The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-12-22
FIFTY-SECoND CONGRESS
SENATOR PALMER SPOKE AGAINST
THE ANrI-oPTIoN BILL.
The Venerable Senator Objects to the Meas
ure Generally, But Especially to the Civ
ing Revenue Officers Access to Busi-
ness Secrets Of Individuals.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 2O.-After the
routine morning business was dispos-
ed of In the senate today the appro-
priation bill from the house was pre-
sented and referred to the committee
on appropriation. Some unimportant
business was then transacted, when
the senate proceeded to executive
business, confirming the following
nominations: Peter 3. Grosscnp,
United states district judge for the
northern district of Illinois; Silas
Alexander, Secretary of New Mexico.
Postmasters for Texas: Mcdonald
Campbell, Jefferson; E. A. Robertson,
Taylor.
Senator Faulkner of West Virginia
offered resolution (agreed toy calling
on the attorney general for informa-
tion as 10 Indian depreciation claim 9.
The bill introduced by Senator
Bate of Tennessee on Dec. 9th to re-
peal all statutes relating to super
vision of elections and special depu-
ties, was taken up, and Senator Bate
argued In Its favor. The bill then
went over without action.
Senator Black of Kentucky
moved to proceed to the consideration
OF the Hudson river bridge bill.
Senator Wash burne, of Minnesota,
asked whether II the motion prevail
ed the anti.option bill did not lose its
place of privilege as unfinished bust
ress. Presiding Officer Harris, of
Tennessee, stated that IL would. Af-
ter q short debate vote was taken
and Black kburn's motion was rejected,
yeas 13; Lays IA.
The anti-option bill was then taken
up and Senator Palmer, of Illinois,
addressed the senate explaining and
defen, ing his objections to the bill.
He argued that the meaning and ef-
feet of the proposed bill was to give
to collectors of internal revenue abso.
lutte authority over all contracts
made by any person for the sale and
future delivery of property. 1t gave
the most extensive and alarming
jurisdiction to collectors Of internal
revenue. 1t gave them authority to
looE into the business OF every and
any man in the country, power
which had been heretofore only per-
mitted under very limited and re-
4tricted circumstances for mere reve.
nue. pur poses. The bill was objection
able on broad grounds. He heard
much of the right Of states and he sup
posed no party was prepared
to say that the federal government
could interfere In the exercise of police
powers. The bill resorts to q rick,
expedlent, sUbterfuge or circumlocu-
tion of being put In the form of rev.
enue law, and in that way 1t was
sought to find power to prohibit OPP
tions or define and punish sales for
future delivery. After further argu-
ment I'm the same line but without
concluding his speech Senator Palmer
yielded the Il Dor, the anti-option bill
going over without action, and the
senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
In the house today under special
order the floor was accorded to the
committee on public lands which,
through its chairmsn, McRae, called
up the bill adjusting the claims of
Arkansas and other states under the
swamp land act. No action WAS taken
on the bill, no quorum being secured
to vote on 1t, and the house adjourned.
PINKERToN INVESTIGATIONS.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 20.-A meeting
of the sub committee on Judiciary
charged with investigating the al
legged illegal use of Pinkerton men at
Homestead was productive of showing
that no two members agreed as 70 the
character OF the report to be made to
the full committee.