Bellows Falls times. [volume] (Bellows Falls, Vt.) 1856-1965, 1892-03-10
WASHINGTON LETTER.

w AOll1NO 1O1N AuA AGASs
LIVE NEWS AND DISCUSSION FROM
GOVERNMENT HEADQUARTERS.
Mr. Stamford's Silver Bill-Reopening of
the Behring Sea Dificulty- Interview
with Secretary Foster In London-World's
Fair Bill asking for $6,OOO,OOO Intro
duced in the House-Pure Food Bill Under
Discussion-southern War Claims Receiv-
ing Consideration.
Especial for the BELLOWS FALLS TIMEs.l
WASHINGTON, d. c., March 8, 1892
The pure food bill was discussed at
some length in the senate yesterday. Mr..
Berry of Arkansas argued that it was
impossible to make such laws effective.
If the evil could be suppre ssed it could
be done most effectively by the states.
He ascribed the motive of the bill to the
svndicates who controlled the lard in
dustry of the country and who sought
to put down the cotton seed oil industry,
which competed with them, and brought
to the southern states $50, ZOO. 900 year.
If the persons interested in the lard in
dustry could get the secretary of agri-
culture, under the terms of the bill, to
pronounce against cotton seed oil manu-
features or vice versa, an unjust dis
elimination would be made. The power
conferred by the bill is too great, and
more than should be inrusted to any
government officer. Mr.. Palmer OF
Illinois regretted that the tendency was
to enact new laws rather than to enforce
old ones. He said this bill left it so that
the people would not know what the
law was until declared by the secretary
of agriculture. He said the people of
rights in the local sale and use of food
and drugs. The power of Congress to
control in state transportation was most
salutary. But it had to be kept within
just limits. He protested against por-
lions of the bill establishing the most
rigid inspection of food and drugs, under
the pretense of regulating Interstate
commerce. The question was then
taken on the motion of Mr.. Coke of
Texas to strike out the sections requir-
ing dealers of food and drugs TO furnish
samples for analysis to agents of the
secretary of agriculture. The vote
stood: yeas, 10; nays, Is. No quorum.
Gallinger and Proctor voted no.
There is much difference of opinion on
the Behring sea question, but the drift
seems to be toward the feeling that if
Lord Salisbury refuses to renew the
modus vivendi clause of the treaty for
the present season that the relations be-
tween the two countries will be badly
strained, and the seals be utterly annihil-
ated before any settlement of the diff
Guilty can be reached. 1t is not probable
that armed force will be resorted to in a
settlement of the question, but it is prob
able that diplomatic complications may
arise which will seriously delay the
amicable negotiations already begun. 1t
is not likely that should any such crisis
arise there will be any influencing division
along party lines. In the late Gillian
affair the Democratic house would have
stood by the administration firmly in the
event of the resort to arms. All Sec
tiOnal differences are forgotten when an
enemy of the entire country appears.
Mr.. Salisbury is Influenced somewhat by
the desires of the Dominion government
and the undertaking to bolster up his
government at home. All expert infor-
Mr.. Salisbury's proposition will be to
practically agree to the destruction of all
seal life in Behring sea. 1t is just as
true that the United States will not agree
to the terms of Lord Salisbury's propo-
sition. A part of the cabinet wish to
send to him an ultimatum to modify his
proposal or submit to complete break
ing off of all negotiations and the en-
forcement of United States rights in
Behring sea. There the matter rests un-
til further dispatches are received from
the English government.
Mr.. Stamford has introduced bill
directing the purchase of silver bullion
and the coinage thereof. 1t directs the
secretary of the treasury to purchase
from time to time, such silver bullion as
may be offered, at the market price, moi
exceeding one dollar for 37l1 grains Of
pure silver and to issue in payment
legal tender of the United States with
out regard to the material of which it il
composed. The money issued in &C
cordance with the act is to be lega
tender in payment of all debts, public
and private, except where otherwise
stipulated in contracts, and is to be re
ceivable for customs, taxes and all pub
lie debts and is when so received at thu
treasury to be re-issued, and this to b.
counted by national banks as part O
their lawful reserve. The secretary Of
the treasury is to coin the silver bullion
so purchased into standard silver dollar
to such an amount as may be necessar,
to supply the general want or con
venience of the government. The silve
bullion so purchased is to be subject t
the requirements OF existing law and t
the regulations of the mint service. Tn
act is to take effect 30 days after it
passage.
Southern war claims are receivin
marked consideration from this house 9
representatives particularly noticeable
compared with the treatment of disable
UuiOn veterans or their widows. On
day Of each week, Friday, is set apal
for the consideration of such measure
and they are passed in numerous case
without the presence of quorum. o
the nrivate calendar of the house al