New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1892-02-24
IHE PADDOCK PURE-FOOD BILL.
FEW HOURS sPLNT IN DISCUSSING II IN THg.
SENATE.

SENATE.
Washington, Feb. 23.-The Senate spent few
| hours to-day what is generally known as the
Paddock Pure Food bill, a measure which has for
| its object the prevention, by means of Federal In
specton of the misbanding or false labelling of foods
and drugs. Mr.. Paddock's bin is the successor Of
famous Conger Lard bill of the last Congress, the
passage of which through the House led To many
stormy scenes and week more OF filibustering
The COnger bill expanded into its present shape
by the Senate Committee Agriculture. and was
bueted about in the senate during the greater part Of
the short session OF 1884, always failing to obtain that
precedence other measures which was necessary
to insure 1t a vote. Mr. Paddock reintrOduced the
bill Inst December and 1t reported ahead Of all
competitors and got the first place on the senate
calendar Ii will be debated for some time, ap
pacntly many Southern Senators opposing 1t because
of supposed restriction puts the use OF cotton
seed OIL 1t doubtful if the bill pass the House
of Representatives again, though II seems to nave
fair chance this time of going through The senate.
Mr. Paddock made some brief remarks In its support
All that the bin aimed TO do, he said was in the fst
place to with the subject In the interest OF co
merce. All that it aimed to do was to make IL iii
possible $50 far legislation might DO so) lot any
article of food or drink any drug 10 be sold for wha
1T was not That was all there was In the bill. IL
was unnecessary for him to say word on the con-
stitutional questions involved ali such qlestiOns
had been swept away last session by the passage oil
the Meat Inspection act. which was coreative TO TINS
bin. As 10 objections that might be made !" the Dill
in he interest OF cotonseed OIL he assured senators
that that interest would be helped, not injured by the
passage Of the BILL ~ a.
Mr. Bate made an argument against the bill lie
da NOT spnnose that any Senator would oppose proper
,.ws for preventing the adulteauon and misbrandlng
~ food drink and drugs. But he was one OF tloso
who believed that that should be dohc uroush '''o
proper channel-the State Legislatures ana not '"h
gress He had calculated some on expenses winch
the bill involved found that the pay of Inspectors
and laborers at every railroad station assuming sauo
- no ,.,n miles apart) would amount to over S27,OOo
900 year. ,r
Mr. Paddock said that Massachusetts, had similar
,aw and that IL was administered by seven Inspectors
Mr. Bate took that statement as PROOF Oh INC
correctness of his position-that while inc auhis
n alton OF q state government might NC ''e'P, -
was no end TO the expense when Congress uhoerooA
the IKE matter There might be demand LOT
nure food bill but the proposed measure. ne Itsireu
was ONLY the excuse for impure poucs. III coiclio
on the Agricultural Department possiolhues !" wi
rupt politics by commissioning muiu'uuo VI
n,oves disguised as pure inspectors ana st'uoh
ing them vIdettes along the railroads. ANU "
at places convenient to voting preelhce'
Mr. Coke also opposed the bill 1t attempted an
,tter,x impractcable thing-that OF regulating anu
taking care OF the food. drink ana medche oi o'o
600 people The bill would overrun the country WIN
s,,iee informers. Ana even thch INC "''N"if'
would be failure, for the people OF the United e'"7
wuld never accept the dictm Of Washington bureau
nc to what they could eat drink or what medlcihe
they could use.
Mr. Paddock declared that Mr. Bates estimate
as to the expense administering the bill was most
extrayagant The Secretary OF Agricui,ure ne SAUL
asked for only dcay IT. entire expense lot
a wear on the basis Of the expense OF adulnls'er1hs
a like law In Massachusetts, the cost of administer
ing the pending measure would not exceed S1Oro'
An that the Agricultural Department would have 10
do would be- when complaints are mace; 10 rave ,ho
article, complained OF agnlvzcd The d,a OF hi'lh4
inspectOrs stationed at every railroad sdhon was 10"
an. ,,rd IN lie answered Mr.. Paddock read reSoiu-
tioDs and memorials coming from Lcgsntures sVIe'ls
and organization, IN various parts OF the country III
favor Of the proposed legislation, and ASKED Mr ba's
10 II was NOT better tO undertake 10 90 something IN
tho matter II only on a deterrent plan. AS 10 inc
aesertIon that authorizations could not be pfeVchin
Mr. paddock asked whether the FACT that muIuSfa
and burglares could not be prevented would justly
he failure 10 pass laws for the punishment OF huch
crmce To that query Mr.. Bate replied with another,
whether the fact that the states were unable !"
nrnhjIit murders and burglaries would Justify me zen
eeral Government in trying TO do so IN the states
Without any action the bin, the senate wchb lno
execntIye session, and at 40 Adjourned uhul w