The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-05-01

the market These men argue, and It
must be admitted that their arguments
have some force, that In large cities working
men purchase oleomargarine for their families
because they are unable to buy genuine butter,
and that to tax it ten cents pound would GER
tainly result IN increased cost to the con-
Eumer Thoy are willing and anxious, they say,
that all imitation butter should be sold for what
it really is, AID they profess to be very much in
favor OF bill which shall accomplish this de-
sired result There are behind these men, how
ever. evidences that the bogus butter manu-
facturers are egging them on. One OF the latter,
who is here in the interest of the Chicago pack
ing houses, said last night that butterine and
oleomargarine have driven from the mar
ket rancid butter, which was so common before
this stuff was invented. He argued thas pure
oleoDargarine is nothing but beef tat with the
fibre extracted, while butterine Is similar COM
pound of lard In his Grafton to q number of
members of Congress in front OF one OF the
prominent hotels, be said that within few days
thousands of petitiaae would pour in upon mem
bers of the House from organizations
of knights OF Labor throughout the
country praying that no tax be placed upon this
product, which, he urged, was so essential to
the welfare of the laborng men.
It is a fact that cannot be overlooked that the
labor organizations, or the Knights of Labor,
have far more power in Congress than any other
body OF men In the country, and, in spite OF the
fact that the Knights do not number more than
800 900 all told, according to the statement OF
General Master Workman Powderiy before the
committee investigating the labor troubles, while
the farming population embraces something like
seven million men, the former organization has
far more power in matters OF legislation than
the latter unorganized body. This is due to the
fact that the farmers are unorganized, and have
one to look after their interests in particular.
They have to depend on Individual members OF
Congress, and when they have anything to ask
from the general government they do not seem
to know how to go about it. Still, the farming
element has several very able men here repre-
senting it, and il is quito probable that the
voice of the agriculturist will be heard
very distinctly by those who dare to vote against
their interests in this measure. Still, the fight
is to be very bitter one, and the bogus butter
men will use all means in their power to enlist
the support Of the ways and means committee.
They expect tina: this body will object to the bill
on the ground that it is revenue measure, and
for that reason should have emanated from the
committee having charge of the finances of tho
government. 1t is understood that Mr. Morrison
and some of his co-laborers have promised that
they will defeat the bill on the ground that the
agriculture! committee has no right to formulate
measures affecting the revenues. Whether they
carry out their promise is a question to De
answered in the future. Mr.. Morrison may find
that his people in Egypt will not brook interfer-
ence in matter vital to their interests, and
that they will look upon the matter of a revenue
measure in different light from that by which
IL is seen by the able statesman who has such
bad attack Of presidential itch.