The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-06-13
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-
The Senate Discusses Important Topics.
Including the Louisiana Election,
Purchasing of Bonds, and the Operation Of
the lnterstai Commerce Law-Continua-
ton Of the Tariff Debate in the House.


wAsHISerox, June 12-Mr. Chandler offered
. resolution referring the credentials of Senator
Gibson. Of Louisiana. for his new term. to the
committee on privileges and elections. and In
structing that COMMITTEES TO inquire into all the
facts Of the senatorisl election. and 70 ascertain
and report whether or not, at the recent State
election in Louisiana. which included the cleo
tiou Of the State Legislature. the l36. TAG votes
returned for the candidate of the dominant
party for Governor were actually cast, IN view
OF the fact that ut no previous election had the
votes for the candidate of such party exceeded
1884, and Why in the parish Of Madison 1850
votes were cast for one party anc none for the
other, in East Felicians. 1876 70 5; In hore-
house, 1854 to IA; in Ouachita, 1884 to 8; In
Sabine. l,44l to q in Tensas. 4,627 TO ll3-with
similar returns from other parishes; also to as
Dsrtain and report whether or not. at such
State election, there was any violencs, intimids-
tion OF fraud, that prevented fair election.
and whether false returns were made and
counted. In case the committee shall conclude
that there were illeeAlities. frauds. false can
vases and false returns, 90 extensive and sys-
tsmatic IN their character as 10 show . deliber-
ass plan to carry the election, without regard to
the votes actually cast. and tn choose Governor.
State ofices and State Legislature by such ills-
gal. false and fraudulent means. then the COM
naitsee 10 instructed to proceed further. and in
cuirs and report whether the Legislators Was
actually and duly elected by the people of Lou
isiapa. or was in fact. solely the creation Of the
returning aud eanvassing officers. and whether
the State Of Louisiana had. on the I'D of May.
lsss-ths day OF Senator Gibson's elections
republican form OF government including .
Legislators, entitled to choose United States
Senators. The resolution was laid over till To-
morrow.
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.. Stow
srt, calling on the Secretary Of tho Treasury
Cor q statement of the offers and purchases Ut
bonds since April. 1858, with the Names etc..
Wa taken ND and discussed by Mir. Cockrell. he
having mosedto amend my striking out the
names.
Mr. Stewart argued against the amendment.
He expressed the belief that some persons had
secret advantages 10 the matter. that they dealt
from the bottom" all the time; that they
stocked the cards" and he wanted to know
who these Secret partners OF the government
wereS
Mr.. Beck thought that the amendment to
strike out the names was eminently proper.
The statement called for, without giving names,
would show whether bids were made at any
lower rates than were actually paid for bonds.
Mr. Stewart ask ed whether Mr.. Beck supposed
that the Treasury books would not show every
thing to be regular Did he not know 1t to be
possible to have she word passed around that
some individual had the ear Of the Secretary,
and the bonds should be offered through himf
The people had . right to know with whom the
government was dealing
Mr.. Beck said that the Senator from Nevada
would not rise and say that be believed, or had
any reason to believe, that the Secretary OF the
No.
eighth. or one-;enth. or cne-hundredth part Of
per cent. lower than he actually paid. The
Senator would not avow that. IL was not true
Therefore, no good could come of publishing the
names; nothing but evil would come Of 1t. be-
cause men would be deferred from making offers
Of bonds in their own names, and would have
recourse to brokers, thus adding to the cost
Mr. Stewart said he did not want expose
any oody's hand, but he wanted to know whether
there existed money trust with the govern
mert'
Mr.. Cockren modified his amendment so as
latter ''names'l to insert the words. 'other than
private persons
Mr, George asked Mr.. Stewart whether no
lad any information on which be relied that
any lower bid had been rejected and any higher
bid accented.
Mr Stewart-None whatever. That is the
information l want II l had the information
I would not be Offering this resolution.
Mr.. Cockrell said the Senator from Nevada
would not dare to charge misconduct on the Sec
eefary OF the Treasury.
MIR Stewart-I will say this: That the last
campaign Was run on the issue Of opening the
hooks: and now that they are open, want to
keep them open.
Mr. Cockre,i-That is very pitiful subter-
fuge Ia alswer to direct question The Sena-
tor from Nevada has been attempting. by indi-
rect means-means unworthy OF . Senator-to
cast inenua without having the manhood
or courage to make direct charge Every bit
Of the information which the resolution calls
for 10 published in the newspapers every day.
and he knows IT, II 10 nothing but morbid
curiosity that would ask for the publication OF
names IL seems to me that the whole process
10 In the interests Of corporations and trusts.
and that the whole object OF the resolution Is
70 bring before the bondholders the names and
addresses Of the great corporations and trusts
that are Offering bonds TO the government. 90
that Individuals may send their bonds TO them.
This resolution 10 not 10 the interest OF the hon.
est people Of the country who may have small
amount of bonds to offer to the government;
but 10 10 10 the interest Of the corporations and
trnsts and monopolies; Il 10 . cheap way OF adver-
tisinR them st the public expense, through the
Associated Press. | should think that they
could afford TO pay q round sum of money for
the passage of this resolution, and, doubtless, II
they we're called upon. they would contribute
good round sum TO the campaign fund
Mr.. Stewart said that when ne offered the
resolution be had suspicion that there WAS
any thing to DO covered up. but his faith had
keen shaken by the vehemence with which the
Senator from Missouri was attempting to con-
zeal the facts Where there was 90 much smoke
there must be some fire.
Mr.. Call argued that the resolution in
direct reflection on the high character Of the
Secretary OF the Treasury, and that il could have
no practical use.
Mr.. German deprecated the introduction of
party politics on such a subject, and compli-
mented Senator Sherman for his remarks yes
terday, and fer his having aided IN the legisla-
tion authorizing the purchase OF bonds. He
regretted that the subject had been brought in
. football 10 be kicked around, with q desire
to enoarrass the Treasury Department, and to
bring about financial disaster before the prssi-
Dental election. If any investigation were re-
quired IN the matter. 1t should be made by
committee of the Senate. a body organized in
opposition 10 the ADMINISTRATION. He therefore
moved the reference Of the resolution to the
committee on finance.
Mr.. Stewart said he did not want il referred
10 that committee. because he did not want the
resolution to be killed.
The resolution went over, without action, till
tomorrow.
The appropriation bill for the Department of
Agriculture vas reported from the committee
On appropriations aud placed on the calendar
On motion Of Mr.. Cullom the bill TO amend
he interstate-commerce law taken up. and
Mr. Cullom proceeded to address the Senate in
explanation and advocacy of il. The passage Of
that act he said. had marked a new era In the
nanagement Of the railway business OF the
United Ssatsa One OF the Immediate effects u