Evening star., 1895-10-14
SENATOR CULLOM
He Talks Of the Reorganization Of
the Senate.
DEMOCRATIC and POPULlSP POSITION
Probable Amendment of the Inter-
state Commerce Law.
THE DEBS OPINION APPROVED

Senator Cullom is spending a few days
here to rest before entering upon the Ohio
campaign, in which he is to take an active
part. In the course of the discussion of the
political situation Senator Cullom was ask
ed whether he thought that there would be
reorganization of the Senate by the re-
publicans, and whether there had been any
arrangement, understanding or correspond
ence to that effect. He answered:
1--WE shall have to wait to see about that.
cannot tell now, and have no definite idea
upon the subject. There has been no ar
Iangement among the republicans to that
end so far as know. I do not understand
that there was any tacit agreement on the
part of the republicans at the end of the
last session that there should be no at
tempt made by them to reorganize the
Senate unless they could be certain to con-
troll 1t by republican votes, as has been
suggested in some quarters. 1t would. Of
course, be to the advantage of the repub-
Icans from party point OF view to or
ganize the Senate if they could. The con-
troll of the committees and of legislation
would be an important party advantage
for the republicans, should they have sutti-
cient strength to organize the Senate. But
the mere question of patronage, and of
committee places, is not likely to be de-
termining factor in the matter. There
might be some complication in the organ-
Zation Of the finance committee and some
difference of opinion as to the silver ques-
tiCn. l do not think. however, that there
WOULD be contest, as has been suggested,
Aldrich for the craftsmanship Of the finance
committee"
The Democratic Position.
DO you understand that the democrats
really desire to retain control of the Sem
ate?'
II have no knowledge on that subject.
They certainly could not do so. whatever
their desires might be, unless all of the
populsts should cooperate with them, and
l do not see how 1t is possible for the DEM
ocrats to make combination with the
populsts or to unite with them for general
purposes of cooperation except on the
basis of free coinage. And it is difficult to
understand how the democrats and popu-
lists can come to any agreement on that
subject The minority faction of the dem
ocrats, which is opposed to free coinage 1t
does not seem probable would surrender
it's position in order to form coalition, the
sole object Of which would be to control the
patronage of the Senate. If the so-called
sound money men in the democratic party
can do that they attach much greater inn
pcrtance to the question of patronage than
it is generally supposed that they do"
rs anything known to the probable
action of the populisfs of the Senate this
winter as regards democratic and repub-
lcan measures?"
Il certainly have no information as to
their probable action on any subject
"It has been stated that Senator Jones of
Nevada has recently announces that he is
not to be regarded as a populist. Does it
seem probable that he will act with the
repuhlicans?"
II have heard of no announcement by him
to that effect, but I have always believed
that he is as strong a republican as any
member of the Senate on every question
except the single one of silver. As to the
intentions Of Senator Stewart Of Nevada, I
have no information whatever"
Interstate Commerce Law.
Senator Cullom, who was long the chair
man of the interstate commerce commit
tee, and who was a controlling factor in
the enactment of the interstate commerce
law. in discussing the probability that fur
tber attempts may be made at the COM
ing session of Congress to amend the in
terstate commerce law and to renew the
agitation as to pooling, said:
Il have no definite information about
that. 1 have heard nothing on the subject
except the ordinary newspaper talk.
I think, however, that the business
men are very much better advised as
been; and as to the provisions which re-
late to pooling, it seems to be that more
of them are in favor of amending the pres
ent law in that regard than they ever have
been. There is difference of opinion upon
this subject even among railroad men,"
The Pullman Palace Car Company.
"Do you understand that Senator Sherman
is to renew the movement to put the Pull
man Palace Car Company and other sleeping
car companies under the provisions of the
interstate commerce act, which he was en-
f,,fo tod
outbreak of the Debs rebellion?"
Il know nothing of his purposes in this re-
spect. When the interstate commerce law
was passed we supposed that these COM
panieS as well as express companies, except
such as were specifically exempted, were
subject to the operations of the interstate
commerce law. But these companies
entertained a different view of the subject
and the courts in some instances have agreed
with them. Our committee endeavored to
secure the adoption of amendments which
would bring the Pullman Palace Car Com
pany, the other sleeping car companies and
all express companies which were not SUBJ
ject to the law within the provisions of the
act
The Attorney Generals Opinion.
'Is it your judgment that the opinion of
Attorney General Olney, in which national
jurisdiction over interstate traffic was so
vigorously asserted, has met with the ap-
proval of the people?"
81 think there is no act of Mr.. Cieve-
lands administration which has so COM
mended itself to popular approval as the
acts which have been based upon the opin-
ion of Attorney General Olney in the Debs
case, to which you refer. And there can be
no doubt also that the extension of national
control over interstate railroads has met
with the approval of the people. 1t has been
very clear, for that matter, that the inter-
state commerce law has been a a,distinct pub
lie benefit. There has, of course, been much
opposition, as very many important interests
have been involved And there is more or less
friction. But there can be no doubt that
the law as whole has been great benefit
to the people"
THE ENGINEER CORPS.