National Republican., 1888-02-03

tthtth anu IcltEttu III Lut Cbuhbt ltotSIuuJ
d was one, numerously signed, from Penn
fylvania asking such change Of laws as to
bar all pauper immigration; to prevent the
landing Of immigrants under contract; to
5ebar from citizenship all foreigners who
owe allegiance to other powers or govern
ments, and to require twentyone years
retidence before any immigrant can hold
any public Office Of trust or emolument.
Also, one from over 200 persons inter.
ested in transportation on the Arthur XIII,
obiecting to the structure which ia being
built across that stream. Referred to the
committee on commerce.
Dir. Plat gave notice that he would next
Monday submit some remarks on the Presi-
deDts message.
Mr.. Doiph gave notice that he would
next Tueseay call up the bill for payment
OF the unpaid balance OF the Oregon and
Washington Indian war claims OF 1855 '5G
and address the Senate on the subject.
Mr.. Plumb offered two resolutions call
ing for information-one as to the. charges
made by registers. and receivers Of land
offices for reducing testimony to writing
and the other as to why proper care and
protection are not given to the Military
Cemetery at Mound City. Kan, They
were laid over. a.
TIE resolution offered by Mr.. Plumb
some days since, as to the inefllciency of
postal service In the west and south, was
taken up for discussion.
Mr.. Plumb said that IL had not been his
purpose, in Offering the resolution, to
Introduce snything of partisan character;
but simply to have the bad condition OF
the mali service rectfed. He might have
multiplied the testimony which he had
presented as to the inefliciency Of the ,il
service in the western country. 1t was not
rply for N the n G.
papers. The mails OF senators aud
representatives were burdened with co n.
plants OF like character. He did not
care anything about the changes OF post
masters made by the administration. The
Postmaster General had a perfect right to
make them. The first consideration as to
the mail service was speed and safety.
Economy came in afterward. He would
not berate anybody for exhibiting proper
economy. He had done as much for econ
0my In the public service as the average
member Of this body, and would be the
lhet to complain OF any undue care mani
tested In the expenditure OF public funds.
Blu, In this case there seemed to be an
updue desire to make both ends meet.
Something had been said In the discussion
about the reduction Of postage; and 1t had
been said that there was no more reason
why the Postofice Department should be
self.sustaining than that the War Depart
have all the mails delivered free? When
the letter postage was reduced to 2 cents he
wac informed that that reduction had saved
100000 in q single year to firm in New
York city, and he knew great many people
to whom 1t had not saved 5 cents year.
So that the propoaed reduction Of postage
would be largely for the benefit OF few
persons and not for that Of the general
public. He had advocated the reduction Of
letter postage to cents, and had reported
bill for that purpose; but he was not In
favor OF reduction without regard to the
revenue.
At the close of Mr.. Plumb's remarks
Mr.. Riddleberger complained that the time
had been purposely consumed until the
close of the morning business so as to keep
him from getting up the resolution to con-
sjder the British treaty In open session, and
be declared that lie had overheard the Sen
Ator from Kansas say In low tone that he
would fill up the half hour till 2 o'clock.
In that connection Mr.. Riddleberger
as something which he had also overheard.
He displayed copy Of the New York
Tribune OF the 2lst July, 1856, which (he
said) contained the treaty with Great
Britain, aud ridicuied the Idea OF its being
secret. He remarked also that some sena-
tore whose private secretaries were con-
neeted with the press always managed to
get their speeches (made in secret session)
published very much in the order In which
they were delivered.
At2 O'Clock the Blair educational bill
came up as unfinished business, but. with
the consent Of Mr.. Blair, 1t was informally
laid aside.
Mr.. Quay asked and obtained unanimous
consent for the consideration OF the bill re-
ported from the committee on pensions to
increase the pensions OF certain soldiers
and sailors who are utterly helpless from
injuries received or diseases contracted
While in the service OF the United States.
The bill was read and passed without
discussion and without division.
Ut provides that from and after its pas
sage all persons who are or who may be-
come totally helpless from injuries received
or diseases contracted while In the military
or naval service OF the United States shall
be entitled I receive pension of S72 per
month. Alyo that the increase allowed by
this act to those persons who may hereafter
beqome totally helpless shall be made to
cOilmence In strict conformity with section
AI.sh R,uie~a Statutes)
The presiding officer announced that he
had appointed, as the select committee to
which had been referred the Presidents
message on the Pacific railroads, Messrs.
Frye, Dawes, Hiscock, Morgan, Davis,
Mr.. Kenna then proceeded to address the
Senate on the subject Of the Presidents
message on the surplus revenue and tariff
mattere, and Of Mr.. Sherman's speech in
reply thereto.
The speech was quite lengthy one, and
after criticislng Senator Sherman's speech
and endeayoring to prove that the Ohio
statesman had changed his position on inn
portant political questions he went on to
assert that the tariff line was the one which
divided the two great parties. Agood deal
Of stump oratory was INDUCED In, during
the issuance OF which the laboring classes
were called upon to indorse and support
the brave struggle for their rights which
was being waged BY the Democracy against
the protective tariff.
Mr.. Sherman congratulated his friend
from West Virginia at having proclaimed
the fact that the ranks Of the Democratic
party were closed, and that a distinct issue
was to be presented to the people. That
party had been In possession OF power 10
the House OF Representatives for more than
ten years and not single Affirmative
proposition or measure as to the tariff
question had been presented to the judg'
pent Of the American people.
II the Democratic party had, as Mr.
Kepna declared, closed up Its ranks, and II
there was to be fair, and manly contest
between the two parties on this great public
question, he would be delighted, but he did
not believe that the issue would be pre-
sented Let the Democratic ranks, he said
be closed. Let its propr ition to reduce
taxation be presented, q the Republican
party would be found with It's old ranks
unbroken ready to accept the issue and let
itgo TO the people. But for the Senator
from West Virginia to assail him for having
expressed views ten or twenty years ago
which appeared to be different from those
ne expressed day, was "rather small
hole 10 creep out off, 1t was true that
since the tariff discussions Of thirty yearl
ago be tSherman) might have changed hi:
mind, but II he had not done so, under the
changed conditions and circumstances, ht
would not be worthy OF a seat In the Senate
Applause in the galleries.
1t was on bill to repeal the internal