Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1886-05-29
BOGUS BUTTER BANTER.
MOTHER FRUITIIESS DEBATE
IN THE HOUSE.

The Members Crowd Around Mr.. Ever
hart in the Expectation of Bearing
something Spicy-Sucoessive Amend
ments Reducing the Amount OF the
Proposed Tax Voted Down.
WASHINGTON, May 2S.-Private bust
ness having been dispensed with the
House went into committee of the whole,
with Mr.. Springer in the chair, on the
oeomargarine bill, the peading amend
ment being that offered by Mr.. Daniel, OF
Virginia, reducing the special tax on re.
tail dealers from $4S to $25. In the course
Of another protracted aud stubborn de-
bate Mr.. Daniels amendment was re-
ported along with numerous others,
while still others we're unceremoniOusly
ruled out on points Of order.
An amendment was adopted allowing
retail dealers in oleomargarine to pack
the compound in paper packages.
Nj. Eyerhart, of Pennsylvania, rose to
speak against the bill, aud the members
remembering the sensation caused by his
speech in opposition to the river and har-
Dor bill, clustered around him and fire.
quenuy interrupted him with laughter
and applause.
ITS CON6TITUTIONALITY DEFENDED.
He asserted the cOnstitutiOnaitVIOf the
measure, ard then inYeighed against
the manufacture Of oleOmargarlue, which
threatened with destruction the time
bonOred business Of butter making.
This Oleomargarine was composed of the
Stag ofthe butcher shop. Kitchen and alley,
neutralized, compounded and prepared so
as to resemble the taste, form and color of
butter. 1t looked as if its origin was
associated with springs and cows
and pasture and all the charm OF the
country. 1T was an imposition made
solely to be given to the poor man to roll
under his tongue like the sweet mOrsel of
sin, though 1t be as pure as the icicle on
Dianas temple, or as wholesome as the
bread OF angels, it was still counterfeit
pretending to be genuine
TAXATION PROPOSITIONS.
Successive amendments reducing the
tax TO five cents and one cent per pound
we're rejected.
Mr.. Townsherd moved to make the tax
two cents.
Mr.. Butterworth supported Mr.. Towns
hend's amendment. 1t had been said by
the advocates of the bill that all they de-
sired was such law as would place the
manufacture Of oeOmargarine separate
and apart from that Of butteT-tO compel
a man who manufactured it to stamp it
tor what il was. A tax of two cents
would bring about that result. He
warned the gentlemen on his side of the
House, that if the time had come in this
country when Congress was willing to
wipe out one industry which could sur
ylve, which could grow, which could
flourish simply because il was the COM
petitOr OF another domestic industry, the
spectre of free trade would stalk through
every town and village of the country
within i've years, and it ought to. APP
plause on the Democratic side.
OUGHT TO STAND ON IT'S OWN FEET.
If this industry of OleOmargarine was
what the gentlemen said it was the re-
qurement that it should appear before
the country for what it was was enough
to destroy Ii. II it could not stand on it's
own merit IT ought TO die. If it could
stand and crow and flourish there was no
right IN th.S Congress to strike it down.
If the peOpe desired to buy it on its mer-
It's and citizens OF the United States
desired to manufacture it, he denied the
right Of Congress 10 wipe 1t out because
some other industry found it in the field
OF competition. Applause
Pending action on the amendment the
committee rose.
The bill will probably pass the House
tomorrow. If it does not it will ne in
shape TO pass on Tuesday. Under the
advice of Speaker Carlisle and other
Democratic leaders, VINO regretted to see
tAe time Of the House wasted at this
stage of the session on a bill which has
so slender a chance OF becoming d law,
the minority made no factiOus opposition
TO the bill to-day, contenting themselves
with presenting substantial arguments
and amendments. The proposition will
be made tomorrow to reduce the pro-
posed tax on each pound of the
Imitation butter from ten cents to eight
cents or even SIX cents II the majority
agree to this the bill will 90 right through.
II the majority insists on keeping the tax
at ten cents the majority may delay the
Dill still further. The bill will not, it is
believed pass the Senate. II it does it
VIII be vetoed, it is believed, by the Pres
ident.