The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1879-05-27
xLvIcoNGREss-1sT SESSION
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, May 26.
The Senate took up the bill providing for
the exchange. OF subsidiary COINS for lawful
money and making such coins legal tender in
sums not exceeding $50. Mr.. Edmunds spoke
against the bill.
The Senate proceeded to consider the bill
authorizing the employment OF militia and
land and naval forces in certain cases, and to
repeal the election laws.
Mr.. Mcdonald claimed that states have an
absolute right to prescribe machinery for con-
Quoting elections. No power for this purpose
was delegated to the general government. The
control of the Southern states was passing from
the Republicans and since that they have as
sumed the powers OF interfering in elections
for their own advantage.
At this point in Mr.. McDonald's remarks a
message was received from the House an
nouncing the passage of the Warner silver bill
ate amendments to the legislative appropria-
ton bill, and asking the concurrence of the
Senate. The bill first named was temporarily
laid on the table.
Mr.. Edmunds said he intended to speak on
the subject when it again came up.
The legislative appropriation bill was signed
and will now go to the President
Senate proceeded to the consideration of
the bill relative to the transportation of ami
mails.
Discussion ensued in which Mr.. Mcpherson
explained and advocated the BILL and Mr..
uldAOy VI lCAdS OppOStu ldSG CLAUSE
izing the commissioner of agriculture to ap-
point an inspector at each port from which
live stock and dressed animals are exported
who shall inspect all animals offered for export
and if found in good health give the owners
or shippers a certificate to that and which
also provides that the commissioner of agricul-
ture may fix the fees for the inspection to be
paid by the owner or shipper. AS represen-
tative of great cattle producing state he
protested against this direct tax on the export
of CATTLE
Mr.. Mcpherson said he had been asked by a
committee of cattle exporters in New York
and Jersey City whence so per cent of all the
exports of cattle are made, to come to Washing.
ton and to secure the appointment of a compe-
tent inspector to examine cattle and give a
necessary to give confidence abroad in the
health of the cattle exported. The commits
sioner of agriculture did appoint such inspector
at New York, but was not asked to appoint
one at Philadelphia, and the result was a loss
to Philadelphia shippers of an amount large
enough to cover the expenditures of all the
inspectors who will be appointed under this
act. The clause was introduced in the bill be
cause it was thought necessary by people
engaged in exporting cattle II the particular
shipper does not want his cattle inspected he
need not apply.
Maxey-It says that the officer "shall in.
spect."
Mr.. Mcpherson replied there was nothing
III tue ClduSe pfoHlpltilS any ouo from snip
ping without a certificate. He could ship even
if certificate were refused.
Mr.. Voorhees, moved to strike out the clause
although he supported the bill in the main
The inspectors would have too much power
They could ruin shipper by Withholding GER
tifcates and could receive brides for giving
certificates for diseased cattle.
Mr.. Mcpherson while he believed the clause
objected to should be retained, would not in
sist upon it as the principal object of the bill
was to prevent cruelty to animals in transi
and guard against danger to public health from
consumption of meat of exhausted and ill-fet
animals.
Without action the Senate went into execu
| tive session, and soon after adjourned.