The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1894-02-18
RAILROADS IN OKLAHOMA.
The Bill as 70 Stations in the House
With the Senate Amendments.

Wheeler, of Alabama, Moves to Non
Concur-He Claims That Railroad
officials Specializing in Lands Are
at the Bottom Of the Refusal to Stop
Trains at the Two or Three Populous
Towns Making Complaint.
Washington, Feb. 17.-Mr. Wheeler,
dem, of Alabama. moved to-day that the
House non-concur in the Senate amend
meuts to the bill requiring railroads pass
ing through Oklahoma TO establish sta
tons and stop their trains at town sites
in Oklahoma fixed by the Secretary of
the Interior. MIR. Wheeler explained
that there were two Of these towns, one
of which had population OF 5000, at
which the railroad refused to stop their
trains. because, he said, for speculative
reasons officials Of the railroad had pur-
chased land near by and desired to build
up towns thereon. The amendment made
by the Senate provided for elections by
the people Of Oklahoma for the choice
of county seats.
Mr.. Hopkins, rep, Of Illinois. asked
what objections there were to accepting
the Senate amendment.
Mr.. Wheeler replied that one was that
there was no machinery existing for such
elections, and again he contended that
congress had no right to pass a law regu-
lating elections for county seats.
Mr.. Dunn, dem, of New Jersey. asked
Mr.. Wheeler under what power congress
undertook 70 regulate the location Of rail
road stations in the territory.
A CONSPIRACY.
Mr.. Gear, rep, Of Iowa, and several
other members asked Mr.. Wheeler vari-
Gus questions TO which he responded that
the matter was a conspiracy by officers,
directors and stockholders of railroad
corporation to crush out 5000 people who
had gone into the territory and invested
their money in the town sites, fixed by
the department of the interior, at the in
vitation Of the government under an act
of congress.
The discussion drifted into considera-
ton OF the corporation question, in which
Mr.. Wheeler declared TO Mr.. Gear and
other republicans, amid applause and
laughter, that the republican party was a
corporation party, and always found sup
porting corporations in their con test with
the people.
THE EsNATE's FINGER IN THE PIE.
Mr.. Wilson, rep, of Washington, asked
If it were not true that the Senate, which
had made the Objectionable amendment
against the bill which Mr.. Wheeler was
protesting against, was not a democratic
body and its presiding officer, the Vice
President, a democrat.
To this Mr.. Wheeler replied that the
amendment was advocated by repub-
Hcans and put in by their votes.
In reply to questions by Mr.. Hall, dem,
of Missouri, and Mr.. Warner, dem, of
New York, MIR. Wheeler stated that the
amendment was urged by a lobby of ten
or dozen railroad lawyers, and stated
that II had hpaO efafa6 haf
ment had been put on for the purpose of
killing the bill and enabling the railroads
10 win in their fight against the people
A dozen other gentlemen came into the
discussion. When it came TO an end Mr..
Wheeler's motion to non-concur in the
Senate amendment and ask a conference
was agreed to without division.
Speaker Crisp ammo need Messrs.
Wheeler, nilgore a Id Avery as the House
conferees on the oklahoma town site rail
road bill.
When the call of the committees for re-
ports had been finished, Mr.. Bland moved
that the House resolve itself into commit
tee of the whole for the consideration of
the SeignioraCe bill, and that the general
debate close in thirty minutes On this
motion he demanded the previous ques-
ton.
QUORUM LACKING.
Upon seconding the demand for the
previous question the House on division
voted; Yeas los; nays l.
Mr.. Tracey, dem, of New York, made
the point of no quorum, and the yeas and
nays were ordered, upon the request of
Mr. Bland.
The vote resulted: Yeas 1877; nays 8
mo quorum-and call of the House was
ordered.
The call disclosed the presence of 1877
members, and the hour Of o'clock hay
ing arrived, further proceedings under
the call were dispensed with.
UMr. Mcdowell, of Pennsylvania, called
up the resolutions in reference to the
death OF Gen. William Lilly, late a mem
ber-at-large from Pennsylvania, and pro
.eeeded TO address the House thereon.
Speeches were also made by Messrs.
Woomer, of Pennsylvania, Bynum, Of
Indiana, c. w Stone, Hicks, Wright, and
Wanger, OF Pennsylvania, and then at
$40 o'clock, the House as a mark of
respect for the deceased member ad