National Republican., 1888-02-22
THE CABLE ELECTRIC ROAD
OCCUPIED THE ATTENTION OF THE
SENATE YESTERDAY.
MIR. Rlddieberger Goes for MIR. Cor
man and Calls Baltimore "the jew
Store of the Country''-Public Build
ing Bills in the House.

ment to the United States government to
become aparty to the International Geodetic
Association, and relative to the invitation
OF the Belgian government to participate in
the international exposition Of science and
industry at Brussels In May next, were, In
the Senate yesterday, presented and. re.
ferred to the committee on foreign relations
Mr.'sherman, from the committee on
finance, reported back, adversely, a bill
authorizing the Secretary Of the Treasury to
overrule and reverse the decisions Of all In
ferior officers Of the Treasury Department
In relation to matters OF account. Indefl-
nitely postponed.
Mr.. lIoar, from the committee on priv.
ileges and elections, reported resolution
authorizing that committee, and any sub
committee thereof, to continue the investi-
cation (ordered last SESSION. into the events
alleged to have taken place in the state of
Texas and set forth in the petition of
Stephtu Hackworth and Others Referred
he.committee on contingent expenses.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
By Mr. Plat: To provide for the estab.
liel lmtnt OF an experimental grass and for
age plant farm, and for the conducting OF
experiments relating to grass and forage
plants.
lie spoke of the importance OF the sub.
ject, gave the value OF the grass crop OF the
country at over thousand millions year,
and eaid that good grass meant good beef,
good mutton, good pork. good butter, good
cheese, and good milk. His bill provided
(he eaid) for the purchase OF farm In the
vicinity OF the hundredth meridian, where
extended experiments could be carried on,
and 1t also authorized the commissioner of
agriculture to carry on such experiments
without the purchase OF land) near the city
of Warrington, and required him to con-.
muncate the results to the different agri-
cultural colleges and the agriculturists
throughout the country.
Mr.. Plumb remarked that during the
last session the committee on appropria-
tions had reported an item in an appropra-
tion bill for the like purpose, but the
House conferes had objected to II, and It
was struck out.
The bill was referred to the committee on
agriculture.
Mr.. Chandler offered two resolutions
(which were agreed toy calling for informa-
tion as to the expenditures, employees, &C.,
OF the fish commission.
Mr.. Vest offered resolution (which was
referred to the committee on printing! for
the delivery to the Secretary Of the interior
Of all the public documents now in the
committee rooms, document rooms, and
library OF the Senate that are not required
and for their distribution by the Secretary
Of the Interior to universities, colleges, and
school libraries, or for sale.
The bill to incorporate the Washington
Cable Electric railway Of the District of
Columbia was then taken up, and the
committee amendments were disposed Of.
Mr.. German moved to increase the pro-
posed rate of taxation from per cent. of
the gross receipts to 10 per cent.
Mr.. Riddleberger opposed the amend
ment, remarkiDg that tho animus was ap-
parent.
: Mr.. German declared that he offered
the amendment because he thought 1t just
to the taxpayers Of the city. The rate
which be proposed was only half the rate
which street railroad companies In Balti-
more, with charters not so valuable, were
required to pay. Even those companies
whose routes were through sparsely-
than 9per cent. Of their gross receipts. The
history Of street railroads in New York
within the last couple Of years showed that
the proposed rate was moderate.
Mr.. Spooner, member OF the District
committee, opposed the amendments. In
view of the fact that the cable railway was
somewhat experimental, and that Its con-
struction cost ten times as much as horse
car road, that committee, he said, had been
inclined TO think that tax OF per cent.
on gross receipts would be adequate.
Mr.. German remarked that If the charter
were put up for sale at auction 1t would
sell for 100000, with 10 per cent. on the
gross receipts.
Mr.. Cockrell suggested that for the first
four years the TAX be 4 per cent. and after
that time 10 per cent.
- Mr.. German accepted the suggestion,
and modified his amendment accordingly.
Mr.. Mcpherson argued that the amend
ment was exceedingly liberal to the com.
pany, and thought that II the tax were put
at 20 per cent. the company would will
ingly pay 1t.
Mi. Black burn supported the amendment,
anf Ve Fin condemnatory terms OF the
exi!tSttris byreet railways Of the District,
ch ess ,ositN ny the companies as forming as
tsey this depd grinding monopoly as ever
tZEntS tahS community. He thought 1t
aIfxethf probable that the company
whfsh this bin incorporated would also
become monopoly; but, at all events, 1t
would be an Improvement on the present
mode OF city travel.
Mr.. Mcpherson inquired as to the taxa.
tion Of the horse railroad companies OF the
city, but did not get any definite informa.
ton on the subject. He said that he did
not want to have any invidious distinction
made between the cable company and the
horse cor company, and II the taxes OF the
latter could not be increased he favored
legislation reducing their rates of passenger
fare.
Mr.. Riddleberger denounced the amend
ment as meaning railroad by Rock Creek,
and as being In the interest of Baltimore,
''the jew store OF the country" and he re.
ferred to Mr.. German several times as the
"chairman Of the congressional committee
OF the Democratic party,n who desired, he
said, "to make Washington an outlying
suburb OF Baltimore" Finally the vote
was taken on Mr.. Gorman's amendment
and the result was yeas II, nays H.. As a
quorum did not vote there was call of the
Senate, when 81 senators (more than a
quorum) answered to their names. The
vote was again taken, and the amendment
was rejected by tie vote-yeas q, nays 81.
Yess--Messrs. Bate. Blackburn, Blodgett,
Brown, Butler, Coke, Eustis. Gibson; German,
Hampton, Hearst, Mcpherson; PascS; Payne,
%siSsy SssiiSSHy wilson, Hs5Ps Maa MEaGnaSf Vest voorhees,
Nays-Messrs. Allison, Bowen, Chace,
Chandler, Cullom, Davis. Dolph, Farwell,
DOCK, Plumb, Riddls6erser, sawyer. sherman,
Spooner stanford, Wilson OF IOwa-2l.
Mr.. salisbury moved to insert a provl-
sion that the act shalt not be construed as
contract with the company as to the
amount OF taxation or as to the manner In
which taxation may be imposed. Agreed to.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to strike out the
words "with the privilege Of entering the
capitol grounds under such restrictions as
the architect Of the capitol and the com.
missioners of the District may prescribe"
Agreed to.
Mr.. Morrill, also moved to strike out the
words "also, commencing at Sixth street
and Boundary northwest, with double
track along Sixth street to the Potomac
river" There was no need for parallel
lines, he said, the whole length of the city
ON Sixth street and Seventh street. He was
in favor of having the Seventh street line
changed into cable line.
After discussion the vote was taken by
yeas and nays, and resulted--yeas 2?, nays
10. AS a quorum did not vote, the roll was
called, and 81 senators (more than a
quorum responded. The vote was again