Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1888-07-18
Capitol Topics.

Capitol Topics.
10 REGuLATE NTHRsTATR THLB0RAPHY.
In the senate to-day Mr.. Platt, from the inter-
state-commerce committee. reported favorably Mr..
Spooner's bill to regulate commerce carried on by
telegraph. II places all telegraph business, ex-
except such as Is tr insacted within the limits OF
state. under the jurisdiction OF the Interstate
graph service shall be reasonable and Just. and
every unreasonable charge for any such service Is
prohibited ana declared 10 be unlawful. The phra-
seology OF the bill follows closely that OF the inter-
dlscrlmination; prohibits pooling Of telegraph
companies to publish their rates For violation OF
any OF the provisions the company so violating
shall be liable for all damages sustained. Any per-
may nle complaints with the Interstate Commits
sion, and the latter is given authority TO make In
Quirfes, summon witnesses &C.
| IN FAVOR or TRANSFERRING THE WEATHER SERVICE.
Thomas J. Brown, special examiner ,f the Pen
sion ONCE formerly OF the Signal Service, ap-
peared before the Senate Committee on Agriculture
this morning and made an argument In favor OF
the transfer OF the weather service TO the Depart
ment OF Agriculture
PROPOSED NATIONAL GUARD RESERVE CORPS
The bill introduced In the Senate by Mr.Mander.
son yesterday, as mentioned in The STAR
the President to enlist for from three to nve years
100, 600 volunteer infantry soldiers to be known
as the National Guard. Not more than 400 OF the
volunteers are to be enlisted from any one Con-
gressional district and recruits are required TO be
between the ages OF sixteen ana forty-nv years.
II. In the opinion OF the President the exigencies
armed service OF the National Guard, he may,
from year TO year, permit them TO retire TO their
homes and the pursuit OF their VOC tons without
vice, In which event each 0f1cer and enlisted man
VIII receive such pay and all other allowances as
he would be entitled 10 II member OF the regular
Army OF like grade and rank. The President may
call Into active service at any time such part OF
| the National Guard as may be needed to enforce
the execution OF the laws suppress riots iusur-
rectons repel foreign invasions, or garrison The
fortincatiOns OF the country. The bill provides
Tor annual encampments Of the Guard and for
| periodical drills.
THE EIGHT-HoUR CLAIMS BILL PASSES THE SENATE.
The Senate yesterday passed the DILL to provide
Tor the adjustment Ut accounts OF laborers, work.
men and mechanics employed by the Government
under the eight-hour law. 1t provides that all
lao0rers. workmen and mechanics, employed by the
Government since June 5, 1868. shall be PAID Ior
each eight hours he has been employed without
any reduction OF pay on account OF the reduction
OF tne nOurS OF aDOr II also refers TO the Court or
Claims for adjudication all claims Tor labor In ex-
| cess or the eight hours per day, PROV ed such
suits are commenced within two years from the
| passage OF The act.
THE RIVER AND HARBoR BILL DEADLOCK
The conferees on the river and harbor bill met
yesterday afternoon, but the prospect OF early
agreement does not look encouraging. The only
controversy now Is over the Senate amendment to
appropriate 100000 for the Lake Portage Canal.
Another Senate amendment TO purchase the fran
chise or the Green and Barren Rivers locks, &c. In
Kentucky for $l35 900 was finally agreed to by the
against any and all canal appropriations in the
bill. Although the amount In the bill Is $500 600
the House conierees say It will cost s.. 2.O0O.OoO
complete 1t and put 1t In proper working order
The Senators deny this.
THE CONTRACT LABOR INVESTIGATION.
The select House committee on the Importation
OF contract and pauper labor held its first session
yesterday. The proceedings were confined TO a
discussion OF the plan to be followed in making
Cne inquiry, and the result was decision leave
neie Ior New York some day next week and begin
with an Investigation or the state OF affairs at Cas-
next city visited A recess viii tnen be taken Sp.
u tall Upon reassembrng the committee will
probably proceed 20 San Francisco 70 inquire inIo
the Chinese labor question.
THE INTERSTATE COMMERCE Law AMRNpNKNr
The House committee on commerce heard an
argument to day by ex-Representative Randolph
Tucker In favor OF an amendment TO the Interstate
commerce law to prevent the granting OF especial
advantages 70 shippers OF coal oil In their own
collected for violations OF The law ought TO 20 70
the party prosecuting. The House COMMITTED Will
probably probably accept and report favoraby 70 the
Senate. There Is a disposition in the committee
to more radical action, but they expect TO pracu-
| cally adopt the Senate bill.
The President has vetoed the private pension
bills OF Theresa Herbert VIM. HOuching Thos
Shannon, and John 4. Balein.
Mr.. JAS. K. Edwards, who Tor twenty years has
been one OF The Official stenographers Of the
House, died at his residence In this city last
evening OF nervous prOstratlon.
Secretary Falrchd has written to the Speaker
OF the House recommending iur.her legislation Tor
the better enforcement OF laws relating to alien
contract labor, and recommending an appropria.
tion OF S50,OOO TO enable the law to be PROPERLY
carried out.
The House at its session last evening passed bills
10 establish lighthouses at various places includ-
ing WIcomicO River, Va.
Five democratic SenatOrS-MeSsrs Butler Call
Gray, Gibson and hearSt-yoJed yesterday for The
bill TO place General Fremont Oh the relired Ist,