The herald., 1895-02-15
Mr.. Plat Said the Condition of
Affairs Was Shocking
BARBARITIES UNPARALLELED
Mr.. Call Inflicted His Irrepressible
Resolution on the Senate
A Discussion on the Proposition of Government
Ownership OF Postal Cars
by Mr.. Blackburn

Washington, Feb. 14.-When the Senate
met today the high tension of the tinan
cal situation was clearly evident from the
animated groups of Senators who dis
cussed the subject A rumor soon gained
circulation that suggestions had been
made that a resolution be passed direct
ing and advising the executive branch of
the Government to cancel the contract
with the bankers for the sale of $62, 000,
900 bonds. With the several financial
bills on the calendar and on the table it
was felt that decisive action one way or
the ether was not far Off
Mr. Platt Republican of Connecticut,
presented petition and gave dramatic
details concerning barbarous executions
in the Choctaw territory He said the
facts, if known, would shock the civil
lied world as they presented barbarties
unparalleled in this country. The petit
ton urged that a law be passed giving an
appeal to Indian courts.
Mr.. Platt said the time had been
reached when such law was imperative
in order to end the shocking condition of
affairs
A favorable report was made by
special committee allowing $l15, 900 to the
widows and children of those killed at
Ford's Theater at Washington.
Mr.. Lodge, Republican of Massachusetts,
offered a resolution which was agreed to-
asking the Secretary of the Treasury for
information as to the returns from dis
titled spirits, and what reduction would
occur from the prospective close of dis
tilleries.
Mr.. CALL Democrat, of Florida, then
brought forward his irrepressible resolu-
ton for Senate investigation of the Hon
duras Lottery Company's operations IN
controlling Florida elections.
Mr.. Blackburn sought to cut it off by
moving to refer to the Committee on
Privileges and Elections, and this caused
heated debate for some time, during
which Mr.. Morgan Democrat of Ala
bama, sharply criticized the course of Mr..
Call, who, Mr.. Morgan said, was seeking
to take the advice and assistance of poll
ticians anxious to thrust a federal in
quiry into the state affairs of Florida.
Mr.. Blackburn then moved to take
up the postoffice appropriation bill.
Discussion was resumed on the two
important amendments, first to give the
Postmaster General discretion over the
So, 200, 900 for railway postal cars, and
second, for the purchase and maintenance
by the Government of all postal cars. The
presiding officer interviewed at this point
to present the response of Secretary Car
Isle to the comprehensive resolution pre-
scented by Mr.. German for information as
to the condition of the Treasury. Its
a. { 4.
close attention by Mr.. German, Mr..
Cockrell and Mr.. Allison, although it was
too statistical to engage general attention.
Before its reading ended, Mr.. German
proposed that it would be desirable to
have it in pamphlet form ready for use
tomorrow, and this was done, N;,5t
AS on yesterday the amendment was
generally discussed, Messrs. Villas, Teller,
Platt, Carey and Others participating
The votes on the various railway mails
amendments were taken at D. m, and
defeated.
The amendment of Mr.. Blackburn, pro-
posing 10 per cent reduction in postal
car rates, was laid on the table, AZ to 49,
Mr.. Villas offered an amendment fixing
the pay of railway mail clerks as follows:
class, 81, 900; third-class, 81, 200; fourth
class, 81, 300; ffth-class, $500; sixth
class, $1,000; seventh-class 81, 800. 1t was
ruled out of order.
Mr.. Davis, Republican, of Minnesota,
offered an amendment that railway mail
clerks hereafter appointed shall reside on
their routes. Agreed to.
The credentials of Augustus o. Bacon,
as Senator from Georgia, for the term be-
ginning March 4th next were presented
by Mr. Walsh of Georgia.
Mr.. Butler gave notice that he would to-
morrow call up his resolution advancing
the pooling bill.
At 6:15 p. m. the Senate held brief
executive session and adjourned.