The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-13
WASHINGTON LETTER.
A HALF HOUR SESSION HELD BY
THE SENATE.
Jrneventful Session in the HOuse-Dem-
ocratic Senators Hold a Caucus, But
Took No Action-Peffer Intro
duced Number of Bills.
SENATE.

proceeding with the business tsSlL
There was time enough, however, tol
Mr.. Lodge of MASSACHUSETTS, to nave tiN,,
passed two resolutions for information
which promises to bring the Hawaiian
and Bluefields incidents before congress
for comment and possibly criticism.
There was the usual deluge of bills and
petitions incident to the opening days OF
a session, none of them, however, being
of public Importance.
HOUSE.
Washington, Dec. 4.-The session of
the house today was exceedingly duh ana
uninterestng, The attendance. was small
and there was no clash of any kind.
A bill providing for the dedication of
the Chickaumauga and Chattanooga mil
itary parks Sept 10 and 20, 1895, and one
for the establishment of national mil
itary park on the site of the battle of
Shiloh were passed and the remainder of
the day was devoted to a fruitless discus
sion of the printing bills.
Mr.. Richardson occupied two hours eX-
planning the minute details of the CON
ference report, which was subsequently
vigorously attacked by Mr. Dunn of New
Jersey on the ground that the bill would
cothe the joint committee on printing
with inOrdinate power, both in the matter
of patronage and control of printing pub
lie documents
After further debate, the report went
over and the house at 800 p. III. adj
journed until tomorrow.
COMMITTEE ON NAVAL AF-
FAIRS.
Washington, Dec. 1.-The resignation
of Representative Amos Cummings, to
take local Office in New York City,
leaves a vacancy in the craftsmanship Of
the committee on naval affairs. 1t will
be filed by Representative Gessenhaiser
of New Jersey. The latter is chairman
of the committee on immigration and nat
uralization, but it is understood that he
has already sent to Speaker Crisp his res
ignatiOn of that position. The naval af
fairs committee will have considerable
work during the present session, particu-
larry should it undertake to carry out Sec
rotary Herbert's recommendation for
new vessels of war and new torpedo
boats.
AMERICAN REGISTER.
Washington, Dec. 4.-Representative
Bingham of Pennsylvania today intro
duced into the house (by requesO bill
granting an American register to the
foreign built steamer Empress, owned by
John Hart of Philadelphia.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS.
Washington, Dec. 1.-The Democrats
VI TIC StlulC spent uDOul llltt lOulS III
caucus today and then adjourned with
out taking any action. The time was de-
voted to II discussion of the situation and
to the Wisest course of action for the |
Democratic party during the present ses-
sion of congress. There were numerous |
speeches but they were generally devoid |
of feature of especial interest. To quote |
the language of one who was present |
almost every senator present talked dur |
s.N.N NIN.n. AL l.
own hobby. This consumed the entire |
time and no opportunity was given for
action. AS matter of fact there were |
not to exceed 20 members present, not |
enough to decide upon course in way
that would be binding if those present
had been so disposed. Hence an adjourn
ment was taken without action and the
steering committee went into session.
The entire discussion was based upon a
series of resolutions presented by Senator
Daniel of Virginia, in the shape of sug-
gestions, declared for cloture, committing
the party to an abandonment of all efforts
to amend the tariff law and to an effort
to reform the currency in accordance
with the suggestions of the presidents
message. These resolutions opened a
wide range of debate in which many SEN
ators participated. The principal speech
es were made by Senators Voorhees,, Har-
ris, Vest, Morgan, Pugh and Ransom.
Senator Vest opened the talk with a sug-
gestion to the effect that the wisest course
lay in the abandonment of any effort to
pass free raw material bills (so-called)
because of the evident determination of
the Republicans to prevent action.
Senator Vest in his speech showed an
inclination towards cloture, contending
that if the Democrats did not adopt it
the Republicans would when they should
come into power.
While no action was taken on any ques-
ton by the caucus the prevailing senti-
ment after the close of the caucus seemed
to be that the ultimate decision of the eau
Gus would be adverse to the entire series |
of propositions presented by Senator Dan
ieil. The sentiment favorable to cloture
seemed quite evenly divided, and there
are reasons for believing that it might be
agreed upon but for the fact that the |
Democratic party will soon be in the mi
nority in the senate, Il circumstance which |
led some to advise against the change who |
had heretofore been considered favorable |
to it. There was also Il strong element |
present favorable to passing of the sugar |
bill as presented by the finance committee, |
striking out all differentials on sugar and
leaving a straight revenue duty of 40 per
cent ad valorem, but it was pointed out
that if the attempt should be made i'll this
direction it would open up the entire tariff
question.
SENATOR PEFFER'S BILL.
Washington. Dec 4.-Senator PETER to-
day introduced number of bills. One of
these provides for the purchase of silver
bullion ut the market price with green
backs, the silver so purchased to be coin
ed into standard silver dollars, and both
the silver and greenbacks to be used for
the payment of outstanding bonds. The
titles of the more important of the other
bills introduced by Mr. PETER are as fol-
lows:
To provide for the government control
of freight railways; to reduce the cost of
transportation to establish just and uni
form charge for carrying freight to pre-
vent Interruptions to interstate commerce
by strikers and to secure reasonable COM
pensation to railroad employees; to author
ize banking or capital secured by pledge
of real estate security: to secure deposit
tors against loss: to enlarge the volume o.
circulating money: to relieve persons who
have settled on the public lands and who
have lost their homes by reason of mis-
fortune for which they are not RESPONSE
BILE: to repeal that part of the act OF Jan
nary II, 1879, known as the resumption
act. which authorized the sale of bonds:
10 provide for the proper disposition OF the
remains of deceased members OF the sen
ate and house of representatives who die
az tho cnnitrl during sessions of congress,