, 1890-05-29
THE DAY IN CONGRESS.
Debate in the Senate on the
Liquor Bill.
The Harbor and River Bill in
the House.
Northwestern Railroads Agree
to Restore Rates.


WASHINGTON, May fisherman,
from the committee on foreign affairs, re-
ported an amendment to the consular and
diplomatic appropriation bill. authorizing
the president to carry into effect the
recommendations of international confer
ence by the appointment of three com
m%issioners to represent a United States
inter colonial railway commission, also to
detail from the army aud navy, officers to
serve as engineers under such commission,
making a survey and appropriating
5000, 900 as the share of the United
States expenses of such commission and
survey.
Stewart offered a resolution (aereed to-
calling on the secretary of agriculture for
information as to the use Of artesian wells
and other water supplies from subter-
anean sources of irrigation.
The senate bill subjecting imported
liquors to the laws of several states was
again taken up. Morgan made an ar
gument against its constitutionality.
Faulkner expressed himself in favor Of
doing semething-of passing some bill
that would relieve the situation which
now confronted congress. Speaking of
L0t TtRuldllOu VI INC IQuOT lTAL1c, ne
said he himself believed. as did the PEG
pie of his state, that a high license sys
tenn was the true method of dealing with
the question. He had given notice of an
amendment somewhat similar to the sub
stitute reported by the judiciary commit
tee. He criticised the substitute. object
ing, for instance, to the use of the word
prohibition and suggested that this
object could be attained by use of the
word. regulation.
Wilson of Iowa did not agree with
Faulkner, and argued in favor of the
substitute.
Pugh argued in favor OF the bill and
said its defeat would leave the states in a
serious predicsment.
Call expressed sympathy with the idea
that the states had absolute control of
traffic in intoxicating liquors and was will
ing to vote for almost any bill which would
attain to that end.
Call then yielded the floor to Allison,
who presented the conference report on
the appropriation bill.
ingalls, inquired what had been done in
regard to the senate amendment, prohib-
iting the sale of liquor at canteens.
Allison said the provision was modified
to read: That no alcoholic liquors, beer
or wine shall be sold or supplied to en-
listed men in any canteen or post trader 3
store in any state or territory in which the
sale OF alcoholic liquors, beer or wine was
prohibited by law" Replying to a.ques-
lion by Blair, Allison said the sen
ate conferees found it necessary to
yield to the house conferees in the mat
ter.
There was quite a spirited debate on
this point. Blair held it as an entire
surrender of the proposition. Allison
said of course the provision applies
only to states and territories where the
prohibitory law prevails. The house
conferees were unanimous in insisting
that the senate prUviso should not remain
in the bill.
Paddock said it is within the bounds to
state that nineteen-twentieths of the
troops are stationed outside of states and
territories where prohibitDrY laws are en-
forced.
Allison said the senate conierees did
the best they could in the matter.
Blair insisted that the language adopted
is a substantial surrender of the senate
proviso and that the army canteen
will remain in substantial full force.
ingalls, said either the control OF the
army, so for as the sale OF intoxicating
liquors is concerned. ought to be in the
United States or it ought not. Congress
ought either to say all soldiers shall have
an opportunity Of getting drunk or not.
The proposition to leave the control of the
question to local legislation seems indie
feasible and so far as the senate is con
cerned would be more manly to reiiuquish
the whole thing absolutely, rather than
have il so mutilated.
Allison withdrew the report and said he
would call it up tomorrow. The house
fertilization bill was reported with amend
ments and laid on the table.
A conference report on the bill for
public buildings at Cedar Rapids was
agreed to and her consideration OF the
liquor bill was resumed.
Pearce criticized the arguments of
some of the Democratic senators and
made an argument in support of the
bill.
STurpie said the senate had under the
constitution no duty whatever to perform
on this subject with respect to shadowy,
transparent, gauzy essence or image Of an
essence that is called moral sentiment
behind prohibitory legislation" He did
not believe we had denomination of coin
small enough to measure its value.
After further debate the senate ad-
journed.
In the House.