Daily globe., 1879-05-17
House of Representatives.
THE TRAFFIC IN ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS,


the political clauses, the Senate adjourned.
House of Representatives.
THE TRAFFIC IN ALCOHOLIC LIQUORS.
WASHINGTON, May 16-A resolution was re-
ported from the committee on rules by Mr..
Frye for the appointment of a standing COM
mittee to which will be referred all bills, reso-
lutions and petitions affecting the traffic in
alcoholic liquors. An argument in opposition
was made by Fernando Wood on the ground
that under the proposed authority this COM
mittee may arrogate to itself powers which did
not belong either to it or to Congress and might,
under the plea of morality, undertake to inter
fere with the revenue of the government de-
rived from the tax on spirits. He had no OBJ
lection to having the whole subject referred to
a committee.
The resolution was advocated by Messrs.
Frye and Stephen, and was further opposed
by MIR. Reagan on the ground of unconstitu-
tionality.
Mr. Garfield advocated the resolution dispos.
ing of the constitutional objections by saying
Congress had exclusive Jurisdiction over the
District of Columbia where there were a
thousand rum holes open under the shadow of
the capitol and over territory with an area
as large Europe. Congress had also con-
stitutional control of the question in relation
to the duty on imported liquors and to the in
ternal tax on distilled spirits. He admitted
Congress might not undertake to regulate
morals but it was fair matter for considera-
tion whether morals light not regulate Con-
gress in levying taxes.
The resolution was also advocated by Mr..
Monroe and opposed by MIR. Blount.
MIR. Lapham said this movement was
gineered by a class of people who are eternally
wanting to regulate other people.
Mr.. Knott also spoke against the measure
not only unnecessary but as making mis-
chievous precedent which might be followed by
other sumptuary laws.
The final argument in favor of the resolution
demand vote by ayes and nays, SO as to have
the members on record on this subject.
A motion to lay the resolution on the table
was made by Mr.. Blount and the motion was
rejected, yeas "a, nays 1923: All of the atfirma-
tive votes came from the Democratic side,
the Republicans, all the Greenbackers
and many Democrats voting no. The
resolution was then agreed to.
THE SILVER BILL.
Mr.. Warner moved to dispense with the
morning hour. Rejected, 113 to 81, not the
necessary two thirds in the affirmative.
FUNDS FOR THE LETTER CARRIERS.
MIR. Canuo1 from the committee on appro-
priations reported bill making additional
appropriations for the service Of the post
Office department for the fiscal year ending
June 80, 1879, and June 30, 1880. Ordered
printed and recommitted. The bill appro-
PIRATES $l3l, 900 for payment of letter carriers
for the fiscal year ending June 80, 1880, and
$25,000 for additional salary Of letter carriers
1t provides in cities of less than rs, 900 inhabit
ants the salary Of letter carriers shall be
$500, and in cities of more than $4,000 the
letter carriers shall be divided into two classes,
one to receive 5000 and the other $500 per
annum. 1t also authorizes the employment
Of lot orrio oStS Of hon,
10000 inhabitants Where free delivery is now
established it shall not be affected thereby.
COMMITTEE REPORTS.
The Speaker then proceeded to call committees
for reports Of private nature.
Mr.. Wright, from the select committee on the
causes of the present depression in labor, re-
ported on resolution for n further appropria-
tion of $4,000 fer that committee
Mr.. Conger made the point of order that this
was not private business, unless it was to defray
private expenses OF the committee on an e1cur-
sion. If the gentleman would say that was the
object, he, Conger, would withdraw the point.
Laughter.
MIR. Wright expostulated with Conger, say
ing that the gentleman had promised not to OBJ
ject. .....s -..--
Mr.. White-Is this asked for so as to take the
committee to California?
Mr. Wright do not stan1 here to be inter
rogated. Laughter.
The point of order was not withdrawn, and
was sustained by the Speaker.
Mr.. eJones, efrom the committee postof-
fees and post roads, reported adversely upon
the bill restoring the franklng privilege.
The point of order being made that it was a
public bill, the report was not admitted.
CONTAGIOUS CATTLE DISEASES.
The morning hour having expired, Mr.. Hatch,
from the committee on agriculture, reported
the bill to prevent the spread of contagious
diseases among cattle, ard it was made the sDe-
cial order for Tuesday next.
On motion Of Mr.. Young (Tenn.) Thursday
next was set apart for the consideration of the
bill to prevent the introduction of contagious
| or infectious diseases into the United States.
Mr.. White moved that when the House ad-
| journed, it be to meet Monday next; rejected
| yeas, 81; nays, l22.
THE SILVER BILL.
| The House then resumed the consideration OF
the Warner silver bill, the pending section be-
| ing the third which prov ides that any owner of
silver bullion may deposit the same to be formed
! into bars or standard dollars for his benefit.
| The pending amendment was one offered by
! Mr.. Mills, authorizing the secretary of the
treasury to purchase without limit all silver
bullion trade dollars and foreign silver coin that
| may be offered for sale at the market value OF
silver, and such purchases shall be continued
as long as 4l2I grains of standard silver can
| be obtained for dollar in legal tender
treasury notes. All such purchases shall be
raid for with new issue of legal tender
| treasury notes, and all holders of silver coins
of the United States may present the same il
sums of not less than 500, and receive therefo
| legal tender treasury notes at par for the same
| and all silver coins of the United States shall
be receivable in payment of all government
dues, and for all debts, public and private, anc
the secretary of the treasury is directed to hav
the silver bullion trade dollar and silver coir
coined into American silver coin fast az
practicable, and apply all silver coin of TIL
United States that may come into the treasur.
to the payment of the principal and interest o
the public debt before using any of the golt
or treasury notes of the government for tina
! purpose
Mir. Mills argued in favor of the amendment
which was opposed by Mr.. Caswell.
Mr.. O.. Turner, favored the amendment. Th
people had looked in vain to the Republican
party for financial relief, and they now looked
to the Democratic party for that relief. LIE
the issue be made. Let the bill be passed, an.
if the President sees fit let him veto it, but lie
Congress discharge its duty on the subject.
MI. Mitchell opposed the bill The peopl
demanded that Congress should pass the ap
preparation bills and adjourn, and when Con
gress did that it would relieve law laden an
tramp ridden people of further excitement.
Mr.. Warner said this bill is simply to amen,
the revised statutes as to place silver bac
to where it stood under the laws from 1892 t
1878. Nothing else is proposed in this bill
Nothing elseis aimed at. The purpose is t
remonetize silver, and we hope that will be nd
hered to.
Mr.. Wells amendment was then rejected
yeas SO, nays 155.
The next amendment was one offered by Nj