St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1893-01-06
ANTI-OPTION SPEECH.
Villas Delivers a Powerful
One on Washburn's Pet
Measure.
He Opposes the Bill Because
1t Invades the Rights
OF States.
It Involves the Character
isties Of the Most Odious
PaternaliSm.
Fortifieations Appropriation
Bill Gets Safely Through
the House.

WASHINGTON. Jan. 5.-The feature of
today's session Of the senate was the
speech delivered by Villas. of Wis
cOnSin, against the anti-Option bill. For
nearly three hours he held the undivided
attention of the supporters and oppo-
nents Of the measure, while he stated
in prepared argument, delivered with
great earnestness and impressiveness,
the constitutional objections which, In
his opinion, precluded the possibility OF
its passage by the senate. He opposed
the bill because it was unconstitutional,
and to that objection he directed mainly
his remarks. 1t was not merely that the
bill was unconstitutional in transcend
ing the proper limits Of congressional
power, but it directly invades the sover-
eighty and peculiar governmental func-
tons Of the states. 1t was step,
fragrant advance to Capitalization. 1t
involved. in his opinion, the character
istics of the most odiouS paternalIsm.
No one claimed it to be revenue meas
ure. 1t might be summed up, aDso-
lutely. as beyond question that the
ODJ6cl anu Dul pOoC VI lIiO hi\'oAhS "s,S
Not TO Raise ReVenues
but to apply the federal power with hy-
dlaulic pressure to the determination OF
the now universal method of making
sales of the enumerated articles. lie
dealt with the bill as it had relation to
the legitimate transactions which were
based upon and supported by the laws
of every state in the Union.
Mr.. Washburn asked Mr.. villas
whether contracts would be enforced by
any court when the facts were aDSo-
lutely brought out that neither party to
them expected delivery OF tue article.
Mr.. Vilas-Clearly not: and nothing
that have TO say in this debate Will
have the least reference to any Sucn
contracts, except to distinguish them
entirely and set them apart from those
with which this bill is CHIEFLY con-
cerned.
mir. Washburn-Then 95 per cent of
such transactions would not he enforced
by the courts, because 50 per cent OF the
transactions on produce exchanges and
cotton exchanges are precisely OF the
character and are so recognized the
world over.
MIR. Vilas-I should like to ask the
senator whether he would accept all
amendment which shall limit the effect
OF this bill to such contracts as Doth
parties intend shall not be followed by
delivery OF the article?
Washburn Hes1tates.
Mr.. Washburn with some hesltationl
No, do not think | would, because
do not think it would be effective. |
think 1t would be evaded. l think it
would be a rope of sand. | do not
think it would amount to anything.
Mr.. Vilas-If that cannot be done
then the distinguished senator must adj
nit, with reference to the subjects
which this bill seeks to cover, that there
is line of division; on one side are
gambling contracts, and on the other
side are legitimate future contracts,
which the courts of the state will en-
force and maintain. The senator mods
his head in admission of the proposition.
Now, once again, | say that with the
gambling contracts on the black side OF
| the line | have no further dealing, eX-
| cept to say that the constitutional power
| of congress is just as liable 10 be evoked
| for that purpose as the other. But ad-
| dress my argument particularly TO the
| lawful contracts on the other SIDE OF
| that line of division; and think may
| safely uSCIdlG Illdt COuSA 90 il"o nv - ~
| to enter the domain of state to pro-
hibit its citizens the privilege OF making
| contracts expressed and designated to
he entirely performed within the state,
and sanctioned by the laws OF the states.
Violates the Constitution.
Mr.. Villas proceeded with his constl-
| tuti0nal argument against the bill, de-
| livering his speech with such earnest
| ness of manner as to command the
| closest attention from senators on both
| sides of the chamber. He declared, III
| conclusion, that from the moment the
bill was proposed there had
been no hour when he could bring him.
self to believe that, i'll the final Judg-
ment of the senate, its constitutional
| power would be aroused i'll matter
SO perilous, so menacing to the
lines and foundation course OF
the wall on which the government
| of the United States rested. he SUBJ
mitted with confidence that such Ylo-
lation of the constitution was simply
! impossible at the hands OF the senate.
At later day, in the course OF debate,
he would ask indulgence TO submit some
! observations in regard to another point
in the bill. As he closed his remarks
there was slight outburst OF applause,
and the Wisconsin senator received
| CONGRATULATIONS from many OF his
brother senators. The senate then, ar
ter short executive session, adjourned.
The bill has gone over till Monday heXt,
tomorrow and Saturday having been sci
apart for the consideration OF the two
bills in relation 10 quarantine and I'M
|