Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1906-02-14

Senators Patterson in opposition and
Gallagher and Perkins in support.
Senator Patterson criticised the pro
vision for subventiOn TO the Oceanic
Steamship company, saying that the
concern was now under contract TO.
carry the mails at good compensation
and that the request for a subsidy
amounted TO demand for more
money on its contract. Senators
Gallagher and Perkins replied that
the company was losing money.
Washington, D. c., Feb. 3.-Various
phases of the railroad rate question
were thrashed over in the house. Mr..
CLAYTON of Alabama said the legisla-
ton in principle was as old as the
common law Mr.. Henry of Texas
showed how it was supported by the
constitution and the courts. Mr..
Esch of Wisconsin explained how the
bill was broad enough to include the
| regulation of express companies. Mr.
Kennedy of Ohio presented an argu-
ment to contradict the claim that the
control of railways was interference
with private property. Mr. Crum-
packer of Indiana believed economic
conditions would still control in rate
matters, as they should. notwithstand-
ing the granted authority in the bill,
which he approved. Mr.. Ellis OF
Missouri saw in the bill what he re-
garded as a conservative move in the
right direction. Mr.. Hogg of Colorado
opposed granting executive and judi
cial functions to the same body. Mr..
Floyd of Missouri said 1t was a saw
ing OF the country from socialism and
radicalism rather than a step in that
direction. Mr.. Page OF North Carolina
indorsed the bill in all its features.
Washington, Feb. 5.-The senate
was treated to a distinct sensation
by Senator Patterson, democrat OF
Colorado, who followed up his retire
ment of Saturday from the democratic
caucus by introducing resolution in
effect declaring the action of the eau
Gus 30 have been contrary to the
constitution of the United States.
Apparently the senator's action was
unexpected on the part of the major
| ity of the senators and they listened
attentively as the reading of the long
preamble progressed, evidently not a
little concerned as to what should
come next. Senator Patterson made
no effort to secure the privilege of
discussing the resolution. 1t is eX-
pected that the democrats generally
will resist the adoption of the resolu-
, ton and that republicans VIII sustain
! Senator Patterson's contentious. Aside
= from the personal interest in Sena-
tor Patterson's political fortunes the
| resolution raises a new question as to-
the rights of senators generally so that
there is much scope for animated dis
cussion and a wide margin for differ
! ence of opinion. In all probability
several days will elapse before the
question is settled. Teller spoke in
opposition to the shipping bill.
Mr. Littlefeld of Maine opened
, the day with a whirlwind speech in
which he pointed out the drastic and
far reaching effect of the provisions:
| of the rate bill. The committee, he
! said. had gone further than the pres
| ident and much further than he was
willing to go. He would not vote for
| the bill. Mr. Grosevnor of Ohio
ridic,,lad Tho nopulor 1an,opd For tbe.
legislation, picked flaws in the con
struction of the bill, complained be-
cause no amendments were to be al
| lowed, and concluded with the state
ment that he should do his best to get
the bill out of the house at the earliest
possible moment. Ten other speeches
werc made, all of them by members
who will vote for the bill, but some of
whom would like an opportunity to.
amend the measure. Mr.. Gains of
Tennessee has an anti-p5ss amend
ment which he will bring forward.
Washington, Feb. 6.-Having fixed
the end of the general debate on the
rate bill, the recognition of the chair
was passed around at a lively rate in
the house. Seventeen speeches were
made, all for the measure. Railroads
came in for an unusual amount of
criticism. Mr.. Gillespie of Texas ex-
pressed his dissatisfaction with the
reply TO his resolution limiting at
combination between the Pennsyl-
vania and other railroads. He will adj
dress a request to the president to
have the interstate commerce commits
sion make a more thorough investi-
CATION.
The senate did not have an oppor-
tunity to hear the discussion of Sena-
tor Patterson's resolution on the &C
ton of the democratic caucus, but
gave the entire day to revival of the
prerogatives of the senate in the mat
ter Of framing treaties. The question
was raised by Senator Bacon in a.
speech on his resolution requesting
information concerning the Algeciras
conference He talked for almost
three hours and was followed by Sen
ator Spooner. Both speeches were
interspersed with debate largely he