The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-02-05
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Debate ON the Anti-JagshOp Bill and
Immigration Measure.

Associated Press Dispatch.
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4-The session of
the Senate to-day was one of unusual ac-
tivity, with sharp colloquies and vigorous
speeches, which drew large crowds to the
galleries. The ball was set rolling early
in the day when Mr.. Morrill, endeavored to
pass the bill prohibiting the use Of intoxi-
cants in the Capitol building. This
aroused the. opposition of Mr.. Hill. who
denounced the busybodies and mischief
makers inspiring this class of legislation.
The senator spoke for the fullest enjoy
ment of individual liberty consistent with
the common good. The speech was not
only notable for the vigor which Mr.. Hill
threw into 1t, but also for fits effect in
prolonging the debate to 2 o'clock. when
the bill was displaced by the Nicaragua
canal bill.
The immigration bill was recommitted to
conference, Mr. Lodge, in charge of the
measure, adopting this course a result
of urgent appeals for a modification of the
bill. Before this was done, however, n
warm personal and political colloquy oc-
CURED between Mr.. Lodge and Mr.. Chand-
Ter on the one hand and Mr.. German on
the other. The Maryland senator took ex-
ception to recent suggestions of steamship
and corporate influence. and declared there
would be ample opportunity within the
next year for Republican senators to
sist the corporate influences at work after
March 4. In reply Mr.. Chandler asserted
that the Maryland senator had for the
first time turned an immigration debate
into partisan channels. Mr.. Villas added
another day to his speech against the Mic
aragua canal, and had not concluded
when the Senate adjourned.
r.6i sail of in fh<.C Coya
itol Mr. Morrill, said there was much feel
ing throughout the country against it. He
had just received letter stating that the
writer had seen man coming from the
building drunk. While there was misap-
prehension as to the existence of ordinary
saloons in the building. yet. as the public
felt that an evil existed. Congress should
make a strict prohibition.
Mr.. Sherman asked If 1t was right that
any part of this great public building
should be used for the sale of liquor Mr.
Sherman did not believe the public idea
that saloons existed here was, justified.
There was nothing like an ordinary bar
here. But the law should be made strin-
gent so that when man wanted whisky
he would have to go outside the Capitol TO
get it.
BUsYBODIES DENOUNCED
Mr.. Hill came into the debate at this
point. speaking with much vehemence
against the ''busybodies'' and mischief
makers who libelel Congress and inspired
this class of legislation. He had received
many letters, he said, protesting against
this abomination in our national Capitol"
Such statements were false No such thing
as a bar existed here. Mr.. Hill read in
sarcastic tones letter appealing to him
to aid In driving saloons from the Capitol
and thus raise the standard of national
honor. ~ Has our national honor come to
this exclaimed Mr.. Hill, that il de-
pends on whether we take a glass OF ale
or beer with our meals?' This appeal to
foT n1 1.I l.
common device every time some small
question presented itself. But there was
no question OF national honor involved in
this matter There are saloons here
there is no drunkenness here" he said. Il
have never seen drunken man in the Cap
tors that it is a libel on Congress to saw
that saloons are here and drunkenness ex-
lists here 1t It absolutely false"
humorous turn, Mr.. Chandler, Mr.. Calling
er and Mr.. Gray exchanging sallies as to
the effect of the bill in restricting the per-
scnal comfort of senator's.
The roll call on Mr. hilrs motion to COM
init was followed with great interest 1t
was tie at first, but the summoning of
senators defeated the motion-yeas q:
As the vote was announced. Mr.. Hill re-
marked: And having brought the bill be-
fore the Senate, senator's can now proceed
To take a glass or beer He went on to
speak of the hypocrisy of the BILL 1t was
soon evident that the senator would talk
lne measure until = o CLOCK. Hnen
the bill would be cut off by the Nicaragua
canal BILL He spoke of the extremes to
which prohibition legislation had been car
ried and the excessive punishment inflicted.
The violation Of an excise law had, he said
become worse than murder or burglary.
This sort of legislation would not DO. Ii
was unwise. unnecessary. Under il the
venerable senator from Vermont (AiorrilD
could be taken out of the Senate
charge OF violating the excise law. Under
it senators would find on reaching the
chamber some lay that one-half OF their
associates were in the Police Court for vio-
lation of the excise laws.
Mr.. Hill talked up 10 o'clock when the
bill was displaced and the Nicaragua canal
bill was taken up. Before proceeding with
the debate Mr.. Morgan presented a resoIu-