The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-03-05
SENATE PRocEEpINesQ!
Bills Reported From Committees al
Placed on the Calendar.


bills reported from the committees and
placed on the calendar in the Senate this
morning were the following:
To authorize the Norfolk and Western
Railroad Company OF Virginia 70 extend
It's line OF road into the District OF Colum-
| bia. 3"
To anthorfzs the sale Of the site Of St.
Francis barracks at st. Augustine, Fla, and
70 provide for q new site and the con-
struction OF suitable buildings thereon.
To establish ltneal promotion through the
several lines Of artillery, cavalry and in
fantry Of the army.
Mr.. Stanford introduced bill directing
the purchase of silver bullion and the coin
age thereof. It was referred to the finance
committee
Mr.. Walthan offered q resolution. which
was agreed to, directing the committee on
privileges and elections % inquire and con-
slder Whether further legislation is not nee
essary TO put at rest such questions as have
from time TO time arisen out Of the con-
struction or the existing law regulating the
time and manner of holding elections for
United States senators.
Mr.. Gordon offered a resolution for the
| payment 70 the estate Of Alexander II.
| stephens OF Georgia Of the expenses In
| CURED by bin in prosecuting his claim to q
seat In the Senate, in the reconstruction
| pcfAUl. II was referred TO tQe committee
on contingent expenses.
The pure food bill was then taken up and
Mr.. Vest stated at some length his position
In regard TO it, and to such legislation in
general He yielded for a moment to have
the House District OF Columbia apDropria-
ton bill presented and referred to the COM
mlttee on appropriations.
THE SENTIMENT WORKED UP.
Mr. Vest resumed his remarks and
summed them up by saying that he was
aware OF the sentiment worked up all over
the country in support Of the pure food bill
Oranges. alliances ana newspapers had all
demanded, by petition or otherwise, the
enactment Of such bill. He believed that
the constitution of tho United States intend
ed that the inspection and quarantine laws
should be IN the hands Of the states. Ac-
cording 10 bis reading the commerce clause
OF the constitution simply meant to do away
with the evil OF one Of the states excluding
by laws the products OF another state, and
provide that power TO fix the manner of
conducting commerce among the states
should be lodged in congress. He had no
sort OF doubt that the quarantine power
and inspection power were intended to be
left with the states because it was a local
matter, to large extent. and one which
the people OF the states, through legislative
authorities, were most competent TO deter
mine. The pending measure was one of
that breed of bills that grew out of the feel
ing OF paternalism which was spreading
over the country.
PADDoCK's ARGUMENT.
Mr.. Paddock, who 10 in charge Of the
bill, made a long and elaborate argument in
its defense. He had not intended, be said,
to make formal statement. but the very
carefully prepared arguments last week Of
| the senators from Tennessee and Texas,
| (Messrs. Bate and Coke and the argument
to-day OF the senator from Missouri (Mr.
Vesh made it necessary for him to meet
many OF their statements in conclusive
formal aud thorough answer. With that
apology in advances. and in the.hope that the
very great Importance OF the measure under
! consideration would command for him the
attention of the Senate, although that was
somewhat Of vain hope, remem boring the
experience OF the past, he would proceed.
TIE EXPENDITURES IT WOULD ENTAIL.
Mr.. Paddock took up first and replied to
the assertions OF Mr.. Bate as to the enor-
nous expenditures which the bill Ifenacted
into lawl. would entail. Expert
ence under the Massachusetts, law of
Ike character disDroved those assertions
and showed that the expenditures
would be very moderate. AS to the asser-
tion that the bill was aimed particularly at
the cotton seed oil interest, be defied either
Mr.. Bate or Mr.. Coke to point to one pro-
| vision, a line or word In the bill that dis
criminated against any honest and honestly
branded article of food in favor Of any
other such article.
THE CRY OF POLITICS.
AS to the extravaganza criticism lat the
Dill would be used for imaginary political
| purposes 1t was a serious matter, he said,
30 charge. even Indirectly, that those who
were engaged in the formulation and pre-
sentstion of the bill and the great body of
the people who honestly demanded its pas
sage, were moved chiefly by desire to in
augurate, a cheap, nasty, political schsme
for partisan uses. II the bill was of the
character described all who were in
strumental in promoting it must have been
moved by partisan motives. Such was the
logical conclusion of tho assertion. No
other was possible. 1t was refec ion,
therefore, on the state legislatures, boards
| of trade, great commercial associations,
reputable manufacturers and dealers and
thousands of other honored citizens
all over the country who had
Endorsed the measure and agreed to Its pas
sage. That was not the kind of argument
which would satisfy the country that the
senators who made it Were themselves
moved by other than political or selfish mo-
tives.
EULoGIEs ON LEE.
Mr.. Paddock finished his speech at 8
O'Clock and then, on motion Of Mr.. Barbour,
the business Of the Senate was supended in
order that fitting tribute should be paid 60
the memory of wv. Fitzhugh Lee, late
representative from Virginia.
Eulogies on the life and character of
Representative Lee were pronounced by
Messrs Barbour. Pasco, Stewart. Colquitt,
Butler, Dolph and Dauiel. At the close of
Mr. Daniels speech the usual resolutions of
respect were adopted and the Senate, at 4 :25
O'Clock, adjourned until Monday.
THE RIVER AND HARBOR.