The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1906-02-06

Washington, February 1.-The
House today called for the estimate
cf cotton yet 10 be sinned, which the
director of the census has compiled,
but which he has no authority to make
public until March. This action pre-
cipitated a lively discussion, but there
was nc opposition to the resolution on
its passage.
The discussion of the railroad rate
bill was continued and the House
agreed to meet at II o'clock hereafter
until the debate is ended. The faa-
ture today was the lengthy speech of
Mr.. Sibley, of Pennsylvania, who ar
raigned tae legislation and announced
unalterable opposition to the bill.
When he charged that the legisia-
ton was socialistic and a step to-
wards government ownership, and the
dream of Bryan and Hearst, Mr.. James,
of Kentucky, asked what the reason
was for the right-about-face of the
Republican party in the direction of
the Bryan leadership. 81 will graceful
ly place the responsibility on my col
leagues of broader shoulders" retort-
ed Mr.. Sibley.
In presenting a privileged resolu-
ton asking for the census bureau esii-
mate of cotton yet to be ginned, MIR.
Crumpacker Qnd.) elected keen inter-
est. The resolution was introduced
.Aome time g by Mr.. Sims (Tenn.)
Mr.. Crumpacker explained that the
director of the census had collected
the information sought at the same
time the last semi-monthly inquiry was
made as to the quantity of cotton &C
tually ginned up to January Is. 1t was
secured then to W expenses as The
inquiry in question was not required
by law until the middle of March. The
director had said the information was
not complete.
Mr.. Lowering (Mass.) wanted the res
olution amended so that the informa-
- ton should be made public in exactly
the same manner as other statistics
and not sen to the House.
Mr.. Sims said but three men knew
the result Of the inquiry and it was
unfair to them to keep it secret. Mr..
Ellerbe IS. c. said a rumor was cur
rent hat the testimony had already
"leaked."
Opposition t the resolution was
made by Mr.. Adams (Pa.) and also
by Mr.. Payne IN. ", who declared
he was heartily sick and tired of con-
slant efforts to force information q
aid in gambling.
Mr.. Coverings amendment was rul-
ed out of order, and the resolution
agreed to without objection.
Mr.. Shackleford (Mo.) recounted
three defeats for the Democratic par
ty as a result of the contributions
against it by the "McCalls, McCurdys
and Hydes, and others Of their class >
Support to the bill was pledged BY
Mr.. Shackleford (Mo.), who united
with Mr.. Lamar (Fla.) last session in
a report on the Hearst bill. However
Mr.. Shackleford will at the propel
time move to include in the bill con-
troll of express companies and juris'
diction to regulate the long and shor'
haul.
Characterizing the new policy bein:
inaugurated as political rate making
and business by law suit" Mr.. Sible.
(Pa.) said it had received the high Off
cial endorsement of Bryan and Hearst
as a distinct advance towards govern
ment ownership. Why should the gov
eminent not also fix the price Of bread
he asked.
In Washington, he said, we are no
without striking example of a gov
, eminent engaged in manufacture:
and business % are we unfamil1a
with the abuses which seem to be il
; separable therefrom.
Mr.. Sib1ey dictated a measure [
, cure the rebate evil. This was t
:. make rate determinations a crime
with the favored shipper a party to tn
! crime. with penalties on both sides c
| from S1O,O 0 TO 500, 900 fine, and from
, two to ten years Imprisonment TO
Zach official or employee having guilt
knowledge. The interstate commerc
commission, he said, had been dc
: clared In error by the supreme cour
: in nine put of every ten cases an
the next step then was governmen
e ownership.
, Mr.. Sibley did not regard b biz a
worse measure than the Esch-Town
sent bill. THAT would be impossible,
he added.
Referring TO the Panama canal, NJ
;, Sibley said 10 per cent OF the estiEai
! ed cost of the Nicaragua canal airead
had been spent. He said he believe
= there has been an honest ADMINISTERS
!. ton of affairs, but the work has nc
!. progressed. yet neither men nor II
gels could have done much more wit