New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-02-20

AGAINST THE LIQUOR IlAfilC ON NH'"'
ISLAND AND FOR A SUNDAY REST LAW
IN THE DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA
OTHER BUSINESS IN THE SENATE.
Washington, Feb. l9-The crusaders in the cause
OF temperance reform ar. Of Sunday rest laws were
severely criticised in the Senate to-day by MI HiH
dem ~ W NJ. Hill called attention to an ac-
emulation of petitions or :he same printed lorh
received by him within TIE last ten days against inc
sale OF beer on Ellis Island In newborn Hafpor'
where immigrants lanl having A demoralzing
effect on the immigrants. and on Badiows ls4ahu'
as Injurious to the men stationed there. He SAD
that he could not very we'll see that the sale OF
beer to immigrants on Els Island could De "i
grea. injury TO TIRE temperance cause. or could nave
any serious effect TIE health ana lives Oh the
immigrants On ths contrary. he was disposed 10
think that a glass CT beer welcome thing 10
those immigrants The vas, effort which wei.-
meaning but misguided people put forth In flooding
Congress with these petitions showed the crusading
spirit. the extreme paternalsm or the extreme
Rooseveltsm of these people
He had also received lot of petitions from vari-
Gus places In New-York for a Sunday rest law for
the District OF Columbia. 1t was difficult for him
to exactly how the people Of his State were IN
terested in a Sunday law In the District OF columbia
unless they desired to affect regulate the conouct
Of their Senator's and members OF Congress lie
suggested that the rue should be changed SO that
hour. should be placed in a box kept for the pur-
pose or be handed TO the secretary There was
mania for the presentation Of such petitions, espe-
cially on temperance subjects He even found some
against the sale OF cider. which were evidently In
tended for the New-York Legislature; and that
showed the carelessness with which this petition
business was conducted. He gave notice OF mo-
tion 10 change the rule on the subject
The Diplomatic and Consular Appropriation Dill
was passed. and the conference report on the Cr-
gent Deficiency bill was agreed TO-
Mr. Wolcott Rep.. Cold. chairman Of the Post
Office Committee reported bill TO prevent the send
ing through the mails by any department OF the
Government Of matter weighing more than four
pounds. except written or printed matter He spoke
of the great abuse OF sending through the mails
typewriting and other machines
Mr. Allen (Pop.. Neb) introduced a bill regulating
the disposal of Pacific Railroad lands, and II was
referred to the Pacific Railroads Committee
A Joint resolution 10 revive the grade Of Leuten-
ant-General of the United States Army was in
troduced By, Mr.. Elkins dtep. " ya1. r...-,..
Senate bill regulate marriages In the District
Of Columbia was taken from the calendar for con-
MIR Vest Dem. MOI called attention to pro
vision in the bin fixing marriageabe age for both
the other states the age for women was eighteen.
AS matter of course the object was TO prevent
OF eighteen has not come to manageable age was
rather strained conclusion
bill conceded in that view. and said that he had
drawn up the bill originally with the woman's age
fixed at eighteen, but the views Of the Commit tee
the District Of Columbia were adverse to his
that point
Another objection to the bin made by Mr.. Hoar
Rep.. Massj was that 1t made no provision for
civil marriages. Quakers might probably be treat
ed as religious society; ana marriage under their
rules might be authorized under the provisions Of
the bill: but there other persons who deemed
marriage civil right, not sacrament, and who
had the same rights He suggested that the bill
lie over until IL could be amended in these par
tculars. Mr.. Faulkner consented to that, and the
bill went over after Mr.. Vest had. offered an
amendment to make the for women eighteen.
The remainder of the days session was spent
in the passage Of private pension bills. A bill
giving a. pension Of SIS q month to the widow Of
Senator Spencer. Of Alabama. led to rather
angry alteration between Senators Allen and
Cali. who. to the great amusement OF the galleries
denounced each other 'plutocrats." Finally
the bill recommltted to the Committee on
Pensions 1890 -,
4 bin granting a pension Of SEQ a month to the
os briRader general with an amendment
ma King II 5000, went over without action as Mr.
Voorhees dem Ind), who had originally intro:
6uced the bill but who was absent to-day. desired
10 oppose the amendment.
A Xii was also passed for the payment OF a
vsar.s salary 10 the widow Of Isaac II. Bassett the
yeteran assistant doorkeeper Of the Senate. 4,
Ar BIO D. m, after short executive session. th'
Senate adjourned until tomorrow