The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-26
Text Of MIR. Edmunds,s Bin.
To the Western Associated Press.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 24--In the Senate, to-day,
Mr. Edmunds init oduced the following bill:
Belt enacted etc, that If any person shall
within the United States or within any district
State or Territory thereof make, buy, sell, man
ufacture or compound any metallina, nitroleum,
neptune powder, oriental. powder. giant powder,
Hercules powder selinita powder, thunderbolt
powder, dynamite, or other nitro-explosive COM
pound, or shall make buy, sell, manufacture or
compound any ballastite, burnio powder, colonia
powder, detonite, fulgarite, any other chic
| rate explosive compound, with intent that any
such nitro or chlorate explosive compounds shall
be used at any place within the United States or
In any foreign country without the jurisdiction
Of the United States, for the injury or destruc-
ton of public or private property, for the in
jury or any person or persons, either In the
United States or in any such foreign country,
for the purpose of assassination, or murder, or
destruction of human life, either in the United
States or in any such foreign country, or, know
ing that such nitro or chlorate compounds are
intended to be used by any other person or per-
sons for any of the purposes hereinbefore
named in this section, shall be deemed guilty of
felony, and upon conviction in any circuit or
district court in the United States, shall be
punished by Imprisonment in the penitentiary
for a term not less than - nor more than -
years. at the discretion Of the court and by a
fine of not less than 8, or both, at the discre
ton of the court; and all persons aiding, abet-
ting or in any wise assisting in the manufacture
compromising, buying or selling of any of the
nitro or chlorate compounds mentioned in this
section, either.by furnishing materials or ingre
dents, assisting by skill or labor or by acting
as agents for principal, or in any manner aid
ing as accessories before the fact, knowing that
any such nitro or chlorate explosive compounds
are intended to be used by a principal, or any
other person or persons, for any of the purposes
mentioned In this section, shall be deemed prin-
cipals, and may be tried convicted and punished
in the same manner and to the same extent as
such principal or principals.
Sec. 2. Every person who transports, or de-
hvers or causes to be delivered, any of the nitro
or chlorate explosive compounds mentioned in
the first section of this act on board any vessel,
railroad car, or vehicle whatever employed in
carrying passengers by land or water between
any place in the United States and place in
any foreign country or between a place in one
State, Territory or district of the United States
and a place in any other State, Territory or dis
trict thereof, or at any depot, wharf, or ware
house in the United States used for the purpose
of receiving, discharging, or storing freight,
knowing that the same are intended
purpose prohibited in this act shall be
deemed guilty of misdemeaner, and upon
conviction shall be punished bya fine of not
more than s. nor less than s. and
every master Of o vessel. freight superintendent,
or other officer of a railroad authorized to re-
ceive freight, and every owner of any other vehi
Gle mentioned ia this section, and every person
having direct charge and control of o depot,
wharf, or warehouse, Sucn as IS contemplated by
this section, who receives any of the nitro or
chlorate explosive articles enumerated in the
first section of this act for transportation or for
delivery, knowing the same are to be used or in
tended to beused by any person or persons for any
of the purposes prohibited by the first section Of
this act, shall be deemed guilty
Of rnisdeamenor, and upon conviction
shall be punished by a fine of not more than
$ nor less than -. and, on conviction,
it shall be competent for the court in its discre
TO 1Arf AFT fhn. mar faI oil
be imprisoned until the fine is paid.
Sec. 3. All prosecutions under this act shall
be byindictment, and it is hereby made the duty
of all judges of circuit and district courts Of
the United States to bring it's provisions to the
special notice of its grand j1ries, and to enjoin
upon such juries the Importance of their making
full and careful inquiry into any violations
OF its provisions which may properly be brought
or may come to their notice.
Sec. a. Prosecutions under this act shall be
conducted by the district attorneys of the United
States for the district in which the offense is
committed and the accused party indicted: but
in prosecutions under the first section, where
che Attorney general deems the case of special
Importance, he may, under direction Of the
President, retain such additional special counsel
as shall be necessary and essential to the inter
ests of the government.
q In introducing the bill, Mr.. Edmunds said 1t
was mere draft drawn at his request by an
other, but although imperfect, he submitted it
III ofuef tAdl IL may De reIeffeO TO Inc committee
on the judiciary for early consideration
and perfection. 1t may, he added, raise
a question between the right of the United
States and the duties Of separate States, bat the
committee would take the whole subject into
consideration, and would, he hoped put the bill
in such shape that, so far as the United States
government had power, it would be able to exer-
else it in the direction indicated by the the bill
The bill was referred to the committee on ,ju-
dietary.