The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1894-12-13
FIFTY THIRD CONGRESS-.
CONSIDERABLE BUSINESS TRANS
ACTED YESTERDAY.
Railroad Pooling Bill Discussed in the
House-Cloture Discussed at Great
Length in the Senate.-Wash-
ington Notes.
SENATE.

"A
the session lasted only until 2:45 O'Clock,
there was time enough for several brisk
DEBATES. Mr.. Vests efforts to secure a
change in order to expedite senate busi
ness was the chief event of the day. The
usual dizziness of discussion of rules was
onset by the prevalent feeling that a clio
ture rule would have much to do at this
particular time, with pending tariff bills
affecting coal, iron and sugar. Mr.. Vest
was formerly opposed to coture. but TODAY
= ne announced his conversion and said clo-
Oture was imperative to maintain the dig
nlty ana self respect of the senate and
the interest of the public.
senator Chambers sarcasm at Senator
vests conversion enlivened the debate.
Inc question went over until tomorrow,
When Mr.. Vest will try to secure a vote
instructing the rules committee TO odont
cloture rule by the 18th inst
Another feature of the day was the
sharp debate of the China-Japan cues
lions, brought out by Mr.. Lodges resolu-
non calling for information as to the tor
turing OF two Japanese students who were
under American protection.
MIR. PETER made the first formal speech
OF the session. criticising from Populs-
TIC point the recent issue of bonds and Civ
ing his views on finance.
There was not a quorum present when
lne senate met today but as there was no
demand for quorum, business proceeded
with limited attendance. Bills were in
\ troduced by:
Mr.. Berry Dem. Ark.)-To form
the territory of lndianola out of
portion of the Indian Territory.
By Mr.. Dolph rep. Ore)-To exempt
\ from duty foreign exhibits at the Port
land, Ore, exposition.
By Mr.. Hunton Dem Va.)-To remit
the fines and penalties on the naval ships
:n Yorktown, Baltimore, Newark and
Philadelphia.
BY Mr.. Dolph-To forfeit the unearned
public lands granted to railroads.
By Mr.. Mcpherson dem. n. j., by re-
quest-Eor the investigation of the plans
for unit of labor.
The venerable Mr.. Morrill, N.ep. VT
arose at this point and with much ear
nestness and in tremulous tones stated
gthat on Wednesday he would address the
senate on Some Marvellous Senate Bills
and Some Quacks' Panaceas for Real and
Imaginary Ills.
The vice president laid before the senate
the resolution of Mr.. Lodge calling on the
secretary of state for information as to
execution of two japanese students by
Chinese authorities while the students
were under the protection of the United
States. Mr.. Lodge said he appreciated
the delicacy of the question. He review
japanese students were subjected while
under the protection of this country and
said if the facts were as bad as had been
published someone was very much to
blame. If they were not this government
should be indicated from the charge.
Mr.. Chandler (Rep. n. H. suggested
that as the senator from Alabama (NIr.
MOrgan) was chairman of the foreign
relations committee it would be well to
know if he saw. any objection to secure
speedy information.
Mr.. Morgan, replying, stated warmly
that it would be unwise to- take any ac-
ton which would appear favorable to one
side or the other. Mr.. Morgan said his
main objection to the resolution was that
--sA--lly,N predicated on an impeachment of
the president or secretary of state.
Mr.. Lodge answered with much vigor
that he had not intended to present any
impeachment or make any attack. 'This
country has done a good deal of meddl-
ing in this Japan-Chines mix" said Mr..
Lodge, sharply. 1T began by warning
Japan concerning her advances in Corea.
From that time we have been meddling-
constantly meddling."
Mr.. Morgan stated that meeting of
the foreign relations committee would be
called at once to consider this resolution
if it was sent to the committee.
On this assurance it was referred.
Mr.. Pfeffer then secured the floor for a
long and carefully prepared speech, which
he read from printed sheets. 1t referred
to his calling for information as to the
action of the secretary of the treasury in
issuing bonds and arraigned public
officers for perfidy and usurpation of au-
thority.
At the close of Pfeffer's speech the
resolution was adopted without division.
1t asked the judiciary committee to in.
quire into the action of the secretary OF
the treasury in issuing bonds.
Another resolution by Mr.. Pfeffer for |
information from the president as to use |
of United States troops at Chicago dur |
ing the strike brought out considerable |
debate on the subject of it's reference to |
the committee. Mr.. Pfeffer wanted 1t !
passed without the delays of a committee;
Mr. Chandler Rep. N. ID supported
Mr.. Pfeffer's contention. 1T would Pc
well to gather in this information at the
possible moment, for then congress can
proceed to deal with them," said MIR.
Chandler.
Mr.. Pugh dem. Ala.) called attention
TO the fact that the grand jury at Chicago
was making an investigation SO tnat IL
would be detrimental to public interest
TO require the president to give lntorma-
tion on the strike subject. The resolu-
ton was referred to the judiciary COM
Mr.. Vest Dem Mo- then arose and ad-
dressed the senate on the need of change
of the senate rules. He modified the
form of his resolution. Mr.. Vest said he
had formerly opposed cloture, but he was
now convinced that cloture was inevita-
HE and that it should be effected as soon
as possible. The question was thorough
" understood, having been debated Tor
Years. so that the senate was in position
fo act at once. When the senate num-
bered 40 members there was 10 need OF
cloture. but when the senate increased
50 that its membership would soon
reach 100 it was imperatively necessary
20 have a rule bringing debate to close.
In reality the present rules stitied DEBATE,
Senators will not debate question
when they realize the hopeless opposition
under which they labor, These rules
encourage parliamentary blackmall ue
hills are offered under the deliberate ttirtte
that If they are not accepted an INDEFINITE
o oll,' will be inaugurated: Inc sen,
ate had been brought into pubic dlsreputgg
Inv it's rules. 1t was poEularly resalu;t ta
os imnotent and unable to perform lIs
functions of legislation. Bills Ill tle pas
have fingered here until they were del9
and the people were weary ana dlss soto
~.nNln