Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1896-02-18
IN CONGRESS TODAY
The Pacific Railroad Investigation
Discussed in the Senate.
Mr.. PETER ON THE BOND issues
Effect of Chinese Competition on
the Pacific Coast.
THE AGRICULTURAL BILL

Whea the Senate met at noon today Mr..
+sIlen tNeb9 asked the finance committee
what ste s were to be taken toward a con-
ference with the House on the silver bond
bill. He called attention to the report re-
ceived fro m the House yesterday disagree
ing with the Senate silver substitute. No
action had been taken toward a conference.
and Mr.. Allen expressed the hope that the
entire question would not lapse.
I'VE are waiting for scme action on the
part OF the House" responded Mr.. Morrill,,
chair man of the france committee. If
they want conference they will ask for
it,"
Il beg to express the hope." added Mr..
Allen. that there is no. premeditated at
tempt to drop this measure
Mr.. Chandler suggested facetiOusly that
it might be in order for Mr.. Allen to move
that the Senate recetlt from its silver
amendment
The Vice President had the Record read
showing that The House in rejecting the
Senate amendment did not ask for a con-
ference. No further action was taken to-
ward a conference.
Steamboat Inspection Service.
Mr.. Frye tMeD. chairman of the commit
tee on commerce. state(. the results of an
inquiry he had made of charges against
the steamboat Inspection service. 1t had
involved the question Of making political
appointments to the offices of inspector of
hulls ana boiie rs-appointments based on
party strvice-a thing utterly absurd. said
Mr.. Frye, in a service having control of
human life at sea. Chief Inspector DumOnt
had. at the Instance of the Senator. gone
into the subject thoroughly. and now sub
mitted a DILL covering a general plan of re-
form.
Mr.. Gear. chairman of the committee on
rolf :1rTN1 de He'd t1,1
misa pprehensfon that the committee was
hearing only Iailro ad officers and agents.
ON the contrary. he >aiS.s full and ample
notice had been given to all parties who so
cesired to appear. The committee could
not undertake to subpoena patrons of these
roads The latter could present their views
if HEY 80 desired.
Mr.. Allen (Neb) insisted that the patrons
traders. etc. along the line had not been
invited TO the hearing. The only persons
heard Wee Mr.. c. p. Huntington. Mr.. VIM
slow and other interested parties.
The Farmers Alliance.
There was sharp three-cornered debate
between Messrs. Gear. Allen and Wolcott
as to the committees course. Mr.. Gear
wanted to know who. Mr.. Allen desired to
have heard.
Mr.. Allen responded that the Farmers
Alliance in Nebraska had a large fund of
Information Why was it not asked for9
We have no official knowledge of the ex-
1stehce OF such an organization responded
Mr.. Gear.
MIR. Allen declared that there was con-
spicuous evidence the country over of the
alliances existence
Why does not the Nebraska Senator in
form his allfsnce-coafst roents of this hear
ing. asked MIR. Wolcott. possibly securing
them passes. as they would doubtless de-
cline to come at government expense as
contrary to their principles2''
Il hot b,-a, t,al <~fS; into tla 1l,o,
ter of the witnesses appearing before the
committee. The name of Mr.. Coombs was
mentioned Mr. Allen insisted that Mr..
Coombs was a broker. Mr.. FRYE asserted
that Mr- Coombs was one of the best law
yers of New England.
A sharp and amusing controversy arose
as to Mr.. CoombS' Observation-Disclosures it
was in Boston, Brooklyn or Sioux City.
Mr.. Allen continued his criticism of the
committee at considerable length.
MIR. PETER and the Bond Issues.
Mr.. PETER sought ta,secure action on his
resolution for the creation of special COM
mittee of FIVE Senators to inquire into the
circumstances of recent bond issues. Mr.
Sherman moved to refer the resolution to
the finance committee. He said that if such
an inquiry was made a regular committee
of the. Senate should conduct Ii, thus avert
ing needless expense OF a special inquiry
Mr.. Sherman said that as rule he consid-
priety were made against officials of the
government, that an inquiry should be
made.
WI IfefHer followed at considerable length
criticisins bond fsstss The Senator de-
clared that public iElig pation alone pre-
vented the last bond issue from going to
the syndicate which made such enormous
proftSRt the previous bond sale Mr. PETER
referred to the vague suggestions OF scan
dial as to this lastrsaIe. including the late
submission of one of the largest bids.
Mr. Stewart followed in advocacy of an
inquiry. and in strong criticism of recent
bond issues.
Mr.. lodge briefly stated that in view of
the charges of irregularfty. involving the
credit of the government, be believed that
an investigation shotfd be made. He NOV
ed an amendment to the resolution direct
ing the finance Committee to make the in
yestigation-
Mr.. Hill Opposes Inquiry.
Mr. HIS N,Y9 appearance in opposi-
ton to the proposed inquiry was the signal
for spirited debate. He IVES opposed. he
said. to any investigation at this time by
the finance committee or any other com
mittee. He deprecated the custom of fol
Lowing up every idle rumor. every indefinite
charge that the right thing had not been
Gone
The Senate had heretofore dignifed such
rumors by serious investigation. 1t was
a pandering to idle curiosity. The Senator
Peffer, who proposed this inquiry did no,
make personal charges against the Presi-
dent or Secretary of the Treasury.
But l make the charge" exclaimed NIr
Stewart. rising and moving down the mid
die aisle.
Mr.. Hill waived Mr.. Stewart back and
declined to yield to the interruption.
But let me make the charge" insisted
Mr.. Stewart.
THE Senator will charge anything
said Mr.. HILL still declining to yield.
A Tilt With TiIlman.
Mr. Hill proceeded to argue against Sen.
ate Inquiries of rumors, when he was
again interrupted. this time by Mr.. Tillmar
Is g. The latter raised his right arm. and
was about to frame energetic question
when Mr.. Hill positively declined to yielG
a question, saying only few minutes re
manned before o'clock, when the expira
ton of the morning hour would cut him off
Mr.. Tillnan yielded reluctantly. ard as ne
took his seat exclaimed: 1T is not the first
time 1 have seen the Senator CHilD do up
resolution by talking it until . o'clock
MIR. Hill turned about, facing tine South
Carolina Senator. and addressing him per.
sonaliy. said: II will be the Judge of how
long and when I will speak"
Undoubtedly" INTERCEPTED Mr. Tillinan
Ironically.
And" proceeded Mr.. Hill. II will moi
be governed In my course by the Senator
from South Carolina Tiilman)"
In the course of the quick passages bacl
and forth. the Vice Presidents gavel hat