Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-09-18
brief SESSIONS.
The Senate, However, outsits the
House.

House.
The attendance In the Senate today was
a small one
Mr.. Stewart CSevada) gave notice that he
would at the earliest possible opportunity
oner an amendment to the silver BIZ I'm
Tting Mexico and the South and Central
American republics to join the United States
In conference for the purpose Of adoptinE
a common silver dollar of not less than
SSs.1s grains. The Senate then went into ex-
ecutive session.
The Senate remained in executive session
for but few minutes. and then Mr.. PETER
KanD called up his resolution offered Sat-
urday last directing the committee on inter-
state commerce to investigate the recens
train robberies.
Mr.. Cullom dll) suggested that he would
have no objection TO the resolution n the
committee on judiciary Were given 3uris-
dicuon OF the subject instead OF the COM
mittee on Interstate commerce.
Mr.. Hale tMaine) remarked that thers
was no Senator who desired to address the
body on the silver question. He therefore
suggested that the Senator from Kansas
be allowed TO speak upon his resolution.
This consent was given and Mr.. PETER
took the floor In advocacy of his resolution.
He thought that IL was time that Congress
should take some action in the premises.
especially at this time when there were 90
many men out OF employment
Mr.. Cullom believed that everybody recos-
nized the fact that there had been many
train robberies recently. If the fact were
in doubt IL might be proper to give the
committee on Interstate commerce 5urfs-
diction over the subject. But the fact was
judicial one and the judiciary COMMITTEES
should frame any necessary legislation
Mr.. Hale suggested that the states had
provided penalties for the crime alluded %.
L =. n l-a -
gained by transferring the punishment
from the states to the United States This
whole nation was a failure IL the states
could not be relied upon to maintain order
within its borders No state had right
to be powerless.
Mr.. Dolph COreFon) also opposed the res
olution on constitutional grounds. He was
tired of this constant dinging at Congress:
and he disagreed with those who thought
that there was no constitutional obstacle
TO prevent Congress from relieving all dis
abilities that humanity possessed
The resolution was not disposed OF at -
at which hour the Senate In accordancs
with a special order headed by the Vice
President and the officers OF the body, left
the chamber in order TO attend the cere-
monies OF the anniversary OF the laying OF
the Capitol corner stone.
Mr. Cullom replied that offense OF robbins
trains engaged in interstate commerce nat
urally belonged to United States.
Mr.. Harris Crenn.) thought that the rcso-
luton should go to the committee on judi
ciary 1t was no part OF the duty Of the
committee on interstate commerce TO frame
laws to punish crime.
Mr.. Hoar CAass) criticised the resolution,
and contended that delay would be avoided
If the judiciary committee We're given the
matter in charge.
In speaking in favor Of the resolution. Mr..
Allen (NebD said that anarchy had raised
its head in this country 30 frequently thas
the time had come when Congress should
take some measure to wipe out anarchy
and all tendencies in that direction
Mr. Vest (Mo) objected TO the resolution
on constitutional grounds. II was an at
tempt on the part OF the great corporations
TO get the government Of the United states
to protect their property. This kind OF legis-
lation which was proposed was an excres-
cence which had grown UP OF recent years
1t proposed that the states should throw
themselves under the great aegis OF the
United States government. Mr.. Hale IN
ouired whether in the gentleman's state OF
in any other state there was any lack OF
penal statute agains train robbery.
Mr.. Vest replied that there was not In
his own state. so far from there being Q
lack Of power to protect Its people. that
power had been demonstrated on frequent
occasions. He was opposed TO all leg1sla-
ton Of this character.
Mr.. Hawley (Conn) took the same view,
and upheld the right Of states.
The House Takes n Recess.
The House assmblcd at las. and after
the reading OF the journal the Speaker
announced the resolution which had been
agreed TO providing that the House should
take a recess and attend the ceremonies in
a body. BY unanimous consent IL was
agreed that after the ceremonies the men,
bers should return to the hall and that ad-
Iournmcnt would then be had. At so the
Speaker announced that the members would
form in line and proceed TO the east front
of the Capitol The Speaker headed the
line himself. being accompanied by Chief
Clerk Towles. and the members OF the
House followed in couples. proceeding 10
the rotunda, where they were met by the
ushers and escorted TO their seats on the
stand.