New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1894-03-14
COUNSEL FOR THE CONFUSION
DO THE DEMOCRATS DIsrRUsT OLNEYg
,IR CANNONs REMARKS ON PROPOSAL TO
GIVE LEGAL HELP TO THE INTERSTATE
COMMERCE. COMMISSION MAKE THE
NY 1rIEGRArH 10 The TRIBUNE

COMMERCE. COMMISSION MAKE THE
MAJORITY UNCOMFORTABLE.
NY TELEGRAPH 10 TRIBUNE
Washington. March lS-Mr. Cannon, 'of LIMOS
addressed an inquiry TO Chairman savers OF the Ap-
preparations Committee. in the House to-day which
caused the Democrats no little unhapInness me
Sundry Civil bill in the Committee of'the Whole
and that paragraph had been reached which car
red an appropriation for the support OF the Inter-
state Commerce Commission A part OF this ap-
propriation was described in the bill as Intended TO
enable the Commission to employ counsel! Mr.. can
non is a member Of the Appropriations committee
and when this paragraph read his eyes began
70 twinkle and he said he should like to inquire of
his colleague in charge ofhe- bill why 1t was neces
sary for the Commission to, employ counsei "heh
the United States maintained$a Department OF JUS
tce and a small army of lawyers for precisely such
purposes as the furnishing of bureaus OF the Gov
eminent with legal advice and assistance
Chairman Savers looked ANNOYED. He saw what
Mr. Cannon was getting at but he could not see how
TO avoid IT, He replied shortly that the'Commlssion
was constantly called upon 10 defend It's rulings
and the powers 1t assumed, and"to DEFEND them III
the courts and it required the, aid of attorneys
especially qualified for the performance of SUCH
service. Mr.. Cannon replied:
But that is precisely the kind oftseryice for the
performance of which main tanlas Cabinet oiilcer
md Department of Government. Now. am ask
lg this question simply for Information. II thls
ibat !, has no confidence in the Attorney General
that It believes the newspaper stories, generally
and constantly in circulation. to his relations
with railroad corporations; If it is true that he ~
now director in and the attorney OF various com
panies over which the Interstate Commerce Sommls-
IN is endeavoring to exercise control, and II my
G league is afraid because of these relations 10
trust the Attorney General to do his duty, and II
this appropriation is made in this form 10 enable
the Commission to defend itself against the Cab
met of President Cleveland, one of whose members
is thus related to the railroads and another of
whom lately rendered a decision as Federal Judge
declaring that the Commission was incompetent
even to compel the attendance OF witnesses-f this
is the humiatng confession that my friend de-
sires to make. | shall certainly express my SYM
patty for him by voting for the appropriation.
Mr. Sayers looked grieved. His Democratic and
Populist associates looked gum. The "Cuckoos'
looked gum. The Republicans smiled and Mr.
Sayers said with marked abruptness
1--WE want the Commission to have charge OF its
own expenditures for legal services"
Every well" said Mr. Cannon. 1--WE understand
you perfectly.
A motion by Mr. Morse Rep.. Mass) to strike
the appropriation for the Interstate Commerce
Commission gave rise animated discussion OF
the effect Of the decision of Judge Grosscup.
at Chicago, which Mr.. Daniels. of New York, said
was unauthorized ana in opposition TO the declara-
ton of the Supreme Court the subject. Mr..
Morses motion received but five'votes.