The herald., 1896-05-19
IN THE SENATE
A Whole Day Devoted to Considering 0ss
Prices

Prices
Associated Press Special Wire.
WASHINGTON, May 1s.-The senate
today by vote of six yeas to forty-one
nays defeated motion OF Mr.. Allen,
PopuliSt of Nebraska, to proceed with
the consideration of the resolution to in
vestigate alleged election Irregularities
in Alabama, occurring at the time Gov.
Oates was elected over Kolb, POpulist.
The entire day of the senate after
p. m. was given to the bill regulating
gas rates in the District Of Columbia.
Bills were passed authorizing the pur-
chase by the United States and the max
ing free of tolls the roads passing over
the Yosemite national park; regulating
the pay of non-commissioned officers OF
artillery, cavalry and infantry Of the
army as follows: Sergeant majors, $50;
regimental quartermaster, $50; first SER
geant, $50; sergeant, s23; corporal, SIT.
A proviso to the last bill provides for
continuance Of longevity pay as here
tofore. The bill was passed appropria-
ting 100000 for a public building and
site at Deadwood, S. D.
Mr.. Chandler of New Hampshire se-
cured the adoption of a resolution CALL
ing on the attorney-general for state
ment of the government suits instituted
in New York city as to the joint railway
traffic association between Chicago and
the Atlantic seaboard.
The resolutions recently presented BY
Mr.. Sherman for the appointment of five
senators to go to Alaska during the re-
cess of congress and conduct certain in
quiries as to seal life, boundary, ETC.,
was reported back by the committee on
contingent expenses and placed on the
calendar without recommendation
Mr.. Chandler objected to immediate
consideration
The proposed inquiry into alleged
election Irregularities in Alabama came
up on request of Mr. Allen for uanai-
nous consent to proceed to the imme-
diate consideration of the subject
Mr.. Hill of New York quickly object.
ed, saying other business had the right
of way and this proposed inquiry was
not privileged question.
Mr.. Chandler, author of the resolution
of inquiry, pointed out that the question
had been pending here in one form or
another for the last two years, and it
seemed evident, said Mr. Chandler. that
the resolution could not progress so long
as the New York senator was here to
object.
Mr.. Chandler asked unanimous con-
sent that a final vote be taken on the
resolution on Wednesday at D. M
Mr.. Allen added that in order to re-
lieve the presiding officer, president
Stevenson, from ruling upon the ques-
ton of privilege, he would move to take
up the resolution. The motion was de-
iSotCu- eeS, U, HtyS, I'll.
Those voting in the affirmative were:
Messrs. Chandler, Frye, Gallinger and
Morrill,, Republicans; and Messrs. AL.
len and PETER, Populists.
On the announcement of the vote, Mr.
Allen said with some feeling that this
disclosed to him what he had long sus-
pected, that there was no sincerity on
the part of Republican senators, with
the exception of the author of the resolu-
tion (Chandleo, as to proceeding with
the investigation. He had felt satisfied
he said. that when it came to a show
down Republican senators would join
with the Democrats in defeating the
Investigation. He said he desired this
vote to go before the country. in view
of the claim that the Republican party
stood for a fair election and an honest
count.
Mr.. Sherman answered briefly that Mr..
Allen had entirely misapprehended the
causes leading to the adverse vote. 1t
was not for the present congress, but for
the one ssembling March 4th next. to in
quire into any questions affecting the
seats of Senators or members whose
terms begin at that time.
Mr.. Allen rose to state that in his judg-
ment the vote was a deliberate refusal
to carry out the party claims of cham-
rioning the cause of fair elections.
Mr.. Chandler said that the vote had
resulted largely in the unwillingness
to displace appropriation bills. If he
had been consulted he would have ad-
vised against crowding vote as against
appropriation bills.
With this furry over. the senate took
up the bill relating to the price of gas
in the District of Columbia.
TIE debate involved a general discuss
sion of the cost of gas. lasting through
out the day. the bill being passed al 6
o'clock, when the senate held an execu-
tive session and adjourned.