Wichita eagle., 1888-06-13
SENAT 6.

WASHINGTON, June 12-In the senate
Mr. Chandler offered resolution referring
the credentials of Senator Gibson, of
Louisiana, to the committee on privileges
and elections, and instructing the COM
mittee to inquire into all the facts in the
senatorial election which included the
election Of the state legislature. The reso-
luton went over until tomorrow.
Mr.. Stewards suggestion in regard to
making public the names of purchasers OF
bonds was taken I'D, and after spirited
debate it went over until tomorrow.
On motion of Mr.. Cullom, the bill TO
amend the interstate commerce law was
taken up and he addressed the senate in
explanation and advocacy of it.
After having reviewed the effects of the
operation of the interstate commerce law,
Mr. Cullom proceeded to explain what was
proposed TO be effected by the amendments.
They, he said, had been suggested by the
difficulties which were encountered in
securing a thorough enforcement of
the law, and were intended TO strengthen
it and bring about more strict observ-
ance of its requirements. They would, if
incorporated in the existing law, add
greatly to its effectiveness. One Of them
was to require three days notice of the
reduction of rates. AT present there was
no notice required for a reduction, but
only in an advance Of rates. He claimed
that this would lessen the operations of
evading the law by giving favored ship
pers secret notice of the intention OF re-
auctions, and would result in greater sta
bility of rates Another amendment pro-
posed was to extend the penalty for I'M
lawful determinations to imprisonment
as well rs to fines. Another amendment
was directed against the practice
known as under billing" by which
goods which should come under one CLASH
Iication were entered under lower classi
fication. The practice had increased
enormously since the interstate commerce
act took effect, and was as clearly unlaw
full as the payments of rebates, or as
discrimination by another deyice. Peti-
tions and memorials against the evil had
been sent to the senate and referred to the
committee on interstate commerce from
commercial bodies in Peoria, Chicago, st.
Louis, Philadelphia, New York, Buffalo,
Boston. Toledo, Memphis and Savannah,
and also from New York business men
selling over S250,0000G0 worth of
goods annually. Most of the other
amendments, he said, were purely
formal and explained them
selves. In conclusion, MIR. Cullom said
there is no business question in which the
people of the country have a deeper inter
est. for the reason that there is none
which bears more directly upon their
financial prosperity. Cheap transporta
ton and equality OF rights IN It's enjoy
ment are two great demands of the times,
and the nation will fail of its duty if it
does not do what it can to secure both TO
the people, and we must give the people
the best possible advantages whenever we
can in reaching whatever market may be
open TO them in any of the nations The
constitution imposes the duty upon us as
congress of regulating commerce among
the several states ndwith foreign nations.
lie us do both in the interest of the people
without fear or favor, fearing not to do
right by all, whether engaged in one pur-
suit or another, favoring none, whether
clothed with corporate power. or IN the
common walks Of life Equality of rights
is the watchword of this country and it
applies as well to business transactions as
TO the right TO be free or the right to vote.
A message from the president was sent
returning without his approval, a pension
bill on the ground that the beneficiary had
received no injury in the army. Ref
erred to the committee on pensions; also
another message returning without his APP
prevail a bill relieyinga government con
tractor for an Indebtedness of Sl,042, in
Cured by non-fulillment of the contract.
Referred to the committee on military af-
fairs.
The senate then proceeded to the consid-
Grafton of the tortification appropriation
bill, and was addressed by Mr.. Dolph on
the subject of coast defence The bill went
over without action and the District of
Columbia appropriation bill was then
taken up. 1t also went over without ac-
ZION and the senate adjourned.