Port Tobacco times, and Charles County advertiser. (Port Tobacco, Md.) 1845-1898, 1875-12-24
Congressional Notes.
SENATE

Congressional Notes.
SENATE
Thursday.-Mr. Howe, Rep, introduced
a bill to appoint a commission to investi
gate the subject of alcoholic traffic in rela
ton to revenue and taxation and its gen
eral economic, criminal, moral and scien
tiic aspects, in connection with pauper-
ism, crime, social vices, the public health
and general welfare; and also the practi-
cal results of license and prohibitory leg
islation for the prevention of intemper
ance. This certainly is wide field for
inquiry, and doubtless if the task is tho
roughly done, the statistics acquired
would be not only interesting, but start
ling. We suppose the purpose of the in
quiry is to lay the foundation for some
sort of prohibitory legislation, and our
private opinion is that Congress might as
we'll legislate for the moon or the stars.
All history shows that men will use slim
ulants, and that alcohol in some form or
other is the favorite. Experience of late
years also shows that prohibitory legisla-
ton is not only futile to accomplish any
good, but actually seems provocative of
evil results. We ourself, have seen in
Boston, where thare- 10 most rigorous
prohibitory law, more drunkenness and
dissipation of that sort than we ever saw
in any other city. In New Orleans, for
instance, where saloons are open all the
week and Sunday too, it is rare thing to
see drunken man on the street, and it is
a we'll known fact that in France, where
the people use wine instead of tea and
coffee, intemperance is almost unknown.
1t seems impossible to regulate the appe
titles of the people by legislation, hence
sumptuary laws have ever been not only
odious, but absolute failures. The recent
developments made during the trials of
the members Of the whiskey ring abund
antly show this. Here was law fixing
the tax on whiskey at 20 cents gallon.
vet it is notorious that millions of gallons
of whiskey were sold at prices which
proved conclusively that no tax had been
paid upon it. And so it will ever be
Whenever strong prohibitsry laws are
passed, whether in the way of high licenses
or otherwise, they will be violated. Man
fall of Adam to the present time, and we
are afraid he will continue so in spite OF
legislation. But still drunkness is a cry
ing evil, and We are glad to see any expe-
rimsnt for the sake oftrying to abate it
When our people abandon the fiery alco-
hol for the lighter drinks of the Germans
and French, or still better, for our own
healthy and delicious cider, then we may
hope to see them temperate people, but
hardly before that time we fear. But let
us come back to the Senate.
Mr.. Spencer, the carpet-bag Senator, in
troduced a resolution for the appointment
of committee to Investigate the mode Of
his election some two years ago. The res
olution was adopted and We suppose Mr..
Spencer will be duly whitewashcd
Mr.. Morton called up his resolution TO
appoint committee to investigate the re-
cent election in Mississippi and pressed its
passage. This was resisted by Mr.. Bayard
and Thurman. in very able and uuanswer,
able arguments, in which they showed
that the proposition was revolutionary
and unwarranted under the Constitution,
Mr.. Bayard's address producing at times
applause in the galleries, which was quick
ly suppressed. Mr.. Gordon. of Georgia,
expressing desire to speak, the resolu-
ton went over. After an Executive ses-
sion, the Senate adjourned.
Frday-Mr. Edmunds, Rep, introduce
ed a'resolution that the Senate proceed to
the election of President pro terpore on
the eth of January next. Referred to
Committee on Privileges and Elections.
The Mississippi resolution of Mr.. Merton
was called up and postponed until Mon
day, to which day the Senate then adj
journed.
Aonday.-The proceedings of this body
to-day were devoid of interest Mr..
Bsyard presented the creditials of r. H.
Mari, as Senator from Louisiana. These
credentials are signed by John McEnery,
as Governor, and the appointment is made
to fill the vacancy made by the withdraw
al of Mr.. Mcmillan. Mr.. Mari will now
be the contestant of the negro Pinchbaek.
Mr.. Edmunds, Rep, offered a resolution
declaring that Mr.. Ferry, Rep, of Michi-
gan, shall be President Of the Senate until
the 7th of January, and until fresh ap-
pointment shall be made Adopted.
Mr. Morton then called up his Mississip-
pi resolution, but as several Senators ex-
pressed desire to debate it, it was final
ly agreed that it should be postponed I'M
til after the holidays.
Mr.. Mcdonald, Dem, of Indiana, gave
notice that at the proper time he should
as substitute for those
"a rsla alton to States rights.
l1gISn Of some u rrsl u, IN
portant business the Senate at O'Clock adj
journed until Wednesday, January 5th.
HOUSE.
Friday.-The House was not in session
yesterday. To-day the only business of
interest was resolution offered by Mr..