Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-19
CAPITOL GLEANINGs.
Proposed Amendment Of the Interstate
Commerce Act-Committee Notes.

Mr.. Cullom introduced in the Senate yester-
dav bill to amend the interstate commerce
act. 1t grants to the commission authority to
inquire into the management of the business of
all common carriers, subject to the provisions
OF the act, and to obtain from them full infor-
nation necessary for the commission to per-
form Its duties 1t is made the duty Of any
district attorney, upon request of the commas
Sion 70 institute and prosecute necessary pro-
ceedlngs to enforce the provisions of the act and
70 punish violations of it. The commission is
10 nave power to require by subpoena the at
tendance and testimony of witnesses the pro-
auchon OF books papers, DC. from any place
IN the united States at any designated place of
nearing. In case of failure of a witness the
commission may appeal to a federal court.
which shall subpoena the witnesses, and, if
necessary, punish them for contempt. Claim
that his evidence may criminate q witness shall
not excuse him, but this evidence shall not be
used In criminal proceeding. Testimony may
De taken on oath under deposition either at
home or abroad.
A CONGREGATIONAL PROTEST.
Gen. Schofeld's recommendation that the
office OF chaplain In the army be discontinued
has Travelled out to Nebraska and brought out
a vigorous protest from the Congregational
church OF that state. Senator Henderson pre-
sehted the memorial yesterday. 1t insists that
casual visits by clergymen cannot. with benefit
10 the service, supersede the present SYSTEM
that more attention should be given the re-
ilglous and moral conditions in the army; chap
lalhs should be given more authority. and their
reports should be promptly acted upon.
SUGGESTION TO THE SENATE.
Since the day when crazy man opened the
Fiftieth Congress with the doxology there has
been but one attempt to run either branch of
Congress from the galleries; that attempt took
Yesterday " hon tha
passing public building bills. There were but
few Senators-less than dozen-on the floor
ana there were even fewer spectators, when
one OF the latter arose in his place and audibly
called the attention of the Senate to the fact
that the dependent pension bill was a matter
of much greater importance than anything
else now awaiting action. Somebody pulled
the lmpromptu orators coat tails and sat him
down. That ended the interruption.
THE EDUCATIONAL BILL
The debate in the Senate on the Blair educa-
tional bill is nearing its latter end. Senator
Hawley opposed the bill yesterday afternoon
In speech which attracted more than
ordinary degree of attention Senator Moody
followed with some amendments to the bill
and made brief speeth in its favor. His state
was, he was satisfied, solidly for the BILL
Senator Chandler also supported the measure
and characterized it as a grand monument of
the benefcence of the national government
toward the school children and illiterates of
the nation wherever they were-north or south.
THE ADMINISTRATIVE CUSTOMS BILL.
The Senate committee on finance spent
several hours yesterday considering the report
OF the subcommittee upon the Mckinley ad-
ministrative customs bill. The amendment
desired by the importers, that the courts shall
be authorized on appeal from the appraisers
action to pass upon questions of fact as well
as questions OF law recommended by the SUBJ
committee, was adopted. The most important
amendments recommended by the subcommit-
tee yet remaining to be considered are those
relating to the warehousing features of the
BILL Another meeting will be held tomorrow.
ASKING THE POSTMASTER GENERAL FOR IN
FORMATION.
In the House yesterday Mr. Norton of Missouri
offered for reference resolution citing that
it Is reported that the Postmaster General has
been employing post Office inspectors and
special agents investigating the claims of re-
publican applicants for appointing mt as post
masters and paying for such services out of the
public funds, declaring that such practices are
contrary to the law of the land and subversiye
OF good government and calling on the Post
master General for a statement as to what post
Office inspectors and special agents have been
so employed.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal Case
Another bill in relation to the Chesapeake
al hao