The Lexington dispatch. [volume] (Lexington, South Carolina) 1870-1917, 1884-04-09
Washington Letter.
From Our Regular Correspondent
April 5th. 1854.

and briefly discussed was a resolution
directing the committee on Public
Health to Investigate the adulteration
of food, drink and drugs, which is
affecting so deleteriously the health
of people in this country. The
inquiry was proposed for the purpose
of ascertaiping TO what extent these
poisonous compounds prevailed, and
whether any legislation to prevent
them in future vas necessary. Teas,
Olemargaripe and the new commodity
that the manufacturer calls creamerine
we're the principal items talked
about. Representative Parker said
it had been shown within a few days
by examinations in the State Of New
York, that the workmen engaged 10
the manufacture of these substances
were so affected by the acids. used
for deoderizipg the filthy materials
made into what they call dairy pro-
ducts that their nails fell from their
hands and their teeth from their
mouths. MIR. Browne of Ind, did
not think this investigation was
within the province Of Congress.
Mr.. Wait of Conn, contended that
action by congress would be more
effective than disconnected legislation
by the various States. Hon. S. S.
Cox complained that Copgres was
getting omniverous; it was taking in
everything. There would soon be a
committee to investigate how much
sand the grocer put in his sugar, and
how much water in his milk. He
objected to the perpetual interference
of Congress with local matters, and
to what he called, these microscopic
bills. brought in for the purpose Of
getting money out of the Treasury.
The House passed the bill with
drawing the trade dollar from circuls-
ton early in the week, and next pro-
ceeded to DISCUSS the Indian appro-
priation bill which calls for five
millions and is still the pending
measure.
Bills and more bills we're intro
duced again this week, although
eight thousand have already been
presented since the opening of the
session, and Eve hundred are await
ing the attention of the House. 1t is
probable that Congress will adjourn
in June, and most of the House
committees have come to the conclu-
sion that it will be useless to report
any more measures, however impor-
tant, as there will be no chance ct
their being reached during this
session.
This week again the Senate has
wrestled with the Educational bill,
involving Federal aid to common
schools. Senator Coke delivered an
argument against the measure, hold
ing it to be independent and un-
constitutional, citing authorities to
show the Government has no right to
raise money by taxes for such dispo-
sal as the bill provides. Senators
George, Beck, Garland, and Lamar
discussed points raised by Senator
Coke, and Senator Blair, the father
of the measure, spoke briefly, taking
time, however, to hurl at the Ken
lucky Senator, Mr.. Beck, the declara-
ton that there was no question OF
the superiority OF woman among all
races. The New Hampshire Senator
had been twitted by Senator Beck,
for his advocacy of the sixteenth
amendment, recently reported from
Mr.. Blair's committee. The latter is
now confident of the passage Of his
long cherished school bill.
Among some rather unimportant
measures the Senate passed a bill to
improve coinage. 1t provides for a
more perfect regulation Of the relative
value of the minor coins, and their
Improvement as to metal, devices
and Inscriptions.
The Educational question was put
aside the other day in order that
Senator Plat, who is not addicted 10
long or frequent speeches, might
dwell upon the necessity of making
the Patent Office a separate and
independent Department. He read
statistics showing the value to the
country of inventive genius and
urged that more room and q larger
force we're needed to properly per.
form the increasing work. The Con-
necticut Senator did not have compli-
mentary attention from other Sen
ators during his argument. Scarcely
three of his political bretheren oc-
cupied their seats at any one time,
while the dozen or 80 Senators on
the Democratic side we're gariously
employed. Senator Salisbury pro-
menaded the floor in real OF the
desks. Senator Gerland reclined
full length on q sofa. Senator
Hampton read q newspaper, while