Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-13
Vainly Tried to Have a Dis
trict Day in the Senate.
A LIVELY DISCUSSION
ATTEMPT TO SET APART EVERY
MONDAY.
Proposed Extension Of the Old Domin-
ion Line the Subject Of
Debate.

A lively discussion was precipitated in the
Senate this afternoon when Senator CALM
ger proposed to have certain days set aside
for the consideration of business relating to
the District of Columbia. Senator Gallfnger
explained to the Senate that every other
Monday in the House of Representatives is
District day, while in the Senate no special
time Is reserved for the transaction of Dis
trict business.
He wished to have Mondays in the Senate
reserved after the morning routine business
for District of Columbia business until the
many bills that have accumulated In the
District committee have been disposed OF.
He then modified this request and moved
that tomorrow Saturday be set aside for
legislation relating to the District.
This suggestion called Senator Bailey to
his feet. Senator Bailey, after humorously
referring to the mayor and city council OF
Washington, meaning Senator Galllnger
and the District committee. said that In the
interest of this resolution and OF such LIS
trict legislation as was not objected to ne
proposed that the bill for the extension OF
the tracks of the Great Falls and Old Do
minion Railroad Company along M street pc
not included in this unanimous agreement
Senator Burrows also said that ne nopeu
that that bill would not be included In the
agreement as 1t would not be likely that
much further business could be done after
it had been reached.
Senator Gallinger said that he did not
like these suggestions. which appeared to
him in the nature of threats.
No Threat Intended.
1T will say" replied Mr.. Burrows. that
made no threat and did not intend to do
so. 1 simply suggested that the agreement
be modified SO as not to include that DILL
which will take good deal of time"
Senator Gallinger again replied that he
had not served on the subcommittee that
had reported the bill for the extension OF
the line of the Great Falls and Old Do
minion railroad into the city, and spoke OF
the opposition as 'factious."
He said that If such opposition was to be
given to the measure 1t would be necessary
to submit 1t in due time in order that the
sentiment of the Senate might be known.
Senator Bailey again replied, saying: 'Ihe
senator evinceS a feeling over this matter
that does not become either him or the
Senate. Nobody has threatened the Sena-
tor. No factious opposition is offered to
that BILL but she suggestion was made on
my part in the interest of District legisla-
tIon.'
Mr. Bailey said that he made the sug-
gestion. as has frequently been made in
other cases, in order that unobjected bills
might be put through without wasting the
time in discussing measures that would
U
he knew nothing about the merits of the
bill, but he had received protests against 1t
from persons interested in an institution OF
learning along the route of the proposed
road. ..--..
= He thought that the senator from New
Hampshire upon reflection would not be
willing to place him in the light of offering
factious opposition to this measure.
Mr. Gallinger's Statement.
Senator GaIIinger said he had no intention
of being other than courteous to the sena-
tors but notice had been served upon the
Senate that If one particular bill is reached
no other bills business will be done, and
that. he said, WAS done in advance OF
knowledge the part Of senators OF
amendments which would be offered to this
bill
He said an amendment would be offered
which. he thought, would obviate the objec-
ton that had been raised to the BILL espe-
cially on the part of the school to which the
sentaor from Texas referred
Senator Hale also said that this was a
matter in which every one was interested
and that there was very. serious opposition
to this cross-town road on NJ street.
He did not think 1t was Unusual to pro-
pose that bill that was known to be OBJ
jectionable be not included in such an
agreement in order, that unobjected meas
ures might be put through. He said that
had been done many times in other cases.
Flea TOT CONSIDERATION.
Senator Martin made strong plea for
the considera ton of this railroad bill. The
fact that it would provoke discussion did
not, he thought, prevent its consideration.
If such consideration could not be receiv-
ed in that way. he said. the matter would
be brought to the attention of the Sem
sideration of this bill. If it should be
found not to be meritorious. he said. the
Senate could act accordingly. He believed
this railroad to be important to the welfare
of this city, and while it might be that a
few private interest would be injured they
must, as In other cases, give way for the
public.
Senator Burrows again said he thought
the request not to include the railroad bill
in the agreement was entirely reasonable.
Unless that was done. he said, he would be
Obliged to object to the unanimous consent
agreement.
senator Gallinger stated that he did not
feel authorized to make such an agreement
without consulting his committee.
He said that in the case of all the rail-
roads constructed in the city there had
been objection. He said that the people
on Pennsylvania avenue had objected to
a railroad there, declaring that it would
destroy the value of their property, and on
that account the building of that railroad
had been held up two years.
Under Senator Burrows objection the
matter went over. 1t is thought likely that
some time this afternoon some agreement
will be reached by which District legislation
can be considered by the Senate.
Distribution of Documents.
At the request of Mr.. Platt On. W the
Senate today took up for consideration the
bill amending the law governing the dis
tribution of public documents, but upon OBJ
lection by Mr. Spooner. who said he de-
sired to examine the meaure. 1t was tenn
Horarily laid aside.
Mr.. Spooner later withdrew his objection
to the printing bill and IT was passed 1t
regulates the distribution OF private bills
In Congress. < 800
In connection with the consideration of
the bill granting a pension to the families
of the members of the Indian police who
were killed In 1890 in the capture of Sitting
Bull, Mr.. Tillman n ade the claim that the
Indian police are on the same footing as
the Philippine constabulary. He said that
he had made an effort to get q pension for