Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-02-04
IN CONGRESS TODAY.
A Lively Little Tilt in the Seuats
This Morning.
MESSRS. C0CKERELL AND DAWES
Indulge in Some Personal Pleas.
antries.
THE DIPLOMATIC BILL.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Among the bills reported and placed on the
calendar were the following:
Senate bill to provide for the inspection of
vessels carrying export cattle from the United
States to foreign countries.
Senate bill to allow leave of absence TO per
diem employees of the Navy Department.
Senate bill to prevent authorizations Of food
and drugs.
TO SIT DURING RECESS.
Mr.. Cameron, from the committee on naval
affcirs, reported a resolution (Which was re-
ferred to the committee on contingent ex-
penses) authorizing the committee on naval
purpose of considering the various bills rela-
tive to the personnel of the navy and of inves-
tlgating the condition of naval vessels, with
power to take testimony.
Mr.. Payne, from the committee on foreign
relations, reported a joint resolution authoriz-
ing George II. Skidmore, United States vice
consul general at Kanagawa, Japan, to accept
silver medal presented to him by the Emperor
of Japan for saving a Japanese subject from
death by drowning Passed.
Dr. GALLINGER's CREDENTIALS PRESENTED.
Mr.. Blair presented the credentials of his
successor, Jacob H. Gallinger, and they were
placed on file. After a short executive session
the doors we're reopened and the Legislative
business was resumed.
MR.. cocKRELL on THE ORIGIN OF PETITION.
In reference to the presentation of petitions
as to the Conger lard bill a colloquy took place
going to show that all these petitions emanate
from the same source and go back to that
source before they are forwarded to Senators;
that they are distributed from central agency
and that they seem to be the result, not of
spontaneous movement, but Of So
licitation. AprOpos of the manner
in which such memorials are got up, and in
order to show that all ignorance as to legisla-
ton is not confined to the farmers and labor
associations. Mr.. Cockrell read resolutions Of
the Philadelphia Maritime Exchange protesting
against the passage by the House of Represent
atives of the Senate bill of May. 1890, for the
monthly purchase of 4, SOC, 600 ounces of silver.
There was no such BILL he said, passed by
the Senate in Nav. 1880. and yet those ''wise-
acres" in Philadelphia were meeting and pro-
testing against it. He went on to criticise Sc
verely the views and action of Mr.. Edward At
kinson on the silver and other economic ques-
tions, and was prompted and encouraged by
questions and remarks from Mr.. Stewart and
Mr.. Reagan.
Mr.. DAWES DEFENDS MR.. ATKINSON.
This criticism of Mr.. Atkinson was taken up
by Mr.. Dawes, who said that that gentleman
was constituent of his, blu. that his CMr. At
kinson's) political and economical affiliations
were With the Senators who were tradacing
him. As q man Mr.. Atkinson was the peer Che
did not know but that he ought to apologize to
him for saying it) of those Senator's, and as an
investigator-an earnest, honest, conscientious
intelligent investigator-he had no equal in
the United States. His contributions to in
dustrial statistics would live long after any of
the illusions of those who now turned their
back on their associate and ally.
Mr.. Cockrell (excitedly)- Who has been ira
ducing Mr.. Atkinson? Will the Senator please
specify?
Mr. Dawes-There is no occasion to specify
I assume that the illusions of the Senator this
morning are perfectly understood and need no
specification from me.
Mr.. Cockrell (who had moved forward from
his own seat to the middle aisle near which Mr..
Dawes sat)-Have l said a word this morning
it an effusion reflection on Mr.. Atkinson
to tell what he said under oath! Is that a re-
Election? What does the Senator mean?
[Laughter.l Can not tell what a democrat
sworo to under oath without slandering ademo-
crat?
81 do not know about that" Mr.. Dawes re-
marked, facetiously.
MR.. cocKRELL GETS ANGRY.
The remark seemed to irritate Mr.. Cockrell to
q still higher degree, and he shook his FORE
finger angrily at Mr. Dawes, declaring that it
was beneath that Senator's position to take
such an underhand, backhanded way of meet
ing the question. The scene was a ludicrous
one and provoked general laughter. There
some further interchange Of sentiment be-
tween the Senators in the same general direc-
tion after which the fertilization bill was taken
up and proceeded with
THE FoRTIFIcATIoN BILL TAKEN Up.
The amendment reported by the appropria-
tons committee appropriating S4OO, 900 for
rifed sea-coast mortars of cast iron, hoped with
steel with Mr.. Chambers amendment to it re-
curing them to be wholly Of steel) gave rise to
a long discussion: at the close of which Mr..
Chambers amendment was agreed to, and then,
at the suggestion Of Mr.. Dawes, the committee
amendment as amended was rejected.
The next committee amendment was to strike
out the item of So, 500 with previous appro-
priation of S13 500 for the gun carriages of the
disappearing type, and it was agreed to with
out discussion. The next committee amend
ment was to reduce the item for completing
the army gun factory at Watervlict, NY, from
gas, 74S to S14S, 74S.
HOUSE.