New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-02-06
m
AFFAIRS BEFORE CONGRESS.
WHAT WAS DONE IN SENATE AND HOUSE,
SENATORS DEBATE THE OKLAHOMA BILL-THE
NICARAGUA CANAL REPORT DISCUSSED.

SENATORS DEBATE THE OKLAHOMA BlLL-THE
NICARAGUA CANAL REPORT DISCUSSED.
Washington, Feb. 5.--In tho Senate to-day the
House bill for the establishment OF territorial gov
eminent In Oklahoma having been presented, Mr. Plat
moved its reference to the COMMITTEES on Territories
and Mr.. Dawes moved its reference to the Committee
on Indian Affairs. Mr.. Dawes contended that every
thing pertaining the bill the treatment of the
Indians I'm that region and their relations TO the general
Government and that therefore, II should be referred
to the Committee Indian Affairs. Mr.. Platt said
he thought It scarcely decorous, however, to take
from the Territorial Committee bill providing for
tho organization Of Territory The matter gave
rise to considerable discussion In which Senator'S Nor
gan. Coke, Patt Dawes and Blair joined The bill
was finally referred to the Committee on Territories.
Mr.. Hawley offered amendment to the sundry
Civil Appropriation BILL which referred to the
Committee on Military Affairs for the payment to the
widow Of General Sheridan of $4,000. In grateful
recognition of his eminent and extraordinary services
10 his country"
The House Joint resolution for the payment Of
TO the representatives Of the late James D.
Eads was taken up and passed.
Tho Legislative, Executive and Judicial Appropna-
ton bill then taken up and amendment was
made to increase the salary of the Presidents private
secretary from 80, ESQ to $4,000
An amendment offered by Mr.. Hawley. TO increase
the clerical force of the Civil Service Commission
provobed discussion the question of Civil
Service reform Mr.. Hawley maintained that the
Commission was to be maintained and perfected.
Mr.. Plumb commended that partisanship Of the
most desperate character had been practsed in the
administration of tho Civil Service law. Before the
discussion closed, the conference report tho bill
smcndatory of the Interstate Commerce law was
read The conference committee not having agreed
on the House amendment in reference TO the trans
portation of oil, Mr.. Sherman moved TO concur In
that amendment While the discussion was still in
progress Mr. Riddlebergcr made an effort to have an
executive session so to the obligation Of
secrecy' OF the proceedings the British Ex-
tradition treaty; but motion to adjourn prevailed.
In the House the Senate amendment was con-
Cured in to tho House bill for the retirement Of
General william r. Smith.
The House then considered the conference
report on the Nicaragua Canal bill. Mr..
Cobb, Of Alabama thought that the House
owed II TO itself 10 reject the report. He
declared that under the amendcnts there were
millions in the scheme to the ncorcorators the enter
prise was success; there 10 be no loss II IL was
a failure. He argued that Congress had no consti-
tutional authority to erect private business corpors-
ton.
Mr.. Raynor said that the enly question presented
was would tho canal expedite and the an
swcr was that 1t would expedite commerce by short
oning the distance around the coast $500 miles He
defended the action Of the oonerces in recedng from
tho amendment requiring the printing on the oblga-
tons OF the company statement Of the Government
lack OF liability II required the company to brand
upon its stock the statement that the Government
not responsible for tho debts OF the company
Mr. Bland of Missouri. criticised the conference re-
port in thet II eliminated from the bill the amend
ment reserving TO the Government the right 10 ieg-
late the rate Of tolls be charged upon the canal
There ought TO the bill provision securing the
rights of tho United States under the Bulwer-Cayton
treaty Tho question was further discussed but no
action was talen.