Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-12-20
A Lively Talk About Bicycles ir
the Senate
IN CONNECTION WITH GOOD ROADS
Several Senators Participate in the
Discussion.
IN THE HOUSE.

| Immediately after the reading of the
journal Of yesterday the Vice President
laid before the Senate the annual report
OF the Secretary of the Treasury, and IT
was referred to the committee on finance.
Mr.. Hoar presented a monster petition
on the subject of common roads. He stat
ed that the petition asked for the estab-
| 1fshment of a department of roads as an
executive department. The petitioners had
caused very thorough Investigation to be
made, and had ascertained that most
enormous savings might be made in the
transaction OF domestic and interstate COM
merce by improved highroads He sug-
gested its reference to the committee On
| Interstate commerce.
Mr.. Manderson CNeb.} expressed himself
as strongly in favor of improved common
roads. but was opposed to the establishment
OF an executive department on that subject
The Bicycle Considered.
| Mr.. Gaiiinger IN. H.) made q Remark to
the effect that the promoters of :he psti-
! ton were bicycle manufacturers. They
had spent good deal of money In .he mat
ter, and he suggested to them the propi iety
of a reduction in their exorbitant prices for
| bicycles.
Mr.. Cockreii thought Mr.. Gallinger's sug-
gestion exceedingly pertinent.
had promoted the petition: but If the man.
ufacturers Of bicycles had done so there
was nothing in that fact for taunt or con-
dennation or sneers. The bicycle was the
poor mans chariot, and ii came with ILL
grace from Senators who peered out of the
windows of the luxurious carriages, drawn
| by elegant spans of horses, to sneer at the
men who found their recreation in bicycles
Mr.. Gallinger said that IT was a WELL
known fact that bicycles We're sold at $50
which did not cost % per cent of that sum
and he suggested that the poor man who
| used bicycles might be benefited by a reduc-
ton of price. He had not he said, sneered
at the matter at all. He believed in good
roads as sincerely as the Senator from
Massachusetts; and he had stated the ex-
act truth when he said that the matter had
been promoted. and a good deal of money
spent, by leading manufacturers of bicycles
in securing signatures to the petition.
Mr.. Hoar suggested that, as Mr.. Gallinger
was doctor. Ii was Inconsistent for him to
desire that people should cease to purchase
the health-saving bicycle, unless he de-
sired them to save their money and buy his
pills.
Mr.. Gallinger made the retort that IL he
could persuade himself that he could by
any prescription, lead the Senator from
Massachusetts to permit other Senators the
privileges of the Senate to the extent that
he himself claimed them. he would be very
glad to give him gratuitous prescription.
Uaughter).
The petition was referred to the commit
bill introduced by Mr.. Cockrell of Missouri
\ to secure aerial navigation.
III that can be DONE" he said, 'it will dis
pense with the necessity OF 30 many good
! roads
Against "a Change of Tariff.
Mr.. Gallinger offered a resolution (Which
was laid on the table for the present. de-
claring that, in view of the widespread in
dustrial depression, 1t is the sense of the
Senate that it would be unwise to attempt
any change in the tariff laws during the
present administration
The resolution offered yesterday by Mr.
Frye tMe) calling for information as to the
permission to land the Brazilian telegraph
cable on the coast of the United States. was
laid before the Senate and agreed to-
Against Using Ford's Thcater.
Mr.. voorhees, Qnd.) introduced a concur
rent resolution (Which was referreD declar-
ing that, in view of the dreadful disasters
that nave taken place within the walls of
the Old Ford's Theater in Washington. IL
should not again be used by the government
for clerical purposes, but should be either
used as museum for scientific purposes or
torn down and totally demolished.
Mr.. Hoar (Mass.) addressed the Senate.
A Hawaiian investigation.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Hoar's speech a
resolution was offered by Mr.. Morgan (Ala.)
and agreed to, directing the committee on
foreign relations to inquire and report
whether irregularities have occurred in the
diplomatic or other intercourse between the
United States and Hawaii relative tn the
recent revolution in Hawaii
AT $50 the Senate went into executive
session.