The morning call., 1892-12-21
GAMBLING IN GRAIN.
Senator Palmer on Federal In
reference i'm the States.
Nothing Can Be Accomplished in That
Way and the Democracy Will
Not Tolerate IL.
Special to The MORNING. CALL.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-In the Senate
the army appropriaiica bill from the House
was presented and referred to the Commit
tee on Appropriations.
large number OF petitions for and
against the anti-OptiOn bill were presented
and referred TO the Committee on Agri-
culture.
Sherman introduced a bill to extend 10
the North Pacific Ocean the provisions Of
the statutes for the protection of far seals
and other fur-bearing animals Referred to
the Committee on Foreign Relations.
resolution for the assembling of both
houses on February &. TO witness and count
the electoral vote, was presented and re-
ferred.
The MeGarrahan bill was laid aside, aud
the House bill for the sale CT the navy-yard
lands in Brooklyn WAS passed.
The bill introduced by Bate OF Tennessee
TO repeal all statutes relating to supervisors
OF elections and special deputies was taken
up, and Bate made an argument in its ,yor
These laws, he said, had been in operation
over twenty years and had not yet recon-
cied the peopl to their harsh interference
With affairs belonging exclusively 10 the
States. 1t was not surprising that the late
political revolutions had swept from power
for interfering with elections in the States.
The force pill bad been potent in the late
overthrow OF the Republican party. Tie
law which he proposed 10 have repealed
was the germ of the force bill. These laws
had no constitutional warrant, served no
good end and their remaining on the
statute-books was in direct disregard of the
spirit and purpose OF the late elections and
the peace and quiet of the country The
bill went over without action.
After a brief struggle, the attempt OF
Blackburn of Kentucky TO displace the anti
option bill with the Hudson River bridge
bill was Ineffective, and the former was
taken up.
Palmer OF Illinois addressed the Senate
IN opposition to the bill. lie argued that
the meaning and effect of the proposed bill
was 10 give collectors OF internal revenue
absolute authority over all contracts made
by any persons for the sale and future de-
livery of property. 1t gave most extensive
and alarming jurisdiction to collectors of
internal revenue. II gave them, in fact,
authority to look into the business of eyerv
and any man 10 the cOuntry-a power which
heretofore was only permitted under very
limited and restricted circumstances-fo
mere revenue purposes The bill was also
Objectionable on broader grounds. No Sem
ator, he apprehended. would risk his repu-
tatiOn as a lawyer and a legislator by
claiming that Congress possessed the power
to prohibit dealings in options on
futures in the States. The attempt, how
ever. was but thinly disguised In the bill to
thrust the jurisdiction of the Federal Gov
ernment into the States to define and punish
crimes. The Senator who called the bill
revenue measure knew that the term was
misn omer, because there Is no purpose 10
raise revenue under the bill. The Demo-
cratic party, when il comes into power, will
not tolerate fraud of the character of the
pending bill Gambling in the States will
never be prohibited by Federal action, but
the Democratic party will endeavor to sup
press such vices by State action. After
further argument in the same line, but
without concluding his speech, Mr.. Palmer
yielded the floor. the anti-opton bill going
over without action.
In executive session the Senate confirmed
the nomination Of Z. 5. Grosscup as United
States District Judge for the Northern Dis
trict of Illinois; Silas Alexander to ,be Sec
retary for New Mexico. and c. S. Lyman to
be Postmaster at Yuba City, Cal