Daily tobacco leaf-chronicle. (Clarksville, Tenn.) 1890-1895, 1890-07-23
ABOUT "oRleINAL PACKAGES"
The Three Propositions Now Before the
House of Representatives.

The Three Propositions Now Before the
House of Representatives.
WASHINGTON, July 2S.--The original
package bill was not voted on Monday
according to the order of the house as
adopted last week. By agreement the
vote was postponed one day There are
three propositions under consideration;
First, the senate bill, applicable to in
toxicating liquors only; second, the
house judiciary committee amendment,
subjecting all articles of commerce to
the laws Of the state; third, the substi-
tute proposed by Mr.. Adams, Of Illinois,
which is as follows:
That it shall not belawful TO import
into any state or territory, or into the
District of Columbia from any state or
territory, or from any foreign natl N, or
to import from tne District of Columbia
into any state or territory, any fermented,
distilled or other intoxicating liquors,
except in one or more original packages
as defined by this act.
SEC. 2. That for the purposes of this
act an original package of Intoxicating
liquor in bottles shall be case containing
not less that one dozen bottles, and an
original package of intoxicating liquor
not in bottles shall contain not less than
five gallons.
MIR. Adams Argument.
The general opinion is that the Judi
ciary Committee amendment win be
adopted, but Mr.. Adams substitute has
many advocates among the lard men
and those interested In cOtton-seed oil.
Mr. Adams presents some strong argu-
ments on his side. He says:
The National policy of the United
States in regard to commerce among the
states ii first, that no unnecessary re-
striction shall be laid upon it. and, sec
Ondly, that when any restriction is
found to be necessary it shall be i'm
posed, not by state legislature, but
by congl ess, and shall express not the
local policy Of a state, but the general
policy Of the people of the United States.
The substitute approved by the
majority of the committee violates both
Of these principles. The supreme court
having rendered decision relating to
interstate traffic in intoxicating liquor,
which III the opinion of some renders
legislation necessary, the majority of
the committee propose to legislate, not
in regard to interstate traffic in intoxi-
eating liquors alone. but in regard to in
terstate traffic in all articles Of food,
drink and clothing and all other com
modities. Secondly, instead of placing
a restriction on interstate commerce ex-
pressing the Judgment of congress, in
view of the general policy of the people
of the United States, the committee pro-
poses to allow each state to impose such
restrictions rs its local policy may die
tate, not only rs to what articles of
commerce may be sold within the state,
but as to the manner in which they may
be sold, regardless Of the interests of
citizens of other states. although it was
mainly to protect these interests that
the control of interstate and foreign
comm cree was made the duty of con
gress.
What" Mr.. Adams asks, "would be
the result? The committee expressly
admit i'll their report that if this bill is
enacted and is declared valid by the
courts, the result would simply be that
the original package of liquor imported
into prohibition state could not be
held In that state for sale or shipment
within or without the state; while at
the same time the citizens of the prohi-
bition state could still receive. without
let OF hindrance, their weekly rations of
intoxicating liquor, delivered to them
pursuant to contract or sale made and
completed without the state.
"Is it worth while to risk 80 much in
order to gain SO little Is 1t worth
while, in this indiIect way. to attempt
to abolish the original package saloon
a nuisance likely to be soon abated by
the courts, and certain to be abated If
congress sees fit to meet the erronerous
inference drawn from the recent de-
cision by an act defining, the original
package. The recent decision of the
supreme court affords no more warrant
or excuse for the establishment Of an
original package saloon than it affords
for the adoption of the Confederate sys-
TEN of regulating interstate and for
eign commerce, of which. rs Washing
ton declared, AN abortion or many
headed monster would be the issue.