Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-02-10
AT THE CAPITOL TO-DAY.
UNSATISFACTORY MAIL SERVICE,
The House Adopts Resolution of Inquiry.
House OF Representatives.

Liquor Traffic in the District.
House OF Representatives.
Mr.. Allen MISSY asked unanimous consent to
proceed to the immediate consideration OF the bill
granting the right OF way through the Indian ter
ritOry to the Choctaw Coal and Railway Company.
Mr.. Holman reserved his right OF objection, and
Mr.. Allen proceeded to explain the provisions OF
the BILL first stating that the committee on Indian
Affairs believed that the construction Of railroads
in the Indian territory should be encouraged for
the reason that they promoted the civilization OF
the Indians, served tine public convenience, and
created no obstruction. The previous question
was then ordered and the bill was passed.
WESTERN COMPLAINTS OF UNsArIsFAcToRY MAIL
SERVICE.
Mr.. Anderson Ul.). from the post-offce commit
tee reported favorably Mr.. Perkins resolution d.
recting the PostmasterGeneral to inquire into and
inform the House OF the cause and foundation for
the grievances complained OF in Kansas newspa-
per regaTding the western mail service, and also
complaint prevailing in the West against the pres
ent unsatisfactory mail service results from the
employment OF inexperienced and incapable EN-
ployes, or insufficient appropriations. The COM
mittee reported an amendment, adding to the res
"And also that the Postmaster-Genera be d.
rected TO further inquire and inform the House
wnat, II any, improvements and extensions have
been made In the mail service OF the West during
the last two years."
MR.. DOCKERY pKFENDs THE SERVICE
Mr.. Dockery, OF Missouri, said that he did not
care to discuss the merits Of the resolution. He
would say, however, that the Post-Office Depart
ment, the committee, and the democratic side OF
the House courted the fullest investigation OF the
matter, and he was confident that investigation
would show that the postal service was effictent
II not more so, than at any time in its history.
Ia. Mr Per, Perkins Of Kansas wanted all OF the facts
1ault OF the House, in consequence OF Inadequate
APPROPRIATIONS, ha he desired to know IL and II It
nf be a made tnewn nS Tns Tssouon na
last month, and under the. rules should
ticular the pOst-office committee was almost as
unsatisfactory as the mail service. The resolu-
tion was not political, and the complaints came
from democrats and republicans alike. When the
answer came he would undertake 10 show that
they. were well founded. The resolution was
finally adopted after the insertion Of an amend
ment offered by Mr.. Holman, inserting the word
''alleged" before the word complaints"
LIQUOR TRAFFIC IN THE DISTRICT.
Mr.. Campbell (OhiO) called attention to four bills
relating TO alcoholic liquor traffic In the District
which had been referred to the District committee,
and moved TO have them referred to the committee
motion was agreed to by a vote OF 116 to 90
Another bill relating to the special tax upon
liquor dealers. was on MI: Campbell's motion
traffic TO the ways and means committee.
Mr.. Culberson Uex.), from the judiciary com.
mittee, reported favOrably bill to create an ar
bitratlon board to settle the differences between
The United States and Texas regarding Green
county, Texas.
PRIVATE BILLS.
number OF reports upon private bills were
presented, and the House began the consideration
Of bills on the private calendar.
To Investigate the Liquor Traffic.
AN ARGUMENT BEFORE THE COMMITTEE IN FAVOR OF
THE PROPOSED COMMISSION.
The Senate committee ON education and labor
this morning heard an argument by Mr.. A. NJ
Powell, Of New York, president Of the National
Temperance League in favor Of the bill to pro-
liquor traffic. 1t was expected that ex Congress-
man Hiram Price. vice-presdent OF the league:
Miss Willard and other noted prohibition advo.
Gates would oe present. but they did not reach the
city In time.
Mr.. Powell submitted a lengthy argument In
favor OF the bill and OF paying the Commissioners
salaries and expenses. He said that flood OF peti-
tions for prohibition in this District pouring
In upon Congress, and declared that this showed
desire OF the people TO suppress the liquor trac
urgently recommended an increase OF the police
force. Why was that necessary? He had no
doubt. from all the Information attainable,
Iowa had done providing legal machinery for shut
ting up the saloons, the United states Jail will
soon be II not altogether tenantless, at least
tenanted by many less prisoners. He said thai
the statistics obtained by the proposed commits
sion would aid Congress in deciding what to do
with the liquor business at the national capital.
THE BILL TO BE REPORTED FAvuRABLY
The committee after hearing an argument de-
cided to report favoraby the bill providing for
commission to inquire into the alcoholic liquor
traf1c.
The Pacific Railroads.
C. p. HUNTINGTON BEFORE THE HOUSE COMMITTEE
BY appointment MI. C. P. Huntington, vice.
president Of the Central Pacific Railroad Com
pany, appeared to-day before the House commit
tee on Pacific railroads to give his views upon
pending legislation touching those roads This
matter Ghe settlement OF the Central
Pacific debp was very old matter
and somewhat irritating, he said, and he would
very much like to have1t settled. He described at
length how the work was done and the many DIM.
culties encountered, and said he and the men assO-
ciated with him went to the extent OF their cre1t
Charles Crocker and himself, had done all that
great work and its success was due 10 their credit
A member asked If the four men were now Door.
1.-The four gentlemen have grown rich," Mr..
Huntington replied, "but they owe 1t to them
selves. We have taken nothing, we have created
values. We all began poor. started as young
man working on Connecticut farm at 81 per
month, and at the end OF the month had the ST."
He submitted, as a proposition to the committee
for the settlement OF the debt, that the equities
OF the company be passed upon by a courf. and
that whatever the court awards the company
proposed that an equation OF the interest be
made, and the debt and interest be put In q lump
sum, and divided into 250 Semi-annual payments
OF 81 100000.
Capitol Topics.
THE STRIKE INVESTIGATION,
The House special committee appointed to In.
vestigate the existing labor troubles In Pennsyl-
vania has instructed the sergeant-at. arms to no
tlfy by telegraph two of the prominent railroad
strikers and two OF the striking miners to appear
before the committee here next saturday. Presi-
dent Corbin, OF the Reading road and some twelve
Others representing the railroad interests, will be
summoned to appear probably on Monday. Early
In next week the committee will 60 to Philadel-
phia and Reading to continue the investigation.
THE HOUSE COMMITTEE ON LABOR
yesterday decided to report adversely the bill to
license railway conductors. Mr.. ONeilps Joint
resolution forbidding enlisted men In the Army or
Navy, whether non-c0mmiSsioned offlcers must.
clans, or pr1vates from engaging In any other
occupation in civil life where the same shall inter.
fere with the customary employment and regular
engagement OF civilians, Will be reported favor
ably. The committee will also request the agri-
culture committee OF the House to eliminate from
the bill to organize an executive department OF
agriculture and labor all the provisions In the bli
relating to labor. It Is probable that Mr.. O'Nein
will soon introduce bill looking to the establish
ment Of q department OF labor.
NOTES.
The Senate was not In session to-day.
The House yesterday passed the bill to discon-
ttnue the coinage OF the three cent piece.
The bill enabling Assistant Secretaries OF the In
terror 70 sign patents was passed by the Senate