The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-06-04
The OIeOmargarine Bill.

The bill to tax limitations of butter has
been discussed several times recently in the
House of Representatives The opponents
OF the bill are very strong, in numbers, infu-
ence and money, while the dairy farmers
have very little of either with which to cope
with them.
On Thursday of last week the bill was
under consideration and all manner of ridicu-
lous amendments were proposed for the pur-
pose of bringing it into disrepute. An
amendment reducing the special tax mpos-
ed ON manufacturers of oleomargarine from
5000 to 500 was lost by vote of A to 110.
After several other amendments had been
offered and voted down, MIR. Reagan, of
Texas, proposed an amendment extending
the provisions of the special license tax sec
ton to watered milk, adulteraled butter, an
Gent eggs, sanded sugar, glucose syrup, ar
tificial honey, candles and soap of less weight
than they are sold for, bottles of wine and
liquor holding less quantity than represent
ed, adulterated wines and brandies, WHISTLES,
shoddy cloths, shoes with brown paper soles,
or any article of food, drink or wear which is
impure, adulterated or of short measure.
This amendment was decided to be out of
order.
Mr.. Daniel, of Virginia, moved to reduce
the special tax on retail dealers on oeomar-
garine from $48 to $25, and made speech
in favor of making the bill legitimate one
The debate was continued for little while
in decorous manner. Before long, how.
ever, the opponents of the bill realized that
they were being outvoted on all propositions,
and they turned the batteries of ridicule upon
the measure.
A Florida member proposed to tax Cali
fornia and foreign oranges. Then Mr.. Find
lay, of Maryland, brought forward an amend
ment imposing tax of 81 900 on manufac-
turers of glass eggs. This the chairman ruled
out of order without waiting for motion 70
be made and great confusion ensued.
Mr.. Adams of New York, amid laughter
and applause, submitted the following amend
ment
That all manufacturers of incubators shall pay
tax OF $4,000, and on every chicken Matched by
drtllCdl HeanS tnere snail be imposed tax of
81 for ROSTERS and 81 for pues in order that the
great American hen may be properly protected.
After half an hour of noise and merriment,
the House adjourned. The subject may af-
ford amusement to members of Congress- but
those who represent farming constituencies
and make light of this effort of farmers to
protect one of their most important indus
tries, may to have cause to regret their course
the next time they are candidates.
There is difference of opinion, among
farmers as well as among those learned in
the law, as to the right of Congress to tax
any manufactured article for the benefit of
another, but at any rate the subject deserves
respectful consideration at the hands of Con-
gress. There seems to be no doubt as to the
propriety or right of compelling manufactur-
ers Of imitation butter to color and brand it
in such way that it can not be mistaken
and sold for the genuine product of the
creamery, and to punish, by severe penalties,
every person detected in selling imitation
butter for the real article.
The law, in some shape, will no doubt pass
Hon. Frank T. Shaw, representative from
this district, will vote for it.