St. Tammany farmer. [volume] (Covington, La.) 1874-current, 1892-12-31
THE ANTIOPTION BILL.


Senator Palmer of Illinois CAV,
the anti-option bill such tumplins
in tae Senate last week that Senat0
Washburn who is the father of tn,
measure became alarmed and q
once took steps to have the friend.
Of the measure to assist him in hur-
rying to vote before the opposition
became stronger, because it was
quite plain that the public senti-
ment in regard to the bill has
changed wonderfully since the first
session of this Congress adjourn
ed, and members of the House and
Senate who once favored the bill
are now opposing it. There is
every reason to believe that If the
bill gets to a vote it will be defeat
ed. because during the last cam.
paign the Chicago Herald uncover
ed the interest that Senator Wash
burn has in the measure. He is the
head Of one Of the largest combines
Of millers in the Northwest, and il
the bill should become . law it
would enable his combine with
their millions Of dollars and numer-
GUS agents to practically control
the price of wheat.
The dispatches this morning give
the following account of the very
vigorous manner in which Senator
Palmer attacked the bill, and there
Is every reason to believe that his
ringing denunciation Of the plans
and the purposes Of the men who
are behind the bill will cause MANY
senators who favor the measure to
change their votes.
Senator Palmer resumed his at
tack on the anti-cption bill. He
was in fine voice and moved down
the arguments set up BY the WASH
burn men in ruthless fashion. The
senator spoke. with much vigor and
at considerable length upon the UNI
constitutionality Of the proposed
act. He charged the Washburn
gang Of seeking to do by indirection
what none Of them dared to do di.
rectly.
''It is q subterfuge, q fraud" he
cried. "Nonc pretend to contend
that the bill, though revenue bill,
is expected to raise q single cent Of
revenue. Congress has not power
to interfere with the rights OF the
States. The constitution forbids
it. You all know that it is wrong
and yet you have taken the oath to
uphold the constitution.
Zone OF the most serious objec-
tons to the bill," he said, 'was
that it struck at the common right
to make contracts regarded as law
full by the courts. 1t even forbade
the citizen buying his goods where
he saw fit" "1'his law" he went
on, lis intended to strike down
associations. II that is |
not its intent that will certainly be |
the result and there Is not q Sena-
tor to deny it. Can there be any.
thing more absurd, Mr.. President,
han that this bill is truly meant to |
raise revenue! But it is just as alb
'urd to tell the farmers and planters |
hat the bill is offered for their
interest"
This, coming from Senator Palm.
r, whose sympathies are known SO
we'll to be with the farmers. had q
1azzling effect on the Washburn
crowd ''Ihere is no urgent de-
nand in Illinois for the bill, though
professional farmers have sent me .
demanding that l vote for
he Hatch Washburn bill" ''Thesc
professional farmers" the veteran
senator cried, in . voice that was
,eard in the corridors, "these pro-
'essional farmers are miserable
eeches who live on the earnings of
he farmers, land yet" looking
'traight at Washburn. who turned
lis eyes on the floor, land yet
hese men pretend to be farmers
riends. The bill, Mr.. President,
3 in the interest Of organized cap
tai.
''Jt is in the interest of men who
ire trying to secure = monopoly
y driving out Of the market Of the
rorld smaller dealers. 1t is out
age0us, and gives to men = power
he constitution never meant they
hould have. daily States.
Jay Gould is said to have had .
weakness. He wanted to
now what his fellows would say Of
i'm after his death. II don't
blink / ever had an ambition" he