Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-02-07
CONGRESSIONAL WORK
PROCEEDINGS IN THE UPPER AND LOWER
HOUSESOP CONGRESS.
Riddlebsrgsr Sunmarily Suppressed IN the Senate
4 Bout With Sherman-Ar. Platt's Little
Tslk-WOrk IN the HOuSs-Spsaksr
Pro TEN. Thanked.

WASHINGTON, February 6.-In the Sem
ate to-day, after the discharge of routine
busines, Mr.. HOar reported a resolution
for q joint meeting of the two houses OF
Congress and an grafton by the Chief
Justice on the anniversary of the inaugura-
ton OF Constitutional Government
Mr., voorhees, stated that he hoped this
would be followed by some proposition to
bring representatives of all the American
republics together on this occasion.
Mr.. Hoar said this was under considera-
tion.
Mr. Riddleberger took the floor and
stated that an international matter having
been referred to, it was perhaps in order
TO discuss his resolution for consideration
in open session of the British extradition
treaty. He held that treaty in his hand,
but could not refer to it without violating
an injunction OF secrecy. If the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee proposed an
important amendment TO that treaty, the
public was entitled to know what it was
and who favored it. he asked the Chair
man Of the Foreign Relations Committee
whether he would answer that question.
Senator Sherman replied that he might as
we'll be asked whether he would pick
pocket OF commit another crime or viola
ton of his duty ~ q Senator and a gentle
man. He would call the Senator from Vir-
ginia to order.
The chair announced that any reference
to executive usiuess was violation of the
rules and an impropriety which he would
prevent. He cautioned Mr.. Riddleberger
not TO tfansgreSS further.
Mr.. RiddlebeTger replied by a personal
attack on Mr. Sherman and a reference to
his letter to a political club announcing
the vote which he intended to cast in secret
session on the Lamar nomination. He
said that he would accept the decision of
the chair, although the country was en-
titled to the information which he had
sought to bring out in open session.
The constitutional centennial resolution
WAS then adopted.
The Educational bill having been laid
before the Senate was temporarily laid
aside, at the request of Mr.. Platt, who
DlNs'EtNlGtl W hNlNAlCNN lA4C DSutLlC upOh
Presidents message.
"ls the President u free trader?" he
asked. II he was he ought to be willing
to he called one. he had sent to Congress
at its opening the most remarkable paper
ever submitted TO any Congress by a Chief
Executive. No other President had ever
ignored all questions, but one.
The President had called import duties
a scheme fDr the benefit of manufacturers.
Had the President heard of the duty on
steel rails? 1t was SIT ton, and steel
rails had been sold in this country as low
a. $2S so ton, which would put the cost,
less tariff, at Sl1.50 ton, and no
European manufacturers could make steel
rails that cheap and ship them to this
country.
Mr. Platt declared that either the Presi
dent in his message intended free trade or
else ne was not dealing fairly with the
American people.
Without finishing his speech Mr.. Platt
yielded for an executive session and Sen
ate soon after adjourned.