New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1889-04-06
FIGHTING WESTERN BEEF,
THE SUBJECT Up FOR DISCUSSION IN THE
ASSEMBLY.
Mr. NIxoN's BILL AGAINST THE CHICAGO
DRESSED MEAT SHARPLY ATTACKED, BUT

DhESSED MEAT bHAhPLI ATIAIhLDi DSA
Is ORDERED TO A THIRD READING.
IPRoH TIE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
Albany, April 5-The battle Of the local butchers
with the dressed beef men Of Chicago and Kansas
City, which has been fought in so many Legislatures
the last six months began In the Legislature OF hl'
State to-day Indeed, 1t may be said that the battle
has been raging for two months past in tho Com
mittee Public Health Of the Assembly, the members
of which have listened TO a score Of arguments non
the representatives Of the butchers of this State on
one side and OF Armour & Co., J. II. Hammond AND
other Western shippers Of dressed beef
The particular form Of attack chosen upon the
dressed beef men was bill introduced by Mr.. Nixon
requiring the inspection of dressed beef before II
should DO sold or transported in this State. MT
Nixon called up his bin with the object Of having II
ordered TO third reading. Ho made long argu
ment IN support OF the measure, especially dwelling
on the risk that tho inhabitants Of this State tool
when they bought meat which had been brought q
thousand miles.
Mr.. Hit, Of Albany, asked him II the question Of
the constltuoualty of the act had been determined
whether State could thus discriminate against
the products Of another
Mr. Nixon replied that the judges Of various States
Of the highest courts had declared the act con-
satutlona.
Mr.. saxton said that while tho judges of State
courts might declare the act constitutional he would
predict as lawyer that the United States Supreme
Court would declare the act unconstitutional, on tho
ground that It interference with commerce Dc
tween the States.
Mr. Crosby also assaled the bill. He said:
This is dislngenuous bill. 1t pretends TO be drawn
to protect health OF tie people OF this State bus us
sole purpose is to prevent the Western dressed meat
firms from competing with the butchers OF this state
There Is no outcry against Western dressed beef No
one has been made sick by Il. have eaten great
deal Of It, and say that It is excellent article,
sweet and wholesome. Moreover, tho bill Is uneonsti'
tutona although presume that by narrow eonstruc-
ton OF the law State at least could declare
that It is constitutional should also be opposed to
this bill because believe the competition OF tho west
ern men with butchers has lowered tho price OF
meat In this State.
Mr. Nixon denied that the price Of beef had been
lowered and asked Mr.. Crosby II he bad examined the
statistics on the subject.
"No, have not" replied Mr. Crosby, "bnt have
as good a right to my opinion as to the results OF
western competition with our butchers yon have
General Curtis said that as q representative OF the
largest dairy county In the State. that OF ST.
Lawrence, he was opposed to the bill. Not farmer
OF his district that he of, favored the bill
Mr. Answorth said that he also represented
dairy county which did not favor the bill. Tho
farmers Of Oswcgo County made butter and cheese
which sold for the highest price in the Liverpool
market and with the money thus obtained they bought
Chicago dressed beef.
Mr.. Nixon here offered an amendment eIemptng
from inspection cattle billed within ten miles Of the
borders Of New-York He said he presented this
amendment In order that tho abattors In Jersey City
might not DO affected.
Mr.. AInsworth declared that this amendment was
absurd Thousands Of cattle were killed In the enor
nous abatfoirs OF Jersey city. any cattle needed
inspection they did especially, for most OF them W
trans ted a thousand nlIlos across he comment IN
crowded railway before they vero killed, and
mi fitness
such an eX pehence That was precisely the case
with most Of thc cattle Killed by local butchers ire
cattle were brought from the West and in their fever
fish and excited state, after long railway journey
were killed Chicago beef IN his opinion, was the
hest and the cheapest in tho world. In conclusion
the speaker warnea his fellow members that II New:
York Disseminated against other States they would
discriminate against her. lie could imagine, Tor IN.
stance, some Westen State discriminating against
clothing made I'm this State the ground that II had
been made in unhealthy tenement houses Since
New-York made about 10 per cent OF the clothing 81
the country. this would be serious blow to her In
dustries.
vote Of 55 20 10.