Democratic Sentinel, Volume 11, Number 48, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 23 December 1887 — WASHINGTON. [ARTICLE]

WASHINGTON.

"Working* of the Interstate Commerce law—Amendments Proposed by Mr. Cullom. Restrict!*? Immigration—Surplus Bis* tribution—Senator Farwell’s Banking Bill. I Washington telegram.] Senator Cullom says that he intends .to introduoe a bill at the first opportunity amending the interstate oommerce law in eome important particulars. I asked him what he thought about the report of the -commission. “1 have read it carefully,” he replied, “and in the main its findings are sound. I think the commission has shown itself to be more capable than the public anticipated it would be when it was first organized. The decisions of the Commissioners have been about as near right as the decisions of courts ordinarily are, and I am satisfied that they are more in the interest of the people than they would be if the question involved in them had been decided by ordinary judicial tribunals, for the reason that the Commissioners are not restricted by rules of evidence from getting at the truth.” “Then you are satisfied with the results -of the law as far as it has gone?” “Yes, the value of the Commission has been demonstrated beyond controversy, as well as the importance of the law, and its are not so great as I anticipated. It was merely an experiment, bnt, though I am an interested observer, I judge that it has been generally satisfactory. I knew it was not a perfect bill, and had a great many misgivings when it passed, bnt it has run easier and been much more effective than I anticipated, which, it is only fair to say, was largely due to the industry of the Commission and the common-sense appli--cation of its provisions. It has not proved •oppressive, bnt has been as beneficial t« the railway companies as to the public.”

REGULATING IMMIGRATION. There seems to be a very strong sentiment in favor of restricting immigration, and half a dozen or more bills have been introduced into the Senate for that purpose, nearly all of them being in the line as that proposed by Senator Palmer. Among others was one from Mr. Farwell, -of Illinois, which provides that every immigrant coming to the United States, before he is allowed to land, shall produce a •certificate of good character from Cie United States Consul of the district from -which he comes, as evidence to show that he is capable of self-support It looks -very much as if some snch bill would become a law at this session, and it is certain to be passed by the Senate, although it will meet with greater opposition in the House. MB. FABWELL’S BANK BILL Mr. Farwell has introduced a bill, which has already been published and widely commented on, authorizing national banks to deposit railway, State and municipal bonds instead of United States bonds to secure their circulation. Speaking of this bill and the criticism upon it, Mr.~ Farwell < said that he believed it proposed the only ■“method by which the country can have a circulating medium after the payment of the public debt, and that the safeguards thrown around the bill are unquestionably sufficient, because the committee to pass upon the bonds furnished as a security for • circulation will consist of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Treasurer of the United states and the Comptroller of the Currency." Mr. Farwell has also introduced a bill to remove the tax on oleomargarine and to require the manufacturers of that article to place upon every package a label showing its character. Mr. Farwell introduced another bill to repeal the tax upon domestic and the duty upon imported tobacco; also to repeal the duty on sugar and give a bounty of 1-5 to 2-5 cents per pound on cane and beet sugar manufactured in the United States. Another bill introduced by Mr. Farwell provides for the recalling and recoiniDg of the standard silver dollar into a coin containing 541 grains. The holders of silver bullion may have it coined on the same terms that gold bullion is now coined. TO DISTRIBUTE THE SURPLUS. Senator Aldrich, of Rhode Island, has introduced a very important financial measure, which is the result of several conferences between the Secretary of the Treasury and himself. This bill is intended to distribute the surplus in the Treasury, and gives the Secretary absolute authority to expend the surplus both by the purchase of United States bonds at market rates and by the anticipation of interest on bonds at ■any time. With snch authority as this the Secretary of the Treasury would be able to relieve any stringency in the financial market by opening the doors of the cash-room. EUGENE HIGGINS WILL GO. Mr. Fngene Higgins, chief of the appointment division, says that the report that he will shortly retire from the public service is true. He will shortly tender his resignation to Secretary Fairchild, but has mot as yet fixed upon the exact date. He wanted it distinctly understood, however, that his retirement was entirely voluntary, and was in no way due to the efforts of people who have shown so mnch dissatisfaction at his retention in office. The principal reason for the proposed step, Mr. Higgins said, was his desire to better his condition in life by going into business for himself. W hile not desiring to pose as a martyr, it was a fact that he retained his present office at a personal sacrifice much longer than he intended. Another reason why he had not resigned Before was that he was being assailed on mil Bides, and he coold not bring himself to under fire. All the statements made by Mr. Higgins ms to the voluntary nature of his retirement mre confirmed by those officials who are in m position to know, and it was added that <he Secretary is entirely satisfied with his management of the appointment division, mnd has never had cause to regret his appointment.