Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1906-02-02
ALASKA TO Be GRANTED A DELEGATE.
Railroad Rates Talk in House,
Democratic Caucus Saturday
on San Domingo Treaty.
IN THE HOUSE.

Washington, Feb. 1.-The House to-
day called for the estimate OF cotton
yet to be ginned, which the director Of
the census has compiled, but which
he has no authority to make public I'M
til March. This action precipitated a
lively discussion in which petulance
was expressed that the House should
participate in furnishing information
for the benefit of spectators. On the
other hand, there were numerous men,
bers who stated that the substantial
interest of growers, spinners and mer-
chants, made it Imperative that such
information should be allowed to be
bottled up. There was no opposition to
the resolution on its passage.
The discussion of the railroad rate
bill was taken up and prosecuted with
vigor throughout the day. So many
speakers have come to the front on
this measure that the House agreed to
meet at IL o'clock hereafter until the
debate is ended. The feature of the
debate today was the lengthy speech
Of Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania, who ar
raigned the legislation with arguments
of varied character, all of which tend
ed to give his reasons for being unal-
terably opposed to the bill.
When he charged that the legisla-
ton was SOcialistic in its nature and
was q step towards government owner
ship ana 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.
Il will gracefully place the RESPONSE
bility on my colleagues of broad Shout
ders," retorted Mr.. Sibley.
Mr.. Sibley said he would advocate a
larger salary for the members of the
Interstate commerce commission and
would content himself with voting
against the bill.
Mr.. Knapp of New York spoke for
the measure and Mr.. Shackleford OF
Missouri, who advocated the Hearst
bill last year, gave his reasons for sup
porting the present bill. A speech by
Mr.. Heflin of Alabama, also favoring
the bill. concluded the days debate.
The House adjourned at 5 o'clock to
meet at II tomorrow.
Iii presenting a privileged resolution
asking for the census bureau estimate
of cotton yet TO be ginned Crumpacker,
Ind. elected the keen interest of MEM
berS when the House met today. The
resolution was introduced sometime
ago by Simms, Tenn. Crumpacker as
cha irman of the census committee said
his committee seconded the adoption
of the resolution amended by asking
the information, eff not Incompatible
with the public interest"
Cru;npacker explained that the di-
rector OF the census had collected his
information sought at the same time
the last semi monthly inquiry was
! made as to the quantity Of cotton
actually ginned up to Jan. 16. 1t was
| secured at that time to save expenses
as the inquiry in question was not re-
quired by law until the middle of
March. For this reason the director
had said the information was not q
complete estimate of cotton yet to be
Ginned. Nevertheless the director,
yielding to the great clamor for the
information had no objection to It's
being made public However, he has
no authority to take the initiative in
the matter. He was heartily sorry he
| ldu even SdlhCiCu the lilloTItldtlOu
would never do it again.
| Lowering. Mass. wanted the resolu-
ton amended so that the information
when given out should be made pub
lie in exactly the same manner as
other statistics and not sent to the
House.
| After some debate Coverings
amendment was ruled out of order and
the resolution agreed to without OBJ
lection.
The resolution Of Burton, Ohio. look
ing to the preservation of Niagara
Falls was agreed to without discus
sion.
Before proceeding to the discussion
of the rate bill the House agreed to
the suggestion of Hepburn to meet al
II o'clock each day during the gener-
al debate on this BILL
Knapp. N. Y. opened the discussion
l sneaking for the bill.
Knapp took the ground that the
present legislation was no new depart.
IRE. 1t was rather remedial, correct
ing the legislative efforts of 20 year,
900. He believed the direct power +,