Los Angeles herald., 1890-05-29
NATIONAL CAPITAL.
Prohibition Bills Debated in
the Senate.
Original Packages and Soldiers
Canteens.
The Crank Element of the Blair Class
Getting Frantic.
The River and Harbor Bill Passes the
Unconstitutional Convention of
Railroad Commissioners.
Associated Press Dispatches. |

WASHINGTON, May 2S.-In the senate
today Sherman, from the committee on
foreign affairs, reported an amendment
to the consular and diplomatic appro-
priation bill, authorizing the president
to carry into effect the recommends
tions of the international conference by
the appointment of three commissioners
to represent the United States in the
international railway commission; also
to detail from the army and navy Off
GERS to serve as engineers under such
commission, making survey ,and appro-
.priating $65,000 as the share of the
United States of the expenses of such
commission and survey.
Stewart offered resolution (agreed
to) calling upon the secretary OF agricul-
ture for information as to the use of
artesian wells and other water supplies
from subterranean sources for irrigation.
Imported Liquors Bill.
The senate bill subjecting imported
liquors to the laws of the several states
was again taken up. Morgan made an
argument against its constitutionality.
Faulkner expressed himself in favor of
doing something, of passing some bill
that would relieve the situation which
now confronted congress. Speaking of
the regulation of the liquor traffic, he
himself believed, as did the people of
his state, that the high license system
was the true method Of dealing with the
question. He had given notice of an
amendment somewhat similar to the
substitute reported by the judiciary
committee. He criticised the substi-
tute, objectinng, for instance, to the use
OF the word prohibition, and sug-
gested that the object could be attained
by the 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
most serious predicament.
Call expressed sympathy with the
idea that the states had absolute con-
troll OF the traffic in Intoxicating liquor,
and was willing to vote for almost any
bill which would attain that end.
Call yielded the floor to Allison, who
presented the conference report on the
army appropriation bill.
snail Soldiers Have Beer?
Ingalls, inquired what had been done
with regard to the senate amendment
prohibiting the sale of liquor in can
teens.
Allison-The provision has been modi-
tied to read: "Tbat no alcoholic liquors.
beer or wine shall be sold or supplied to
enlisted men in any canteen, or at any
post-traders' store in any state or terri
tory in which the sale of alcoholic
liquors, beer or wine is prohibited by
law"
Replying to question by Blair, ALI
son said the senate conferees found it
necessary to yield to the house con-
ferees in the matter.
There was quite spirited debate on
this point. Blair held that it was an
entire surrender of the proposition.
Allison said of course the provision
applies only to states and territories
where prohibitory law prevails. The
house conferees were unanimous in} in
sisting that the senate proviso SHOULD
not remain in the bill.
Paddock said it was within bounds to
state that nineteen-twentietms of the
troops are stationed outside .e5f states and
territories where prohibitJry laws are
enforced.
Allison said the senate conferees did
the best they could in, Che matter.
Blair insisted THAT the language
adopted was a asubstasl tial surrender of the
senate proviso, aDa that the army can
force.
ingalls, said, Either the control of the
army, SO far as the sale of intoxicating
liquors Was concerned, ought to be
IN the U,nited States, or it ought not.
congress 7ought either to say that all
sold!ers Small have the opportunity of
getting drunk, or not. The proposition
to leavG the control of the question to
local Legislation seemed indefensible,
and 80 far as the senate was concerned,
it would be more manly to relinquish
the whole thing absolutely, rather than
have it so mutilated.
4 Allison withdrew the report, and said
he would call it up tomorrow.
The house fortifcation bill was re-
ported, with amendments, and laid on
the table.
The conference report on the bill for
public building at Cedar Rapids, Ia,
was agreed to.
The Imported Liquor Bill Again.
Consideration of the liquor bill was
resumed.
Pearce criticised the arguments OF
some of the democratic senator's, and
made arguments in support of the bill.
Turpie said the senate had under con-
sideration no duty whatever to perform
on this subject. With respect to the
.'shoddy, transparent, gauzy essence. or
image OF an essence, that is called moral
sentiment" behind prohibitory legisla-
tion,, he did not believe we had the de-
nomination of coin small enough to
measure it's value
After further debate the senate ad-
journed.
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.
The River and Harbor Bill Passed