St. Paul daily globe., 1886-05-01
THE OLEOMARGA BILL.
Knight of Labor Opposed to Tax
ing Imitation Butter.

WASHINGTON, April 30.-The opposi-
tion to the bill taxing oleomargarine, as
predicted in these dispatches, is beginning
to make itself manifest. Mr.. Edward j.
Shields, the oldest local postmaster work
man of Brooklyn and New York and also a
prominent Knight of Labor is in the city to
oppose the bill in the interest of the masses
of the large cities.
ST don't think the bill ought to pass in its
present form," he said. Practical experience
has proven to many of the working people of
the large cities, with whom I am acquainted
that oleomargarine and butterine when prop
erly made, are equal or superior to the genu-
inc butter that they could afford to purchase,
as 1t is more uniform in quality, less liable to
become rancid and serves the purpose when
prejudice is laid aside. Were it not that both
substitutes are in the market, the ordinary
workingmen could not afford to pay the fancy
price they would be compelled to. There are
several stores in Brooklyn and New York that
hang.out the sign ''oleomargarine for sale,"
and the people associate with patronize them
literally, 1t would be a hardship on these
people if the gov ernment would adopt the
proposed law and compel them to pay more
for it than its commercial value. We have
state laws that are intended to check dishon-
esty in the sale of substitute butter, and if
the laws were enforced there would be no
need for national legislation. This effort
to surround the industry by the protection
of congress, on it's face looks honest, but
there is evidently something behind the cur
tain, as the boys say, mot quite square, To
put tax of 10 cents per pound on it and
charge eXOrbitant license fees is only another
way to drive it out of the market and when
it is out then the ring of butter spectators
that are doing all this lobbying have a clear
field to rob the consumers who are none
other than the working people of the large
cities''
''what would you propose?" asked the re-
porter.
''If congress desires to take a hand in class
legislation, they had better put nominal
tax on the manufacturer and stamp the ves-
sells containing the substitute and make it a
crime to sell it without having the stamp ex-
posed to the view of the purchaser
POstOffice Appropriation Bill.
WASHINGTON, April 30.-In the senate
to-day an effort was made to pass the bill
Ito prevent the desecration of graves" over
the presidents veto, but the senate declined,
yeas 6; nays 4S. The conference report on
the Indian appropriation bill was then sub
mitted by Mr.. Dawes and concurred in by
the senate. The private claims on the cal
endar were then taken up, and after the
passage of a few private bills the postofice
appropriation debate was resumed. After
some discussion Mr.. Plumb secured an un-
derstanding that at 4 o'clock on Monday
general debate on the bill should be closed
The senate then adjourned till Monday.
A CONGR RESSIONAL SECESSaONIST.
Mr.. Singl efOn Declares Himself a
supporter of Davis Principles.
Special to the Globe
WASHINGTON. April SO.-The New
York Worlds Washington special to-day
quotes Congressman Singleton, of Missis-.
sippi, as saying:
1T is not within the power of the peo-
pie at the south to keep jeff Davis Gagged,
and prevent his being honored by those who
made him their leader in 1861. 1t is
natural he should be given the ovation that
ne was, but if he says anything that is un-
patriotic in his address. he should be
hanged before he gets out of town. It may