The Portland daily press., 1890-05-29
FROM THE CITY BY THE POTOMAC.
More Senatorial Opinion on the Re-
cent Supreme Court Decision.
FortIfications Bill in the Senate
With Increased Appropria tIons.
The River and Harbor Bill Passed in
the Lower House.

WASHINGTON, May 28.-The Senate bill
subjecting imported liquors to the laws of
the several states was again taken up today
and Mr.. Morgan made an argument against
its constitxtionality.
Mr.. Faulkner opposed the bill, saying that
a high license system was the true method
OF dealing with the question. He had given
notice, he said, of an amendment somewhat
similar to the substitute since reported by
the judiciary committee. providing that as
soon as an article of spirits was delivered to
the consignee at the place of destination, all
its characteristics as an article of commerce
should cease, and it should become subject to
state laws. He objected to the use of the
word prohibition" in the substitute and
suggested that the object could be obyiated
by the use of the word regulation
Mr.. Wilson of Iowa. did not agree with
Mr.. Faulkner and argued in favor of the
substitute.
Mr.. Call arose to speak but yielded the
floor to Mr.. Allison. who presented the con-
ference report on the army appropriation
bill.
Mr.. Ingalls, inquired what had been done
In regard to the Senate amendment prohib-
iting the sale of alcoholic liquors, beer or
wine at canteens.
Mr.. Allison said the provision was modi-
fed to read:
No alcoholic liquors, beer or wine shall be sold
or supplied to enlisted men In any canteen or post
traders store in any state or territory in which
the sale of alcoholic liquors, beer wine is pro-
hibited by law.
Mr.. Paddock-",That gives away the
Mr.. Blair-"I suppose the Senator from
Iowa means to be understood that the Senate
c0n1ereeS found 1t necessary to yield to the
House cOnferees."
Mr.. Allison-'I do so wish to be under
Stood"
Mr.. Blair-"And of course no one will fail
to understood that this is an entire surren-
der of the proposition"
Mr.. Ingalls-"It is a surrender of the con.
troll Of the army of the United States to the
states In which troops may happen to be To-
Mr.. Allison-"I don't wish to 90 into that
question as promised my colleague, if the
report occupies any time, to withdraw 1t so
as not to interfere with my colleagues bill. l
will say that the House conferees were unan-
iimous In their persistence that the proviso
Inserted by the Senate should not remain in
the bill. The phraseology. adopted by the
conference committee is the same as pro-
posed, supported and maintained in the
House by those who desired to restrain the
liquor traffic in the army"
After further debate, Mr.. Allison with
drew the report and the House Notifications
bill was reported from the appropriation
committee with amendments, ordered laid on
the table and printed. The consideration of
the bill as to liquors in prohibitory states
was then resumed. Mr.. Blair argued in sup
port of the bill proposing to amend
it by striking out the word
terminated" and inserting in lieu
of it the words 'begun with the limits of the
state Of destination" so as to make the
police power attach to liquors as soon as
they reach the boundary line of the state of
destination. The amendment was rejected.
Discussion in criticism of the phraseology
the substitute reported from the judi
ciary committee sprang up.
Mr.. Jones of Arkansas suggested some
notifications of the substitute. He stated
that under the decision of the Supreme
Court, the law of his own state making 1t
unlawful to sell pistols or ammunition would
be rendered nugatOry. He was heartily in
favor of the principle of the bill but thought
it might be so wOrded as to apply to all
articles of commerce forbidden by state laws
as well as to intoxicating liquors.
Mr.. Edmunds admitted that it was de-
sirable to extend legislation to other sub
wanted to have this one thing done first and
LET the other things be attended to after
wards.
Mr.. Eustis suggested that legislation
against the sale of pistols would strike down
one of the industries of Massachusetts.
The Senate at GAO adjourned.