for one. preferred to favor the ap
pointment of commission of eminent men
as provided for by the bill, to thoroughly
examine the subject and give their combined
and mature judgment, and not to take the
hssty Judgment OF one man who had ex
amined the subject. He believed in makipG
haste slowly in this matter. Commission:
bad been successful in several States. let
commission be tried for the United States
Mr.. Van Wyck. while criticising Allison
position. was interrupted by Mcpherson
who said he could give Mr.. Van Wyck a sub
ject OF discussion that would last him ar
hour. This remark was greeted with genera