National Republican., 1888-02-14
THE HOUSE.


THE HOUSE,
Under the call OF states number OF bills
were introduced and referred.
After some discussion on a question Of
privilege the House proceeded to the con-
sideration Of business pertaining to the
District OF Columbia.
The first bill called up was one Furnishing
the advertising Of lottery tickets in the
District OF Columbia. II was opposed by
Mr.. Rogers, OF Arkansas, upon constltu-
tiopsl grounds. He would go as far as any
man In euppressing every species OF
gambling, but In so doing he would not
violate the constitution which he had sworn
to defend. The bill would prevent any
paper, no matter where published, from
fringe the liberty Of the press.
The moral sentiment OF the country was
opposed to lotteries, and thirty-flve states
had passed laws prohibiting lottery adver-
tisements. That moral sentiment would
crush cut this species OF gambling, and
there was no necessity for Congress to vio-
late the constitution In order to eradicate
IL. He asked the Democratic side not to
wipe out the middle. aisle, hut to follow
the Interpretation Of the constitution as
made by Judge Storey. But II the spirit
and letter Of the constitution we're 70 be
broken, let the principle involved be com.
mensurate with the remedy. Let II not be
broken when no principle was involved.
Mr.. Hemphill, OF South Carolina, did not
agree that the provisions Of the bill applied
to any paper published outside Of the Dis.
trict, but admitted that that was a question
upon which the best lawyers might differ.
Mr.. Compton declared that he was not an
advocate Of lotteries, but he did not believe
that souls could be sent to heaven by com.
pulsory legislation. Society could only be
regenerated by principles inculcated by
Christian methods.
Mr.. Browne, of Indiana, said that accord
ing to his Interpretation Of the bill the pro-
visions applied as much to papers pub
lished in Maryland or New York elrculat-
ing In the District Of Columbia as. to papers
published in the District Of Columbia; but
with that Interpretation he indorsed the
bill fully and without reservation.
Mr.. Grain, of Texas, took issue with the
argument that every scheme Of chance was
necessarily a crime. He did not believe
that lottery, which was authorized by the
organic law Of state OF the Uuien, be-
longed to the category of crime. He did
not believe that every bazar given for the
benefit Of the G. A. r.; that every fair given
for the benefit Of church, was necessarily
a crime, because, forsooth, moralsts Of q
certain school Of morality held to the con-
trary.
Mr.. Cummings Of New York, looking at
the bill not as lawyer, but as man who
pretended to have modicum Of common
sense, thought that there was too much
law in 1t. In trying to correct an admitted
evil the House was opening the doors to
some OF the ashes OF the old allen and sedi-
tion laws. Those laws not only interfered
| with the liberty Of the press, but also inter-
'fered--as the pending bill did-with the
liberty OF the person. Nor was this the
first time that those ashes had been
stirred up by Congress, They had been
Gen. Grant, when the United States Senate
had passed bill to abridge the
freedom OF the press. Under the provis-
ions Of that bill the editor Of the most OBJ.
scure newspaper In the most obscure cor
ner OF the most obscure state cou d be
dragged to the District Of Columbia and
subjected TO fine and Imprisonment by
petty local tribunals. There was the same
seed in this bill. 1t not only trampled on
the freedom Of the press and OF the person
but 1t trampled on the rights OF states.
The bill was clear in its provisions.
1t applied undoubtedly to papers
published outside but circulating In
the nOnureis District had OF 0Oiu%SiH; p,sSt IL IL
prescribe what should be printed in the
advertisement column Of newspaper, 1t
had right to exercise censorship over the
editorial'and news columns. Congress was
then to exercise editorial supervision over
the entire press. Who was to be the editor.
in-chief? The distinguished gentleman al
the other end of the avenue? Who was to
be the city editor? Was 1t to he the Speaker
of the House? Who were to be the re
porters? The chairmen OF committees
4 Where was the editorial supervision to end
The House was playing with fire. 1t had
better blow out the match and avoid Q
conilagration.
Mr.. Oates, Of Alabama, thought that the
bill applied only 10 papers published In the
District, and on this ground, opposed 1t, as
creating an unjust dissrimination.
measure for similar reason. II Congress
could establish censorship OF the prest
! which would prevent reporters lying about
public men and private individuals, he, fol
one, would certainly vote to do 80, because
he had never seen anything so offensive to
a sense Of public morality In any lottery
advertisement as he had seen In the eX
pressed opinion Of newspaper, reporters
published as facts. II Congress could pass
bill which would require editors and re-
porters to confne themselves to statement
OF facts, instead OF publishing their indi-
vidual opinions as facts, 1t would rebound
to the good and welfare OF all the people.
| Mr. Latnam, OF NOrtn CarOllna, Wnlt
expressing his bitter hostility to lotteries
denied the power Of Congress- to enac
legislation to diffuse morality among thu
human race.
Mr.. Guenther, Of Wisconsin, regretted
the growing tendency In this countr,
toward the methods OF monarchial Europe
He was opposed to a censorship Of the
press, because 1t was un-American, unre
publican, and lin this case) uncalled for.
On motion OF Mr.. Craig the bill wa
referred to the committee on judiciary
Yeas, III; nays, ll5.
The bill was passed to prohibit any per
son In Washington or Georgetown from
making books or pools on the result OF an!
races or Of any game of base ball.
"A bill apI ropriating $35, 600 for the con
structlon OF bridge across Rock creek a
Woodley lane (near Oak View 10 the Dis
trict gave rise to good deal OF debate.
Mr.. Hemphill, OF south Carolina, de
Tended the action OF the committee on tn
District Of Columbia In reporting the bill
and Indignantly denied the imputation tina
its course had been influenced In the slight
est degree by any real estate ring.
No final action was taken, and the House
at B o'clock, adjourned.
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