The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-01-26
FIFTY.SECOND CONGRESS.
SENATOR wOLcoTr Is DOWN ON THE
COLUMBIAN STAMP.
Wants It Withdrawn From Use-Interstatt
Commerce Bill -Anu-0ptions The
House Worked all Day on the Ma
tionsl Quarantine Bill
SENATE.

Columbian postage stamp was Vlgor-
ously attacked in the senate today by
Senator Wolcott of Colorado, who
called up the joint resolution direct
ing the discontinuance of the stamp.
In brief but decidedly breezy speech
Senator Wolcott ridiculed the post
master generals mercantile idea that
large profit might be made from
their sale to stamp collect
ors. An idea, he said, that NIGH
suit some Central American state
that was "a few thousand dollars
short" He was unwilling to have
unloaded ON stamp collectors the
"cruel and unusual stamp" and
rather approved of the physician's
idea that 1t might be used as "chest
protector" The senators enjoyed the
speech and the joint resolution would
have been passed instantly had not
the chairman of the postofiice commit
tee, Senator Sawyer of Wisconsin,
made an objection, which sent it to
that committee.
The house substitute concerning the
testimony under the interstate COM
merce law was non 1oncurred in and
q conference asked. The senate spent
an hour and half In executive
business. After the doors were
reopened the bill to authorize
the Southern Kansas railway COM
pany to construct and maintain O
pipe line from the north fork of the
Canadian river, Indian Territory, to
the railroad was passed.
The anti.option bill was then taken
up, the question being on Senator
Villas amendment to Senator Georges
substitute, and Senator George of
Mississippi continued his argument
against the proposed amendment and
In favor of his own substitute. The
substitute differs from the Washburn
bill in emitting all taxation sections
of the latter and inserting In lieu of
them sections declaring dealings in
options and futures restrictions to and
restraints upon commerce illegal and
void, and misdemeanors punishable
with fine and imprisonment. Senator
George, after some hours speaking,
said he would prefer to cOntinne his
remarks Monday. Acting on that
hint the senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The feature of the session of the
house today was the consideration of
the national quarantine bill. 1t was
ushered In by an eloquent speech
from Congressman Raynor of Mary
land, who depicted the danger immi-
nent TO the people of this country from
unrestricted immigration and who
urged upon the house the necessity of
agreeing to some national law which
would protect the United States from
invasion of its most deadly enemy,
cholera. There were few constitu.
tional objections raised against the
measure, but outside of Mr.. Raynor's
speech, and few remarks made by
Mr.. Cochran and Mr.. Lodge
there was little interest manifested
in the bill. A colloquy between
Mr.. Grain of Texas and Raynor gave
rise to some excitement and good deal
OF amusement. Although Mr.. Ray
nor was quicker In reparteo than Mr..
Grain, the applause was pretty evenly
divided.
On motion of Mr.. Stump of Mary
land an amendment was adopted to
the section authorizing the president
to detail medical officer to serve in
the office of the consul of any foreign
port for the purpose OF furnishing in
formation and giving bills of health.
The amendment restricts the authori-
cation of the president to the period
during which contagious or infectious
diseases are prevalent al sucn
port. Then Mr.. Stump Of
cred an amendment to the
fret section of the bill, reported
by him, from the committee on immi-
grafton 1t provides that no alien inn
migrant be permitted to land at any
port of the United States, who has
bee quarantiued at port of depar-
ture, five to seven days Immediately
proceeding the day of embarkation.
Rejected. The section provides that
the marine hospital service shall CO.
operate with and aid the state and
municipal boards of health in the
execution of their rules and rules
made by the secretary of treasury to
prevent the introduction of contagious
or infectious diseases, was the next
bone OF contention.
Three Texas members, Grain, Say.
ers and Anthony, were on their feet
with amendments and Crane was re-
cognized. He moved to strike
out the clause which authorizes the
secretary o the treasury to make
quarantine regulations at such ports
where quarantine regulations exist
under authority of the state or NUM-
cipslity which lin the opinion of the
secretary is not sufficient to prevent
the Introduction ofcontagious diseases
into the United States or into one
state from another.
Mr.. Bowers of California, inquired
whether the effect of the amendment
was not to make state authority para
mount to the authority of the United
States. Mr.. Grains reply was to the
effect that the state ION question like
this) ought to be paramount. Amend
ment rejected. /
MIR. Cochran offered an amenment
that nothing in the act be
to authorize any federal Of
fioers to relax, modify or suspend any
rule, precaution or regulation adopted
by any state or municipality for the
b. h "a