Evening star., 1894-03-05
! N T H E S EN- AT E
Many Petitions in Regard to the Tariff
Bill Presented.
After TransactinE Some Routine Busi-
ness the Senate Goes Into
Executive Session.

The morning hour of the Senate this
morning was taken up with routine busi-
ness OF local interest to various sections
OF the country. The Bland silver seig-
niorage bill was received from the House
ana referred to the committee on finance
MI. Allen (Neb) presented an amend
ment to the rules providing that IT shall
De the duty of a committee to which a
Dill, resolution or other measure has been
referred to report it back within thirty
days, and if the committee shall fail to
report in that time the Senator presenting
1t shall have the right to call for a report
under certain restrictions The proposed
amendment was referred to the committee
on rules.
Mr. voorhees, presented a compilation of
tne coinage laws from 1892 to 1894. prepared
under the direction of the finance commit
tee, which, he said, was of inestim BILE
value. and he asked to have them printed
as a public document. This was so ordered
Against the Tariff Bill.
among a number of petitions presented
by Mr.. Cockrell were several letters from
druggists in Missouri asking him to vote
against the Wilson bill because il raised
the duty on alcohol MIR. Ccckrell was
astonished at receiving so many letters
from the members of one profession and
COuCHtu III terms SlnRllarlX uniform.
until he received the inspiration" of these
letters, circular from the Iowa State
Pharmaceutical Association of Dubuque
asking the druggists to write to the Sena-
tors from Missouri directing them to vote
against an increase of taxation on a neces-
sity.
"A necessity in prohibition communities. /"
exclaimed Mr.. Cockrell melodramatically,
more necessary than tea or coffee" lie
asked that this "cart load" of petitions be
referred to the committee on finance, SO
the distinguished Senator from Iowa Cdr.
Allison), who was a member of the commit
tee might have ar opportunity to consider
the petitions and these piteous appeals
from his constituents.
Mr.. Allison, replying in the same sarcas-
tic tone. said that he supposed that at some
time the finance committee as whols
might have an opportunity to look into
these protests. So far he had not had a
chance to look at such matters.
The Bland Bill.
The Vice President was referring the bills
received from the House to their appro-
pirate committees and was about to refer
the Bland seigniorage bill when Mr.. Stew-
art of Nevada objected to its reference and
asked that it lie on the table so that ii
might be called up at any time. After con-
siderable discussion this was agreed to,
with the understa nding that It be laid be-
fore the Senate tomorrow.
The amendment to the rules proposad by
Mr.. Peffer for the discontinuanCe of secret
sessions was laid before the Senate and on
MIR. PETERS motion was referred 20 The
committee on rules.
Mr.. Brice tOhio) called up the House hill
Tor the construction of bridge across the
Arkansas river at or near Van Buren,
ARK. The bill was passed without amend
ment
The McGarrahan Claim.
Ihe senate took up from the calendar the
famous McGarrahan claim. The old oppo.
stion cropped out again and Mr.. Morrill,
of Vermont, who has always been the chief
obstacle to the passage of the bill, asked
that 1t go over until tomorrow. 1t was
agreed to.
A number of private bills We're taken
from the calendar and passed.
Then at 205. on motion of Mr.. German,
the Senate went into executive session.