The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1893-01-06

WASHINGTON, D. o., Jan, 5,-The fea'
turo OF to-day's session OF the senate
was the speech delivered by Mr., Villas
Dem,), Of Wisconsin, against the anti
option bill. For nearly three hours he
held the undivided attention Of the
supporters and opponents Of the meas
ure while he stated, in a prepared ar
rument, delivered with great earnest
ness and impressiyeness. the Coustitu'
tlOnal objections which, in his opinion
procludod tho possibility Of its passage
by tho senate. He denounced IT as a
aagrant advance to Capitalization and
NJ involving the characteristics OF the
most odious ppternaiism, 81
Il was not merely that the bill was
unconstitutional in transcending the
proper limits OF congressional power,
butit directly invaded tho sovereignty
and peculiar governmental functions oil
the states,
No ono claimed it to be revenue
measure. And 1t must be summed up
Absolutely as beyond question that the
object and purpose Of the measure was
moi 10 raise revenue, but to apply the
federal power, as with hydraulic pros
'ure, to the determination OF the now
universal method OF making sales OF the
enumerated articles. He dealt with the
bill as it had relation to the legitimate
transactions which were based upon
and supported by the laws OF every
state inth union.
Nj. Wash6urn, (Rep.l'ot Minnesota,
asked MIR. Villas whether contracts
would be enforced by any court when
the facts were absolutely brought out
hatneither party to them expected a
delivery Of the articles, .,
Mr. Vilas-0learly not, and nothing l
will have to say in this debate will have
the least reference to such contracts.
except 10 distinguish them entirely and
sttI,em apart from those with which
this bill is chiefly concerned.
Nr, Washburn-Then 95 per cent OF
such transactions would not be en-.
forced BY the courts, for 05 per cent OF
the transactions on produce exchange
and cotton exchanges arc precisely OF
that character and are so recognized
thOworld over.
M. Vilas-T should like to ask the
senator whether he would accept an
amendment which shall limitthe effect
Of this bill to such contracts which the
parties intend shall not be followed by
delivery OF the article.
Mr. Washburn with some hestta'
tion)-No l do not think would,
because don't think 1t would be ettec.
tive. think 1t would be evaded. |
think it would be a rope ,of sand. |
don't think 1t would amount to any
thing,
MI. vilas-It that cannot be done,
then the distinguished senator must ad-
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 states will en-
force and maintain. The senator mods
bis head in admission OF the PROPOSE
ton. Now, once again, say that with
the gambling contracts on the black
sidO OF the line have no further deal
Ing, except to cay that the constitu-
tiOnal power Of Congress is just as liable
TO be invoked for that purpose as the
other. But address my argument par
tcularly to tho law, for the contracts
on the other side Of that line Of diYis-
ion, and l think IL may DO safely de-
Clared that Congress has no right TO
enter the domain OF state to prohibit
its citizens the privilege OF making con-
tracts expressed and designed to be en-.
titely performed within the state, and
sanctioned by the laws OF tho state.
Mr. Villas proceeded with his con-
titulional argument against the bill,
delivering his speech with such earnest
ness OF manner as to command the
closest attention from senators on both
lldes Of the chamber.
The senate then, after q short execu'
i've session, adjourned.
IN THE HOUSE.
The second general appropriation bill
tOpass the house this session was the
lo.day without amendment on the
llirhiest debate Sir. Bfeckinridqe, Of
Henmckv had II in oharro md he
,tecred ibe crnft into mort without
meeting will Snv adverse wind.
4 iew nrivate nension Bills werc
passed md iho house ndiourned without
sOuornm ' ~ ~
In snoSiir, ~ ona ~ tha hills whera
Tho penSion hnrcnH had denled the
pen,Eon 'S,J nSrod .'S for NJ RIS,,I % fTom ~
Ni.somri said thnt iho honsH should
ENCOURAGE % cverv dsnsrtment In actinr
In strict cnmniIonca with tho snirIt and
leItor Of N" Ia% % I. wna The habit AZ
nembSrS ~ iSS ihc innartmants with
exlroTo liz. ssii.,. W. ,in, ,,av o..