The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1889-01-30
SENATOR CULL0M.
He Briefly Discusses National Politics Before
Members of the Illinois Legislature.

CHICAGO, Jan. 29.-An exceptional occa-
sion, of which United States Senator Shelby
NJ. Cullom was made the central figure, was
made still more interesting by an address
made by him, which, in part, at least, will
doubtless be the subject of more than ma
tional attention. The two houses of the
Illinois Legislature had met in joint session
in honor of Mr.. Cullom's presence. and to
afford him an opportunity to express him.
self regarding the unanimity with which he
had been reelected to the federal Senate.
Mr.. Cullom thanked the members fittingly,
and then gave vent to some thoughts which
elected round after round of applause. He
said:
Gentlemen, there are many questions of public
interest TO this country, giving scope to the larg
est extent of statesmanship; scope to the largest
and about which there should be no partisan feel
Ing. have been for some time interested in the
question OF what relation the government of the
united states and the country lying north of ii
should bear TO each other, and committee of
the Senate, of which L have the honor to be
chairman, has recently been instructed to in
yesugate the commercial relations existing be-
tween the government of the United States and
the government of Canada and their people. As
nected with our relations with that government
that have been constantly annoying, con-
stantly vexatious, and constant source
OF trouble. That Is true Of the
railroad connections between our people and
those on the other side Of the line. expect that
a committee will investigate that subject during
tinual session at Washington. / am not going
to discnss it now. 1 simply desire to intimate
that my feeling is that the people of the United
States should so control affairs that eventually
not with war not with violence-a policy will
be adopted that will result in the end in planting
our national flag upon Canadian soil. lAp-
fn-6a ia 1lnt nIrh in
clinatiOn for the United States and Canada TO
come together, IN my opinion. 1t will only be a
whereby we will all be one country, and Canada,
that stretches four thousand miles along our
northern border, will become part of the
United States of America. [Applause.l Mr.:
Speaker, 1 did not want to make speech and 1
am not going to. did not expect to say any
thing about Canada, and shall not say anything
more about it. Laughter
There are other questions We have heard
good deal about the tariff. am inclined To think
you have all heard good deal about it during
the last year, and am not going to say anything
about it, because that might be considered parts
an question; but will say another word about our
material interests And let me say to you, gen.
tlemen, that as we recede from the period of war
we are coming closer and closer together in the
consideration of great economic questions. What
little have done as your humble representative
in the Senate of the United States has been in the
direction of looking into and after the economic
questions and material interests or the great
body of people of the United States, and my
Judgment is that nearly all the great internal
questions that are tObe becOnsidered, discussed and
deliberated upon and finally settled, are in the
direction of economy to the American people
When had the honor to be sent TO the Senate OF
the United States six years ago, my first atten-
ton was called to the internal commerce OF
the United States. Before that, and while L
had the honor of serving as Governor
for YOU L had my attention called to transporta-
ton of interstate commerce and state commerce
as it existed under our Constitution. found,
while was Governor, that one of the questions
which was involved in so regulating transpOrta-
IN N
State was that the national Constitution and its
authority were in the way OF perfect legislation
to protect the people or Illinois. 80, when was
States gave attention at once TO the question or
regulating interstate commerce ana to bringing
the two great regulations INTO narmony Win Win
each other as nearly was possible under the
State and national constitutions. whether
have done much good in that line or not is mat
Rut i know that Congress has done this much:
that it has settled the question that the
great corporations throughout the country,
fhe railroad corporations, which are monopones,
in their very nature, realize that they must sub
nit to the authority of the government OF the
United States Great applause; aos alb 70 vou anv
longer I don't believe you expected me TO talk
aboIt ANYTHING, but simply to make my bow:
Twill stop right here renewing g for the
honor Which you have conferred upon me-
want TO saw to you, gentlemen, that while be-
long to the Republican party-and expect 10 90
s as long as it is true to liberty and true TO the
rights of the people-I recognize the fact that L
am the representative In the United states sen
ate of the whole people OF Illinois, whethey they
he Renublican, Democrats, or whatever they may
he. fApplause.l Gentlemen, L thank you all.
lGreat appiause.J
At the conclusion of the Senator's ad,
dress the members OF botn houses cto"HSu b;,,,
aronnd the Speakers stand to shake MIN
hv the hand. The scene for time was the
most animated that this historic capltoi mas
witnessed for many long day.