Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-02-15
IN THE SENATE TODAY
The Oklahoma Railroad Bill Still Being
Discussed.
Senator PETER Offers . Woman Suf-
frage Amendment That In
Defeated.

When the Senate met today Senator
George presented the credentials or senator
elect McLaurin of Mississippi and the oath
of office was administered to the new Sen
ator.
"A bill was presented by Senator Hoar Ito
prevent lottery practices through the ma
tional and foreign mail service.
Senator Harris Crern.) presented a bill TO
prevent conflict between the federal and
state courts in all cases Affecting private
rights.
The House bill to compel the Rock Island
railroad Company to stop its trains at
Enid and Round Pond. Oklahoma. came up
at 12:3O as the unfinished business, and
Senator Platt Comm took the floor IN op-
position TO the measure
MIR. Platt said his principal reason for
opposition was that Congress should not
enact legislation Of this kind. When the
territorial act was passed, full power to
control these matters was vested in the ter
ritorlal legislature. Home rule was a very
elastic argument; and he had observed that
when senator's wanted to interfere in do
nestle affairs they cried Home rule" and
wnen they were opposed to interfering they
cried Home rule" Gaughter)
The matter should be left entirely tn the
territorial legislature
Crfoctsfng Secretary Smiths Action,
senator Platt sharply commented upon
the action OF the Secretary of the Interior
IN the town site matters and charged that
oihcial with having left his department
anu come TO the Senate in company with
.he commissioner of the general land Office
10 LOBBY this bill through the COMMITTED
anu through the Senate. Don't talk about
ator. '-ie "e"
senator Berry maintained that the Secre-
tary or the Interior had been invited bv
, mem OF the committee to appear before
mi fza..
gard to the bill. But the repra sant ar;rss
OF that railroad said he, have Infested
the capitol from every direction for weeks .
oontlnuing, Senator Plat said that q
register or receiver of the land Office at
End had been here for a week or ten DAYS
ioobyins for this bill. How did he get
mere! said he. except with the permission
OF the secretary OF the Interior? II there
were no other things which would induce
me TO vote against this bill II would he The
record OF 1t as affecting the Secretary of tbe
interior and the general land Office"
Al the conclusion of Senator Platt's argyll
Hleht senator Blackburn moved to Law the
Dill on the table. The yeas and nays heinp
demanded the roll call resulted: yeas o..
nays, 81, and the motion to table the bill
was defeated.
Woman Suffrage Amendment.
senator PETER then presented an amend
ment to provide that in any election for
the location of county seats, all citizens
N'iN 1tatcS irrespective OF sex
shall be entitled to vote 1t was opposed
by Senator Blackburn, but Senator PETER
made strong speech in support of his
amendment.
Il intend" said he In conclusion. ito
avail myself of every opportunity TO give
to woman-God bless her-every advantage
every right and every privilege that 1 have
got" Applause)
The amendment was defeated, the vote
being yeas. Is; nays, AZ. Those voting for
woman's suffrage were Senators Allison
Carey. Davis. Dolph. Frye, Gallinger, Hans b
brouSh, Kyle, Henderson. Mitchell of Ore
gon. PETER, Perkins, Stewart, Teller and
Wilson.
An amendment providing that a special
election shall be held for the purpose Of To-
eating county seats In the counties of IL"
and o. and that all male citizens of the
United States who have resided in such
counties for thirty days previous to such
election shall be entitled to vote was car
ried by vote of "a yeas to 81 nays.
The Bill Passed.
The Oklahoma town-site bill passed-yeas,
%; nays. %. Vice President Stevenson vot-
ing yea.
At 2l5 Senator Pugh, chairman Of the
judiciary committee, said IL was a quarter
OF an hour after the agreed time for the
executive session, but discussion on the
townsite bill was continued.
In Executive Session.
At go Mr. Pugh made the motion for an
executive session and 1t was agreed to.