Savannah morning news., 1886-05-25
ODIOUS 0LE0MARGARINE.
THE BILL TO TAN COMES TO
THE FRONT IN THE HOUSE.


congressman Show by Their Arguments
That They Know Which side Their
Political Bread is Buttered On-The
Fight for Precedent Previous to the
Debate.
WASHINGTON, May 24.--ln the House
today, after the call of the States, a
struggle for priority of consideration
arose between the special orders.
Mr.. Cobb, of Indiana, was upon his feet
demanding that the House should con-
slider the land forfeiture bill.
MIR. Hatch, OF Missouri, brought for
ward the "oleomargarine bin," with
motion to 90 into committee Of the whole
for it's discussion.
MIR. Miller, OF Texas, pressed the claims
OF the Banking and Currency Committee,
to whose business the day had been as
signed
Mr.. Bragg, of Wisconsin, asserted the
light of the Committee on Military Affairs
20 a portion Of the day, and Mr.. Cox, of
North Carolina, called up the report of
The Civil Service Reform Committee on
the Jetfersonylle levee matter.
This last named being a question of
privilege Mr.. Hatch raised against it the
stood by MIN, deciding by vote of 122 to
70 not to consider privileged business.
ANOTHER VICTORY.
MIR. Hatch then scored another victory,
and on his motion. by vote OF l40 to S4,
the House went into committee OF the
whole on the general revenue bills. The
frst measure OF this character on the cal
endar was the Morrison tariff bill, which
which was passed over without objection,
but contest was made over setting aside
the next revenue bill, il being the one to
reduce the number OF internal revenue
officers. The matter was submitted to
The House for Its determ and that
body decided by vote Of 1856 TO Sc, to pass
over the internal revenue bill. The CON-
mittee resumed its seseIOn and the oleO-
margarine bill was takeu up.
NEEDED BY DAIRYMEN,
Mr.. Scott, of Pennsylvania, approved
the bill. Some legislation OF this charac-
ter was absolutely necessary, if one of the
chiet industries OF the country was to be
spared from the doom which now threat
ened it. The bill did no Injustice to manu-
facturers Of imitation butter. 1t simply
raised the farmer to the plane Of fair and
honest competition. Discussing the con-
sttutiOnal features of the measure, he
argued that under the general welfare
clause OF the constitution il was perfectly
competent and proper for Congress to
legIslate upon the subject,
Mr.. Hopkins said the manufacture OF
bogus butter was q destructive to public
morals as the counterfeiting Of money,
and he hoped that Congress would lay
heavy hand on this greatest OF all modern
deceptiOns. lie trusted that before the
sun went down tomorrow the glad news
would be sent to tbe farmers and dairy
men in All parts OF the country that this
bill had been passed by the House.
Mr.. HAMMOND's LEGAL OBJECTION.
Mr. Hammond argued that the bill, as
measure to suppress the manufacture Of
OleOmargarine, was unconstitutional. II
was protection run mad. 1t was a bill to
pOpuiarize the internal revenue system.
Every one would be hereafter coming to
Congress asking for protc elton from COM
petition. The whole time Of Congress
would then be taken up in an attempt to
eaten up with American rascality, thing
that was impossible. Farmers were more
interested in retaining the American form
Of government in its purity than in sup
pressing the manufacture OF Oleomar-
garine.
SUPPRESSION INTENDED.
Mr.. Reagan said that it was very plain
both from the language of the bill and
from the arguments made in its support
that the purpose of the bill was not reye-
nue. but exclusion. 1t was legislation in
idvor Of people who made butter and
against those who made ole0margArine
u was the manifest object OF tue PROPOSE
ton TO destroy the manufacture of imita-
ton butter, and there was nothing in the
constitution to justify 1t. 1t was not in
the power of Congress to outlaw manu-
iacture. The States had the power to reg
ulaie but not the general government.
lie deprecated the constant violation of
the constitution, aud said tbat if Things
went on as they mad been going on this
session he would not be surprised to see
man come here and claim damages from
The government il a storm blew tree
down and broke his fence.
VIOLATED BY DEMOCRATS.
Mr.. Struble. of Iowa, suggested that
the constitution had been violated by
Democratic votes.
Mr.. Reagan admitted this fact, and ex.
pressed his shame at having to admit it..
lie did not pretend 10 excuse il. Repub-
lcans might be excused, because they did
not believe there was any constitution.
Laughter.
Mr. Hiscock earnestly dwelt upon the
magnitude and Importance OF the subject
Hpon which the House was called 10 leg
l-late. The dairy interests of the country
we're being disastrousy affected by the
manufacture Of imuaunn compounds
"hlch were vile in their constituent parts
ma which carried with them germs Of
alsease. Tais vile, dirty product freighted
WIN disease was palmed of as healthy
product and fun price charged
i1r ~. something must be done to save
lhe farmer from the present ruinous com.
peluon with cheap limitations Of butter,
ana 10 protect the people at large from the
lpunou, effects consequent on the CON
sumption OF the vie compound. This
compound should be- made to paw tax,
lna this could be- done. be maintained,
Nlthout any violation of the constitution.
POWER 70 TAX.
There was a long line Of precedents for
tNe imposition ot such n tax. Power 20
.'A was not limited alnucto necessities Of
.HF government tor tUe amount Of revenue
'ilNaa. Power to tax Deing conceded,
.l.ie was no Limitation 20 ils exercise,
accept The discretion o. Congress.
'tratic conventions had declared tor
-Ntl.n for revenue with incidental
ii'lecton. Ine principle underlying
..' declaration carried with a. power on
l part OF Congress o. enact this law.
.'' was q question, he contendcd, which
Il'l pe considered bv the general gOvcrii-
"eNI DO response TO the demands OF tue
Ie ot the states who had petiti0ned
pug action should bee taken.
.Nc committee then rose. and the House
"' O'Clock adjourned.