Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1896-04-01
CONGRESS WAS ENLIvENED
By Several References to the
Manufacturers Club.
THE SUNDRY CIVIL BILL
Was Considered Yesterday and Caused
Lively Debate.
SENATOR PETERS BOND RESOLUTIONS
Will Be Thoroughly Aired Today Mr.
George Occupied the Time of the Sem
ate yesterday Areu Against
Dupont's Claim.

Washington, March 31--The monotony
of routine consideration of the sundry
civil appropriation bill in committee of
the whole in the house today was en-
livened by several references to some
politico-financial events of recent date.
Mr.. Adams, republican, called attention
to the reports that the representatives
of the Manufacturers club of Philadei-
phia, in conference with certain persons
in Washington, had committed the club
to the free coinage of silver in connec-
ton with protective tariff as a satisfac-
tory platform for the republican party
He sent to the desk and had read the
resolutions adopted last night by the
club as refuting the reports
Mr. Hartman, republican, of Minneso-
ia, said that the published reports were
incorrect; that the silver men were not
responsible for the conference, and that
it had been held at the request of the
club members.
Mr. Allen of Utah confirmed the state
ment that no bargain or agreement had
been reached at the conference.
Then Mr. Pickler, republican, of South
Dakota, had read the financial plank of
the platform adopted by the republican
convention of his state last Wednesday
to dsprove the stories that the republi-
cans there had changed their attitude
towards silver.
In the course of the consideration of
the sundry civil bill attempts were made
to amend it; to increase the appropria-
tion for the salary of the superintendent
of the coast and geodetic survey from
$4,000 to $4,000, the amount fixed by law;
to strike out the appropriation of $4,000
for detecting and Furnishing violations
nf thQ informal laws and to
strike out the appropriation of $19,500 for
food, fuel and clothing for the Indians
on the Pribylof islands, Alaska-an of
which failed.
The usual amendment to strike out of
the bill the provisions for detecting and
bringing to trial and punishment persons
guilty of violation of the internal revenue
laws and authorizing the commissioner
of internal revenue to pay for the arrest
and detection of such violators was made
by Mr.. Linney, republican, of North Car
olina.
Mr.. Tate of Georgia moved to strike
out the words Including payments for
information and detection of such VIOLA
tions.'
Mr.. Evans, republican, of Kentucky,
a former commissioner of Internal reve-
nue., antagonized the amendments, say
ing the provision was the most import
ant in the bill. He was followed by Mr..
Sayers, democrat, of Texas, who asked
congressional directories and learn who
represented the Fifth and Eighth dis
tricts of North Carolina on the floor of
the house. He did not recall their
names. but believed they were numbered
with the majority The commissioner of
internal revenue, said Mr.. Sayers, report
ed that in the last six months of 1895 six
ty-eight Illicit distilleries were seized in
the Fifth district Of North Carolina.
What are these men doing ?" inquired
l.@II OQt Cot
est portion of the country, turning into IL
licit whisky corn that they should use
to feed their famlies-violating the law"
Besides the distileries there were seiz-
ed within the district in the same period
65S fermenters and $4,000 gallons of
ed. In the Eighth district of
North Carolina there were LOG distilleries,
755 fermenters, $4,000 gallons of beer and
II 900 gallons of spirits seized and de-
stroyed.
Mr.. Sayers then paid his attention to
the Ninth district of Georgia, represent
ed by Mr.. Tate. In the past six months
there were seized and destroyed in that
district 299 Illicit distilleries, 3645 gallons
of spirits and 292, 900 gallons of beer.
'And how does Virginia stand on this
matter?" asked Mr. Sayers The moth
er of presidents, the state of Jefferson
and Madison, is represented on this
floor by gentlemen of character and abil-
1IY. Inc report SIOWtu lHdt III tiic iilly
districts of the state SO distlleries, 5000
gallons of spirits, 900 fermenters and TO-
900 gallons of beer had been seized and
destroyed in the past six months
Gentlemen" he continued. must not
imagine that the only violations of the
law are in the states named" partic-
u1arly fragrant case in New York city
was named by Sayers, wherein the vio-
lators paid to the government 1000 in
fines and penalties.
f1.a f1axx.
me to state. that better returns to the
government result from this appfopria-'
tion than from any other in any appro-
-priation bill?
MIR. Livingston, democrat, of Georgia
Under the appropriate private houses
are broken open and entered and closets
examined without warrant. Does the
gentleman from Texas approve of thati
Will he add a proviso to the item that
all examinations and investigations con-
Quoted under its authority shall be only
in due process of law?
Mr.. Sayers-That would only be to ad-
yertise the coming of the officer and the
chances are nine out Of ten that he would
never reach the house alive.
Mr.. Sayers said that hardly week
passed without the publication of the
murder of some man. shot through the
window while sitting at his fireside-
When inquiry was made as to the identl-
~ of the assassin twas found that some
one suspected of moonshining had disap-
peared from the country.
Mr. LInney advocated the amendment
He said that no similar amount of money
was ever the cause of so much corruption
as this appropriation of s50.00O He de
nounced the dispensary system, which
the appropriation fostered; 1t was
neainsf public policy and ought. not to
be continued.
Mr. Swanson, democrat. of Virginia
favored the amendment, as did also Mr.
Skinner, popnlIst. of North Carolina. ana
Mr. Mitchell republican of Tennessee
Mr. Layton, democrat of Ohio. in OPP
posing the amendment said that official
reports showed that 1900 distilIeries had
been sseized and destroyed In the past six
months nnder the operation of the pro-