The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-01-21
HOUSE PROCEEDINGS.

Washington. Jan. ll.-1hc house 10
day devoted considerable time on the
Grout bill to make olcomargnrlne ana
other imitation dairy products subject to
the laws of the state or territory into
which they are transported. An arrange
mcnt was agreed to to extend the debate
AN hour and half, and then take n
vote.
Mr.. Cooper (dcm) of Florida opposed
the bjll. He argued that il would take
away from congress the right to rcgu-
late commerce between the states. Con
gress had nbrogatcd its power IN the case
of whisky. That was. perhaps, dc-
feasible, but the moment congress dele
gated this power in the case of another
product interstate commerce would be
dcmoraizcd. The precedent would ARISE
TO plague congress in the future ana lrad
10 infinite confusion.
Mr.. Northway (rcpJ of Ohio argued IN
favor of the bill, saying that the people
of one state should not be allowed To
import into another state and sell therein
products which the people of that state
could not themselves put upon the mar
kct
Mr.. Lacey (rcpD of Iowa called the
attention of Mr.. Williams (dcm.) of Mis-
sissippi, who was in charge of the oppo-
siton to the bill, 10 the fact that the
state Of Mississippi prohibited the sale
of olcOmargnrinc except when branded ns
such. lie said that the states certainly
should have the right, and had the right,
10 regulate the sale of adultcrnted food
products Just Ms they had right to
regulate the sale of whisky and tobacco.
Mr.. Cannon (rcp) of Illinois insisted
that olcomargarinc was not dclctcriols
food product. was. in fact more whole
some than thrcc-fourths of the butter sold
in the United States. If the principle of
this bill were applied, he said, all those
manufacturers could he barred from sale
in other states.
Mr.. Haincr lrcpJ of Nebraska support
ed the bill. He said that m per cent OF
the 10,OOO,OOO pounds OF oleomargarihc
which annually invaded the domain of
the genuine dairy product was sold ms
butter. The dairy interests had right
TO protection from this counterfeit
product
Mr.. Bontncr (drm) of Louisiana said
the advocates of the bill were proceeding
ON the theory that oleomargnrinc was n
cheat and was dClctcrious to the public
health. If this were true, h. declared
the dairy interests would not need To
come to congress- as the states had n
perfect right in the exercise of their
police power To intcrdct the sale OF
something which threatened the health
of her citizens,
Mr.. Clardy rcp) of Kentucky and Mr.
Williams (dcm) OF Tennessee also spoke
against the bill aud Mr.. Willis (rcpJ of
Delaware and Mr.. Grosycnor lrcpl of
Ohio spoke in favor of IL. The latter
closed the general debate. In the course
of his remarks. he said it was II peculiar
comment on the march of political oppo-
nents to see old line democrats, who had
in the past defended state rights with the
an hn nf
states were tied and that congress had
the power to force in the state, against
her protest, articles which she did not
desire sold there.
Mr.. Grout, in charge of the hill, of
fercd an amendment providing that
nothing in the act shall be construed
into permitting any state 10 forbid the
manufacture or sale of oicOmargarinc in
such manner us will advise the Gus
toner of its real character"
Mr.. CIRCUITS amendment was adopted
The bill was then passed l26 10 81
The presidents veto of the hill To
create II new division of the eastern judi
cial district of Texas was laid before the
house and was referred to the judiciary
committee.
The Indian appropriation hill was re-
ported,
A resolution was adopted. on motion of
Mr.. Fitzgerald (dcml of Massachusetts.
calling ON the secretary of the navy for
an estimate of the money which would h.
required TO place the frigatc Constitution
In such worthy condition uS would
enable her To- make the trip from Ports.
mouth TO Washington. The object of
bringing her TO Washington. he said.
was 10 preserve ana use her as a naval
nuscum
Among the pension bills PASSED was
me granting 4 pension of $50 pcr month
A. Martha Gusts Carter. widow of IN,
late Rear Admiral :. L. Carter.
The house adjourned ut $50 u. m.