Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-02-02
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
The House Unanimously Passes
the Reading Resolution.
Senator Chandler Still Demanding In.
formation from Secretary Whitney.
The Ala ska Bill Gets Indefinitely Post.
poued and the Blair Educational
Bill Receives More Support.
WAsHISGroN. Feb. |.
Senate.

Mr.. Frye, from the committee ON foreign
relations, reported back adversely the bill to
facilitate the settlement and development of
the resources of Alaska, and open an over
land route between the United States and
Asatic Russia and Japan. indefinitely post
poned.
The committee on naval affairs reported a
resolution directing the secretary of the navy
to furnish a statement as TO changes made
from the original plans of the Chicago, Bos-
ton, Atlantic and Dolphin, in addition TO those
mentioned in former communications, with
cost thereof, the reasons therefor, and re-
ports of boards aud officers on the subject
also as to the present condition of the moni-
tor Mantonomah and her armament. Adop-
ted.
Mr.. Frye asked unanimous consent to call
up his resolution offered Monday. calling for
a statement as to the Dominion of Canada,
but objection was made to it by Mr.. Riddle
berger.
The Senate then took up resolution in
structing the judiciary committee to report
legislation necessary to prevent the United
States courts managing railroads through re-
cevers and from depriying creditors of their
liens through receivers certificates.
The Blair Educational bill was taken up.
characterized the agricultural college an
indestructible monument of the good effects
of federal aid to education. At 4.20 the
Senate proceeded to executive business.
The Senate in secret session today briefly
considered the British extradition treaty, the
pending question being upon Riddleberger's
resolution for consideration with open doors.
! Riddleberger spoke nearly half an hour,
pleading the motives which impelled senators
| to vote for or against the treaty should be
stated publicly. The subject went over.
The Senate at 4.55 adjourned
House.
/ The House proceeded to the consideration
of the report of the committee on commerce,
relative to the proposed investigation of the
Reading strike.
! Mr.. Clardv, the chairman of the commit
tee said that the majority of the committee
had been satisfied that the original resolution
offered by Anderson for Congressional in
qury, ought not to be adopted. He said that
there had been no testimony before the COM
mttee showing that the interstate traffic had
/ been nterfered with by the Reading road,
with the exception of a brief interruption at
Port Richmond, on account of the refusal of
the men to obey the lawful orders of the
superintendent. On the contrary he thought
! that it appeared atiirmatively, that there had
been no sort of interference with, or inter-
rupton Of the interstate commerce. 1t
has been stated that the Reading Co. in max
ing allotments of cars to the mining COM
panies had Disseminated in favor of some
companies and against others. This was
matter within the jurisdiction of the inter-
state commerce commission. Any person
who was agricved could secure an audience
bv knocking at the door of that commission.
1t was also stated that the Reading CO., aud
the Philadelphia Coal and Iron Co., were
practically one and the same, in violation of
the constitution of Pennsylvania. If this
was true the remedy was to be found i'll the
State courts of Pennsylvania.
Rayner of Maryland, did not believe IN
half way measures ON the subject. He was
a mortal foe of violence in all forms, but
was friend to labor and believed in its SOW
ereign power, by every peaceful means, to
assert and to viudicate its rights. The Read
ing road had broken and violated its solemn
compact, made with its employees; and now
it commanded them to surrender, under the
threat of proclaiming to the American people
that this great tributary of commerce should
be closed and that not ton of traffic should
be freighted over its road. Should this be
donef He, for one, said, never. Congress
!
merce commission to bring this great monop-
oily to bay.
/ O'Neill of Pennsylvania denied that the
| Reading railroad and the Philadelphia Coal
and Iron Co., were seeking to prevent this
investigation aud said that they were willing
that the resolution should be adopted.
/ Davis of Massachusetts, advocated the
report of the majority, believing Congress
too political body TO investigate purely bus
mess matters and that investigation by
/ Congressional committee would not be pro-
ductve of any good results.
! Clark said that as it appeared to be the de-
sire of the house to investigate the question,
/ he would withdraw any opposition to the
original Anderson resolution, provided it was
amended so as to create special committee.
! Some discussion arose as so the proper
form of a resolution in the course of which,
Randall suggested an amendment extending
the investigation into the present differences
in the Lehgh and Schyikill coal regions be-
tween the mining corporations and the miners
! White of New York suggested an amend
ment extending the inquiry into the question
whether there has been any unlawful combi
/ nations of large bodies of men to interrupt
! the business of the Reading Railroad, and to
/ deprive it of its freight destined for trans
/ portation to points outside of Pennsylvania.
/ If such combinations were found to exist, he
suggested that the committee be directed
to report what legislation would be necessary
/ to prevent and punish such combinations in
the future.
After some delay the various propositions
were consolidated into the following resolu-
ton which was adopted without division.
Resolved, that special committee of be
appointed to investigate forthwith the
causes. the extent and the effect upon inter-
/ state commerce, of the continued failure by
the Reading railroad to transport such COM
merce, and report to the House by bill or
otherwise, for its consideration at any time,
such legislation as may seem necessary to
secure to the public regular and complete
execution by the railroad company of its
obligations to serve as a common carrier of
interstate commerce, to investigate the
differences existing in the Lehigh and
Schuylkill regions of Pennsylvania, between
the corporations mining coal and the miners,
and further to investigate all facts relating
to the mining corporations and to individual
miners of anthracite coal. and all facts in
relation to the matters, and to report the
same to the House with such recommended
tons as the committee may agree upon.
The House at ). 10 adjourned.
General Congressional News
The President sent the following nomina-
tons to the Senate today Geo r. Smith,
postmaster at Kennebunk. Me-; William H.
Mccartney, postmaster at Oakland. Me.
Notes.
The public debt statement shows reduc-
ton of the debt during January of of sl5,-
3sT, ,3e0; total cash in the treasury. $780,
992, ,6s7.
About 200 gentlemen of prominence in the
political history of the past half century as
sembled at the club house of the Republican
National League tonight to celebrate the 32d
anniversary of the election of Hon. Nathan
iel p Banks as Speaker of the House in
the 34th Congress. About a dozen congress
men who supported Banks for the speaker
ship were present The orators of the even
ing were all veteran politicians Humorous
. "reminiscences of men and affairs in the
days of Whigism frequently evoked loud
applause and laughter from the audience
l u, and ocriop