The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1896-03-26
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS

Washington. March 24.-Over 100
members have taken advantage of the
fact that the house has no important mat
tiers pending at this time to go home, and
the attendance in consequence is very
slim. The bill which was debated yes
terday to abolish the death penalty in
certain cases in which it is prescribed
in the Federal statutes and allowing the
jury to return Il verdict qualified with
out capital punishment" in cases of rape
and murder, was passed-170 to 60.
Mr.. Hit, chairman of the foreign af-
fairs committee, called up the measure
of the senate announcing the senate's
disagreement of the conference report on
the Cuban resolutions.
On his motion the house insisted on
its substitute for the senate resolutions
and agreed to the further conference
asked for by the senate. The house con-
ferees were not Immediately announced.
Mr. Boutelle, chairman of the naval COM
mittee, reported the navy appropriation
bill.
The speaker appointed the following
conferees on the Cuban resolutions:
Mr.. Hit, Mr.. Adams and Mr.. Nc
Creary Oem) of Kentucky.
There being no other business before
the house the committees were called.
Mr.. Evans Rep) of Kentucky called
up lIOlu Tic Oh ways anu
means bill to amend section 3449 of
the internal revenue laws so as to make
the sale of spirituous liquors, except I'M
der the brand which were known to the
trade designating the kind and quality,
punishable by q fine of $500 and impris-
Onment for six months and the forfeiture
of the liquors.
Mr.. Evans objected that the bill was
urged by the internal revenue commits
sion. The public, he said was being
swindled by spurious liquors and wines.
Mr. Cummings Oem) of New York
made a speech in which he urged the
ton to the revenue but as conducive to
the safety of human life. He instanced
q case where he had purchased "for a
sick friend" a particularly good quality
of brandy, which the physicians, ON
said would kill at 40 rods. 1t
he said of a compound OF wood
alcohol, whisky and strychnine. Cheat
ing the revenue was bad enough, Mr.
Cummings said. but destroying life for
the benefit of whisky distillers was not
to be tolerated.
Mr.. Connolly Rep.) of Illinois was in
sympathy with the purpose of the bill
but objected to the word knowingly" as
qualifying the sellers of those spurious
liquors. That word would, he contended,
furnish the loop hole by which offenders
could escape conviction.
Mr.. Evans proposed to withdraw the
word, but Mr.. Crisp Dem) of Georgia
objected, declaring he would never vote
for law which made a man liable to
penalties for crime which he did not
knowingly" commit
This law would effect every dealer in
The land and the onus of proof ought,
hor IN ha on 70
Mr.. Evans replied that no internal
'evenue law contained the word know
ngly." No dealers in spurious liquors
Gould do so without knowing exactly
what he was doing. The word know
ngly" was stricken from the bill, 20 to
IS, and the bill was passed.
The senate joint resolution for the
disposition of certain property now in the
lands of the receivers of the church of |
sus Christ of Latter Day Saints was
ldopted.
Other bills called up by the judiciary |
ommttee were passed as follows:
To make railroad corporations, for the
purpose of jurisdiction, citizens of the
,tates through which they pass and to
make it unlawful to shoot or throw any
Missile at a locomotive or car engaged in
commerce.
When the committee on military affairs
vas called there was feeble echo of the
,ar talk raised by the presidents Vene-
uela message. 1t will be remembered
hat the senate at that time passed Sen
tor Hills bill removing the restriction
D appointment in the army or navy OF
ny persons who held commissions in
he army or navy before the rebellion and
Tho subsequently engaged in insurrec-
on against the United States.
Mr.. Hill, chairman Of the committee,
aid this bill would remove the restric-
on on the statute books against eX-Con-
aderate soldiers. The debate that fol- ,
WED was both interesting and enter
inning. .
Mr.. BoutelIe took the floor in opposi-
on to the bill. He did not hold COM
lission from the Union soldiers, he said,
nd represented nobody but himself. I
tut he could see no reason for the pas
lge of this bill. The sentiment behind 1t
as very beautiful, but what practical a
nrpose would it subserve? Was there $
ny officer who could be commissioned i
nder it?
Mr.. Boutelle, proceeding, declared that /