National Republican. (Washington City (D.C.)) 1872-1888, 1886-05-25

committee OF the whole, Mr.. Springer, OF
Illinois, in the chair, on general revenue
bills.
The fret measure Of this character on the
calendar was the Morrison tariff bill, which
was passed over without objection, but
a contest was made over setting aside the
next revenue bill, being one TO reduce the
number Of internal revenue officers.
The matter was submitted to the House
for its determination, and that body having
decided, yeas 1856, nays SO, TO pass over the
internal revenue bill, the committee re.
sumed it's session, and the "oleomargarlne"
bill was taken up.
Mr.. Scott, Of Pennsylvania, expressed his
approval OF the provisions OF the bill.
Some legislation Of this character was alb.
solutely necessary II one Of the chief In
dustries OF the country was to be spared
from the doom which now threatened IT,
The bill did no injustice to the manufac-
turers OF imitation butter; IL simply raised
the farmer to the plane OF fair and honest
competition. Discussing the constitutional
features OF the measure, he argued that,
under the general welfare clause of tho
constitution, 1t was perfectly competent
and proper for Congress to legislate upon
the subject.
Mr. Hopkins, Of Illinois, said that the
enactment Of this bill into law would be
but tardy justice to n most deserving class
OF citizens. The manufacturer OF bogus
butter was as destructive TO public morals
as the counterfeiting of money, and he
hoped that Congress would lay a heavy
hand on this greatest Of all modern de-
ccptions.
Mr.. Hammond, Of Georgia, argued that
the bill, as measure to suppress the manu-
facture OF oleomargarine, was unconstltu-
tlonal 1t was protection run mad. Il was
n bill to popularize the internal revenue
system. Every one would be hereafter
coming to Congress asking for protection
from competition. The whole time OF Con-
gress would be then taken up in an attempt
to catch up with American rascality-a thing
that was impossible. The farmers were
more interested in retaining the American
form OF government In its purity than I'm
suppressing the manufacture OF oleomar-
garine.
Mr.. Reagan, Of Texas, said that It was
very plain, both from the language of the
bill and the arguments made In It's support,
that the purpose of the bill was not revenue
but exclusion. 1t was legislation In favor
Of the people who made butter and against
those who made oleomargarine. lie depre-
Gated the constant violation of the constitu-
tion, and said that II things went on as they
had been going on this session, he would
not besurprised to see man come here and
claim damages from the government II a
storm blew tree down and broke his fence.
Mr.. Stubs, Of Iowa, suggested that the
constitution had been violated by Demo-
cratic votes.
Mr.. Reagan admitted this fact, and ex-
pressed his shame at having TO admit II.
He did not pretend TO excuse 1t. The Re-
publicans might be excused, because they
did not believe there was any constitution.
Laughter
Mr.. Hlscock, of New York, earnestly
dwelt upon the magnitude and Importance
OF the subject upon which the House was
called to legislate. The dairy interests OF
the country were being dsastrously af.
fected by the manufacture of imitation
compounds, which were vile In their con.
stituent parts and which carried with them
the germs Of disease. This vile dirty
product, frelghted with disease, was palmed
of as healthy product, and full price
charged for 1t. Something must be done
to save the farmer from the present runout
competition with cheap limitations OF buttel
and TO protect the people at large from the
injurious effects consequent on a consump
ton Of the vile compound. This compound
should be male to pay a tax, and thiI
could be done, he maintained, with
out any violation Of the consti
tuition. There was long line o.
precedents for the imposition of such a tax
| The power TO tax was not limited alone Il
the necOaties Of the government for thu
amount OF revenue derived. The power Il
tax being conceded, there was no Limitation
to Its exercise except the discretion of Con
| gress. Democratic conventions had de
clared for taxation for revenue with Incl
dental protection. The principles under
| lying that declaration carried with 1t til,
power on the part of Congress to enac
this law. This was a question, he con
tended, which must be considered by tn
| general government in response to the de
mands Of the people Of the states, who hal
| petitioned that action should be TAKEN.
| The committee then rose, and the House
at o'clock, adjourned.