New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1884-03-15
THE FOOT AND MOUTH DISEASE.
SENATOR PLUMB'S APPROPRIATION OPPOSED On
CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS.
Try TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNEl

SENATOR PLUMB'S APPROPRIATION OPPOSED ON
CONSTITUTIONAL GROUNDS.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO THE rHBUNEl
WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE Senate devoted
tle greater part Of the day to the discussion OF
Mr. Plumbs Joint resolution appropriating $4,000
for the eradication of the foot and mouth disease IN
Kansas. Among those taking part in the debate
were Messrs Plumb. sherman, Coke Hawley Car
land. Butler Ingalls, Vest, Miller of New-York, and
Naxey. The burden of the argument made by the
Democrats was the unoOnstitutonality
of tbe measure. Mr.. Garland,
alone among the Democrats, contended
that II was a case where the National Government
was justified in interfering. In support OF his posi-
tion he cited number of cases, from 1913 down TO
the present period where Congress had approprl-
eed money for purposes not specially indicated By
the Constitution. but which it was clearly author
lied TO appropriate under the public welfare
clause" Ii the doctrine of State rights was to pre-
vail 10 the extent of preventing Congress from Yot-
ing money for the public good, or relieving distress
zoo large and widespread for States to cope with,
then the SUNS voted for the sufferers from the Ono
floods or those spent in entertaining foreign guests
at Yorktown or those ii was proposed to eXpend III
fitting out the Greedy relief party were clearly
voted in violation OF the Constitution.
Nothing was more amusing than TO see the effect
this speech produced among the Democrats present
The vias of their wrath were poured ont upon
the offending member IN quick succession by
1essrs. Coke, Maxey and Vest. They seemed
thuuderstruck at such hereses. Senator Coke had,
he confessed consulted the writings OF the fathers
of the Constitution, the pages of the Federaist,
the constitutions Of the different States and
other authorities equally high, but new
er, no, never had he expected to
hear such sentiments, such arguments, such
reasoning DrOpOunded by Democratic Senator.
Each Senator on the Democratic side by this time
had the Constitution his hand, and in the course
of the next hour the honorable Senator from
Arkansao as he was always referred to with freez-
ing politeness by his party friends. "caught it,"
One of his colleagues quoted Judge Story, another
"Cooley on the Constitution" still another read
decision of the Supreme Court which, he sheer
ingy remarked, ought to have some persuasive IN
fuence.
When Mr. ingalls, rose to oppose the resolution
attention was withdrawn TO some extent
from the unfortunate Garland. He said
that the disease not 50 widespread as
st was represented to be- At all events the State Of
without aid from the National Government: II was
q which he considered outside the jurisdiction
Of the Federal authority.
Mr. Williams, Of Kentucky, expressed gratlhca-
tiOn at hearing MT. Ingalls, give utterance TO such
continents lie thought his colleague had under
gone wonderful change OF mind within the last
thirteen years. When, three years ago
lie yentured to propose bill similar TO
the Pleuro-PncumOna bill passed by the
House the other day, the Senator from Kansas
J. came down on hun ike a thousand of bricks or
like company Of Kansas jayhawkers on horse
back" MIR ingalls, mildly TetOTted that philosO-
fhers sometimes divided people whonever changed
Their minds INTO two classes dead men aud fools.
lie was disposed to think he belonged TO neither
one nor the other. To few remarks Of an inquirng
fature addressed to him by MI. Dawes, Mr.. ingalls,
felt obliged to reply that he did not feel called
upon to illuminate the horizon Of the Senator from
Massachusetts,"
Throughout the discussion was spirited and, for
The Senate entertaining often, II is true, Mr.. Ed
,nunds was constrained 10 remind the speakers that
they must address their remarks to the Char, but
buch requests were either not needed or forgotten
the next minute. No decision was reached regard
ing the resolution. 1t is possible, however that 1T
viii either be defeated or consideration upon 1t DO