Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-04-26
DUTIES OF SENATORS.
They Engage in u Rather Sharp De-
bate Upon The Subject.
URGENT NECESSITY FOR REFORM
The Millionaire Topic Also Receives Some
Consideration.
MANY SPEAKERS, BUT FEW LISTENERS

WASHINGTON, April %. - To-day the
Senate resumed consideration of the railroad
land forfeiture bill. Mr.. Call went on with
his argument in favor of the amendment
offered by him as to the forfeiture of railroad
lands in Florida. Mr. Call went on with
his speech, but soon stopped to make COM
plant that he had but few hearers. He said
that il the people could only look in and
witness the scene in the Senate chamber they
would form an opinion that the day was
passing by when Senators were of any nse in
the government Of the country.
If the public demand could have no re-
sponse in the Senate. the people would find
it out at no distant day; and there was
enough of intelligence and force and power
in public opinion for the people to demand
that proper attention should be given to the
consideration of questions of public inter-
est. Mr.. Call then resumed his argument
in explanation and advocacy of the amend
ment offered by him in the interest of set
tiers on railroad lands in Florida.
THE SENATORIAL DUTY.
Mr.. George said that when a question of
such agnitude-involving the homes, hap
piness and welfare of large number Of
American citizens-was before the Senate it
was the duty of every Senator who had not
made a personal investigation of the case to
hear at least those who had done SO. The
amendment did not propose to take away
any mans property or to destroy any right,
hut to do thing which was essential for a
decision of the rights of the parties-that
was, to give them a standing in court by
which they could assert their rights. He
spoke of "The outrage and wrong done to
those poor people," and expressed the hope
that he was not doing wrong In body
which was sometimes spoken OF as a $50
cial Club of Millionaires." In referring to
a poor man, if anybody was outraged by it,
he begged pardon.
Mr.. Blair-Is the Senator ashamed to
have it known that he is millionaire?
Mr.. George Gronically)-Yes-two or
three times over.
Mr.. Blair-I am not.
Mr.. George-Whether I am a millionaire
or not, the body to which I belong has the
credit OF associating me with a number of
persons who occupy that happy position in
the financial world.
THE POINT IN DISPUTE.
Mr.. George proceeded with his argument
in favor of the amendment. He wanted the
Senate to understand, and If not, he wanted
American people to understand, that the
question before the Senate was whether the
settlers on those lands in Florida were to be
allowed chance to show that they had
right to them, and that the railroad COM
pany or its assigns had no such right. Mr..
Pasco took the floor, and the bill went over
without action until Monday next
Mr.. Gibson offered joint resolution de-
c1arinp the nrofouud sorrow of the Snnate of
the announcement of the death of Hon. Ed
ward j. Gay, late a Representative from
the State OF Louisiana, and suspending the
business of the Senate to give opportunity
for tributes to Mr.. GAYS eminent public
and private virtues. Eulogies were pro-
nounced by Senators Gibson, Cockrell and
Eustis. The resolutions were agreed to, and
as further mark of respect the Senate ad-
iourned.