The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-07-22
CONGRESSIONAL.


WASHINGTON, July l1.-Mr Miller called up the
oleomargarine bill, reported by the committee on
agriculture, without anendment,and 1t was decided
by vote Of IS to II that the bill be considered.
Messrs. Beck, Berry, Brown, Coke, Gray, liar
ris, Jones (Ark.), MaXey, Pugh, Vance, Walthall,
Whitthorn and Wilson Md voted nay.
Mr.. Becks motion to refer the bill to the com
mittee on finance was rejected Yeas, H. nays, -.
Mr.. Miller then made lengthy speech in advo-
cacy of the bill.
MIR. Hal rs submitted an amendment substituting
for all provisions of the bill, except
those defining oleomargarine. provision
making it a misdemeanOr for any persOn to sell or
offer for sale in the District of Columbia, or the
territories of the United States, oeomargarine
which is not distinctly branded and sold as such.
Mr.. Coke argued against 1t on the ground that if
the manufacture and Use of OleOmargaTine were
deh mental to the public health, it should lie
discovery d or prohibited. The question belonged
exclusively to the police power of the several
states and congress had no power or Jurisdiction
over it.
Mr. Palmer spoke in favor of the BILL and Mr..
Miller said he woVld ask vote upon it on Mon
day
After executive session the senate adjourned,
HOUSE.
After the reports from the committees We're pre-
scented the house went into committee of the whole
on the foTtifcatiOn appropriation bill
Mr.. Butterworth directed attention to what he
regarded as the gross remissness of congress, in
failing to appropriate what not only the house but
the country, must recognize as
lAulRIpnSHIlp
have something suggestive of the coast and harhor
defenses. The country was under range of hostile
guns, five billion dollars worth of property, and
yet To meet the emergency by providing to protect
these great interests committee on appropriations
appropriat d. gave the magnificent sum of $500,
00O lie then went on with words of admira-
ton to read and comment upon the
Letter of Samuel j. Tilden to speaker
Carlisle on the subject of coast defenses, and com.
mended the words of wisdom to the members of
the democratic party. ltwould be the part Of prl-
denCe, he said, to eXpend the surplus revenue in
coast defensee, rather than by doing away with 1t
by reduction of the whisky tax, At the proper
time, he said, he intended to introduce an amend,
ment increasing the appropriation made by the bill
by 81 10000.
Mr.. Reagan, of Texas recognized the fact that as
the country grew older and its relations with the
commercial world became extensive, it was neces'
sary it should be in condition to take care of the
lives and property of its citizens and lie would do
his duty towards securing that end. Passing from
this subject, he arraigned the republican party for
enacting legislation in favor of corporations, for
the decentralization of silver an for undertaking
to secure specie payments by taking currency out
of the country and bankrupting the people.
Mr.. Cutcheon, of Michigan, thought the title of
the bill should be "tO provide how not to do it, or
at very best bill "to prepare tn begin to tortity
The country was absolutely helpless,
absolutely unarmed and absolutely stripped
of navy. The lake coast was
equally defenseess, and could be reached he said,
through Weland canal; an enemy could levy on
three billion dollars of property
Mr. Randall maintained the bill was in no re-
spect hostile to the proper armng of the United
States, but its purpose was to secure knowledge
| its requirements, referring to Mr.. Culberson's
remarks upon the defenseless condition of the
| lake coasts, he suggested that Great Britain was
not as other gentlemen thought. England knew
| the moment she began to war with us-the
| United States-meant that she should not have a
foot of ground on this continent, and she was not
going to be guilty of disturbing the peace OF the
country.
Mr. Butterworth offered an amendment increas
ing from 10000 to 50, UO,00l the appropriation
for the armament OF the sea coast tortiiicatiOns.
| Rejected.
| Mr. Niele, of New York, moved to increase the
appropriation $4,000 o. Reiected-3S to II.
| Mr. Buck of Connecticut, raised the point of or
der against the clause creating the board under
whose discretion the appropriation for tortitca-
tons shall be expended and who shall make in
vestigations, experiments, etc, and who are au-
thorzed to purchase or manufacture guns.
| The point of order was sustained and the clause
| scratched ont.
The committee then reported the bill to the
house.
! Mr.. Randall moved to reduce the appropriation
for the armament of Notifications from S5UOOOO to
| Sl0l,0n.
Pending vote on the demand for the previous
| question, the house took a recess.