The Portland daily press., 1893-01-05

Stewart of Nevada has given notice of an
amendment to the resolution to suspend
all purchases of silver bullion, being the
bill introduced by himself December II,
with the third section modified, to make
its closing sentence read: ''And all sill
yer bullion belonging to the United
States shall be coined as rapidly as pos
sible without delaying coinage for de-
positors." He argued against the repeal
of the act of 1890 and favored free coin
age. The matter went over.
Still Discussing Anti-Option.
The anti-option bill was taken up and
an amendment agreed to inserting in Sec
tion 2 certain words, to make the proviso
read: Such contract or agreement shall
not be made, settled for delivery or set
tlement of difference, or any other mode
Of performance of settlement, in or upon
any board of trade, etc.
Mr.. White moved to insert in Section 8
the word flour" as one of the articles
referred to.
Mr. Washburn said he did not object
to the proposed amendment. Mr.. Sher-
man said he did not believe the bill
would accomplish what is expected of
it. He was disposed to vote for it in
Difference to the opinions of leading
agricultural societies and in
dividual farmers He was
very doubtful, whether it is within the
constitutional power of Congress to reg
ulate contracts and make things lawful
or unlawful, unless they entered into in
ter-state or foreign commerce. He
thought Congress ought to secure to
farmers in some way (if it could do SO
under powers conferred upenit by the
constitution a fair and just market price
for their products. s-s1 d.
Mr.. Whites amendment was agreed to.
Mr.. White moved to strike out proviso
at end of section 2. Vote, taken, after
discussion, resulted years -, nays 30.
A quorum did not vote when the roll
was called.
Forty-four senators Gust quorum) an.
swered. Without further action on Mr..
Whites amendment, the senate went
into executive session and later ad-
journed.
Senator Frye's Plan for the Railroad
WASHINGTON, January 4.-The Pacific
railroad debt question is again before
Congress, in bill introduced today by
Senator Frye, authorizing the appoint
ment of commission to settle claims
United Stat to aid in the construction
of certain railroads and secure to the
United States the payment of all indebt-
edness of the Union Pacific, Central
Branch Union Pacific, Central Pacific
and Western Pacific, now forming part
of the Central Pacific, Sioux City and Pa
cific railroad companies. Under this bill
the President is authorized to appoint
on the commission two Republicans, two
Democrats and l member of the Peoples
party for the term of a year, with .au-
thority to extend to two years, at an an
nual salary of $1O,O 900 each, and necessary
expenses. These commissioners are re-
quired to devote their whole time to the
work for which they are appointed, the
salary to be paid Jointly by the United
States and the railroads interested. The
commission is vested with authority to
ascertain the amount of all obligations
due or TO become due the United States
and enter into agreements with the COM
panies and adjust and extend obligations
as may seem equitable and just. The
intention of the act is to confer such
power as will enable the commission to
settle with the companies, subject only
to the approval of the secretary of the
interior and the President, all existing
rights Of the government to be pre-
served. The commission is vested with
authority to take testimony and invoke
the aid of the United States courts if
necessary.
To Outlaw the PinIer:ons.
WASHINGTON, January a. = Senator
Chandler today introduced in the Senate
bill with the view to stopping further
operations by the Pinkertons. The bill
makes it unlawful for any body of men
umbering ten OF more, any of whom
are subject to enrolment as part of the
military of any state, to assemble, or
drill. or bear arms as military squad,
company, battalion. OF other military Or
ganization, unless called forth by some
civil or military officer lawfully author
lied to make such call. The President
is authorized to disband and disperse
such organization. Every person serving
as a member shall be subject to fine
not exceeding thousand dollars, or by
Imprisonment not exceeding year, or
both.
without Quorum.
WASHINGTON. January 4.-On motion
of Mr.. Hoar of Massachusetts, in, the
House bill was passed admitting free
of duty the 5wreckage OF the United
States steamers Trenton and Vandalia.
Mr.. Martin of Indiana called up pri-
yate pension bills on the calendar of I'M
finished business. One bill passed and
then the House at p. m. adjourned
without quorum, being able to muster
but 148 votes. ~.
Z Pardoning Penitent polysamists. ~
WASHINGTON, January A. President
Harrison today issued a proclamation
granting pardon to all persons liable to