Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-24
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS /.
Extra Session.
The Senate.


WASHINGTON, May 2S.-The Senate took up
the bill making subsidiary coins exohangable
for lawful money of the United States and to
make such coins legal tender in sums up tc
$40. The committee amendment to substitute
$40 tor 800 was discussed.
The bill was supported by Senators Bayard
Booth, Ferry and Herman, and opposed by Ed
munds and Thurman.
CONTAGIOUS DISEASES.
The morning hour having expired, the bill
went over without action and the Senate took
up the contagious diseases bill.
Senator Jones, of Florida moved to substi
tute the words ANY merchant ship or vessel
for the words ANY vessel engaged in transpor.
tation of goods or PERSONS. The desultory
employment of some vessels trading with Flor.
ida ports could hardly be called transportation
of goods persons. Adopted.
Senator Morgan moved to amend SO that the
act should not remain in full force for more than
four years from its passage. This legislation
was experimental and shouldn't take the form
of establishing permanent system which it
might be difficult to get rid of if it proved I'm.
satisfactory. Adopted.
Senator White moved to strike out the
clause furnishing violation of the rules of
State health boards and rules of sanitary asso-
Citations" He should not support a bill allow
ing such associations to make criminal laws.
would substitute for the rules and regula-
tions made in pursuance Of this act for "rules
and regulations of the sanitary associations
Adopted. s+-
Senator White thereupon omitted reference
to sanitary appropriations In his amendments
and as thus modified it was rejected.
In Difference to the views of several Senators
Senator Harris moved to reduce the penalty
named in the bill from $5, 600 to $1,000. he
thought that sum large enough to effect the
desired object. Adopted.
A motion by Senator Teller to strike out the
clause making the fine lien upon the vessel
was rejected.
Senator Edmunds opposed the bill on con.
stitutional grounds, and thought that Senators
on the other side who supported it were incon-
sstent in arguing lately in favor of keeping
the federal power from interfering with States
violation of State law within federal jurisdic-
tion in another matter. In this case he
thought the State law should be dominant, boz
cause he believed Congress- had no
right to regulate health laws in the way pro-
posed by the bill. He did not think super
gated by the States to the federal government.
discussion ensued between Senator La
mar who cited the law of 1880 as precedent
for this bill, and Senator Edmunds, who de.
MED the analogy between the two.
Senator Blaine thought the general govern.
mont was authorized 10 eStaDllsu d uaIIonai
quarantine, and that it ought to exercise Its
power and protect the general health.
Senator Edmunds said such power had
been delegated to the governors, and If the
general government could interfere in health
regulations it could interfere with everything
else that goes on in State.
Senator Blaine said Congress has regulated
commerce between the States and even in the
boundaries of individual States in the interests
of health. ..
Senator Edmunds replied that this bill has
nothing to do with commerce except as pre-
text for it's enactment. 1t proposed TO regu.
late health laws; per Sc, under it man might
be punished for Its violation the moment hi
reached port.
After furth' remarks in support of the bill
by Senator Call it was reported back to thu
Senate and the amendments made in the com
mittee of the whole agreed to. 1t was theI
read third time and passed--ycas "a, nays IL
as follows: