Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-01-07
rrRoM A STAFF coRnEspoxDESr.l J


WASHINGTON, Jan. 6-Representative
Enloe, OF Tennessee, offered resolution to-
day lnstructing the Committee on Rules to
set apart day for the consideration Of what
is known as the Butterworth option bill,
which was favorably reported last session by
the Committee on Agriculture. 1t is prob
able the bill would have been passed at the
Chicago, fliibustered so persistentiy against
the compound lard bill as to waste the time
given to bills from the committee men
toned.
Owing to the amazing inroads into the old
parties made by the farmers organizations,
it is probable that the House and Senate
will be somewhat anxious TO pass the bill,
and for this reason Mr.. Eploe's resolution
will, so THE DISPATCH correspondent Is
informed, probably he speedily and favor
ably considered by the Committee on Rules,
and day set apart for bills from the Com
mittee on Agriculture with the understand
ing that this bill be taken mp. This pros
pect makes the measure OF vast Importance
TO the country, and the representatives OF
the dealers in options and futures may be
expected on hand and Fill the lobbies of the
Capitol, as they did at the last session.
in wheat, corn, oats, cotton, pork and other
farm products, and it is contemplated to
amend by adding oil, stocks, ETC. 1t imposes
further tax OF 8 cents per pound and 20
cents bushel upon articles which are the
subject of such sales under options or
futures. The intention Of the bill is clearly
defined. that it applies not to legitimate
dealers, farmers, actual purchasers or sellers,
and SO on, but to the gentlemen OF the
bucket shop. grain pit and bull ring, who
do not know whether potatoes grow on trees
or Indian corn under the ground.
The report accompanying the bill makes
the following interesting e1plication of the
vexed question:
1t is not the object of the proposed law,
nor will its effect be to improperly interfere
with the prosecution of any legitimate in
dustry or avocation which adds to the supply
of the things needful. or aids in the dis
tribution of supplies, or in anywise con-
tributes to the stock of useful knowledge in
matters OF production or the better utiliza-
tioL Of what is produced. But obviously
those who deal in 'options" and future
contracts, which is mere gambling, no mat
ter by what less offensive name such trans
actions may be designated, neither add to
the supply nor increase the demand for con-
sumption, nor do they accomplish any useful
purpose by their --caline; but on the con.
trary, they speculate in fictitious products.
While the farmer labors from day 70 day,
contending with food and drought to pro-
duce his crop, and by reason of its small
value when produced, ia compelled to deny
himself and family the neediul comforts Of
life, the producers of this other, competing
erop-this crop of mere wind-6nd all ''sea.
sons summer" and "toil not, neither dc
they spin, and J ct gather golden harvest
Once the Farmers Alliance is informed
there is chance for this bill they will make
a tremendous effort to force its passage. and
great fight between them and the specula
tiou element will be begun.