The progressive farmer. [volume] (Winston, N.C.) 1886-1904, 1890-10-07
IT IS CONS r~ITUTIONAL.
A Quietus to Stale Objections by I'm
Improbable Precedents.

A Quietus to Stale Objections by I'm
impeachable P~recedents.
The favorite objection to the Sub
Treasury bill is its I'm 3onstitutionality,
yet no one has ventured an argument
upon that line. In view of she fact
that this bill has been widely discussed,
more so perhaps than any matter of
legislation, during the past twelve
years, it is somewhat strange that the
proof of it's being unconstitutional has
not advanced beyond mere assertions.
So far all objections have been con.
fined to the details of the plan, while
it's principles have been entirely
ignored. The main points in the bill
involve the right of the government
l. To purchase land.
2. To build warehouses.
3. To appoint agents.
4. To receive deposits.
S. To loan money.
Upon the constitutionality of these
propositions the Sub. Treasury bill
must stand or fall. 1t has been said
before, and it is we'll to repeat, that
the most ardent supporter of the
measure desires to have all it's pro
visions strictly within the limits of the
Constitution. The right of govern,
ment to purchase land, build ware
houses, appoint agents, and receive do
posts of grain, merchandise, and the
precious metals is so clearly and fully
set forth in the system governing the
execution of the internal revenue laws,
the customs laws or these of the
Treasury Department, as to need no
repetition at this time. No fun ctions
Of government are more clearly de,
fined or practically applied than are
these, as shown by the following in
cident. Learning that the basement
Of the postcfice at Kansas City, Mo -,
vas being used as a warehouse for
whisky, The Economist addressed a
communication to the Commissioner
of Internal Revenue, which elected
the following response, dated July II,
1890, from Assistant Secretary of the
Treasury, George S. Bachelor:
Il have to acknowledge the receipt,
by reference, Of your letter of the 10Th
inst, addresse l to the honorable com
missioner of Internal Revenue, and in
reply TO the inquiry therein contained
relative to the authority under which
the basement unoer the United States
c~ustomhouse and p~ostofice building ia
Kansas City, Mo, is used for ware
house purposes, particularly for the
storage of whisky, | have to refer you
to act of Congress approved April 20,
1878, chapter 81, page 80, volume 20,
U. S. Statutes at Large, and to sec
ton 1862, Revised Statutes"
The act of Congress REFER ed to pro-
vided for the purchase of suitable
grounds on which to erect a building
to be used as a postofise, custom
house, bonded warehouse and Office of
Internal Revenue Collector. Section
1862 Of the Revised Statutes is as fol.
lows:
"Any merchandise subject to DUTY,
except perishable articles, also gun
powder and olher explosive substances
except irecrackers, which shall have
been duly entered and bonded for
warehousing, in conformity with ex-
listing laws, may be deposited, at the
option of the owner, importer, con-
signee or agent at his expense and
risk, in any public warehouse owned
or loaned by the United States, or in
the private warehouse of the importer,
the same being used exclusively for
the storage of warehoused merchan-
disc Of his own Importation or to his
consignment, or in a private ware
house used by the owner, occupant,
or lessee, as a general warehouse for
the storage of warehoused merchan-
disc; such place of storage to be des-
ignated on the warehouse entry at the
time Of entering such merchandise at
the customhouse."
The above citations constitute the
authority by which the government at
this present time purchases lands,
builds warehouses, and receives de-.
posts for storage. The appointment
OF agents to perform these duties is a
necessary sequence.
In view of these facts, if the bill is
unconstitutional it is because of that
provision which requires the govern
} ment to loan money. If, therefore, it