The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1897-02-11
IN1ONCAA1S IN CAPITOL BUILDING.
The Bill to Prohibit Vigorously oppoSeu
by Senator Hill-Immigratlon Bill
Sent Back to Conference
House Proceedings.

L
Mr.. Morrill, endeavored to pass the oil! {
prohibiting the use of intoxcants in the
capitol building. This aroused the OPP
position of Mr.. Hill of New York, who
denounced the busy-bodies and mischief
makers inspiring this class of legislation
The senator spoke for the fullest ENJOY
mcnt of individual liberty, consistent with
the common good The speech was not
only notable for the vigor which Mr.. Hill
threw into it. but for its effect in pro-
longing the debate until p. H., when the
bill was displaced by the Nicaraguan
canal bill.
The immigration bill was rccommittcd
10 conference, Mr.. Lodge, in charge OF
the measure, adopting this course as a
result of urgent appeals for .modilca-
ton of the bill. Before this was done,
however, personal and political colloquy
occurred between Mr.. Ledge and Mr..
Chandler on one hand and Mr.. German
on the other. The Maryland senator
took exception TO recent efforts of steam
ship and corporation influences and de-
clared there would be ample opportunity
within the next year for republican sena-
tors to resist the corporate influence at
work after March 1.
In reply, Mr.. Chandler said that the
Maryland senator had for the first time
turned an immigratica debate into parti-
san channels.
Mr.. Villas added another day To his
speech against the Nicaraguan canal and
had not concluded when the senate adj
journed.
Regarding the sale of liquor in the cap
itol, Mr.. Morrill, said there was much
feeling throughout the country against it..
He had just received letter stating that
the writer had seen Il man coming from
the building drunk. While there was
misapprchension as 10 the existence of
ordinary saloons in the building yet as
the public felt that an evil existed. con-
grcss should make strict prohibition.
Mr.. Sherman asked if it was right that
any part of this great public building
should be used for the sale of liquor.
Mr.. Sherman did not believe the pub
lie idea that saloons. existed here was
JuNtlhtb' Htlt uS IlDlIlllS llht ull or
binary bar here. But the law should
be made stringent. so that when man
wanted whisky he should have to 90 out
side the capitol to get it.
MIR. Hill came into the debate ut this
point, speaking with much vehcmence
against the "busy-bodies" and mischief
makers" who libellcd congress and in
spircd 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 bar existed here.
Mr.. Hill read in sarcastic tones Il letter
appealing 10 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 it depends on
whether we take II glass of ale or beer
with our meals"
This appeal TO national honor. he added,
was common device every time small
question presented itself. But there
was no question of national honor in.
volved in this matter.
There are no saloons here; there is
no drunkenness here: | have never seen
a drunken man in the capitol, I STAT"
for the benefit of the agitators that il is
n libel on congress to say that saloons
are here and that drunkenness exists
here. II is absolutely false"
The discussion next took a somewhat
humorous turn, Mr.. Chandler. Mr. Gal.
lingcr and Mr.. Gray exchanging salirs
as TO the effect of the bill in restricting
the personal comfort of senator's.
The roll call on Mr.. Hills motion to
commit was followed with great inter.
est. 1t was tie ut first, but the sun.
moning OF senators defeated the notion
yeas. %; nays. 30. As the vote r,c
announced, Mr.. Hill remarked: and
having brought the bill before the senate
senator's can now proceed to take Il glass
of beer e'''"
dc went on TO speak of the hypocrisv
of the bill. 1t was soon evident ihnt tbe
senator would talk against the measure
untl p. M, when the debate would he
cut OF by the Nicaraguan canal bill. Tic
SPOKE OF the extremes to which prohi
nitloh legislation had been carried and
tie excessive punishment inflicted. The
Nloiatiohs OF an excise law, he said. had
become worse than murder and mrrlnrv
This sort of legislation. no douht rrs S,
uhWise' unnecessary. Under il the Won.
cradle senator from Vermont INiorr;in
could be brought before the senate on -
charge of violating the excise low
'hder 1t the senators would find ON
Te2chlng the chamber some day that ono.
NAH OF their associates were in the nol;co
court Tor violating the excise law
Mr. mn talked up to > O'Clock who,
the bill was displaced and the Nicar ,''
guam canal bill was taken up. '"''-
before proceeding with the debot. N,
Morgan (dem.) of Alabama presented -pt T.
resolution requesting the president for :,
formation as to the arrest of Mr. RnIar
court at Havana. whether a demand WHILE hnli
been made for his release. etc. Tha , mo'
olutlon was agreed to. nv rvs
Mr.. Lodge ,lrep) of Massachusetts nm
IeaVored to have the Nicaraguon cor r',l
plli iald aside temporarily. in order to "I ~"
celve report on the Immigration I'm In
"'''h Dill
objection was made and Mr. Lod,o
, ,nINru that me conference rcport h.
''Nth up, winch was agreed To.
Mr.. Hill appealed to Mr.. Iodrc 70 h.
the bill recommitted for modifcoti,m 'se
TO the age and educational nr",,i"il us
Mr.. Chandler seconded the onnonI ''S.
ing a recommittal would Secmrn H. a. say
slraele end as to remedies in thn ;ron W.
grafton legislation. '"' illiillI-
Mr. Gorman tdem.) of MARYLAND mad.
an emphatic protest TO the recnnt a ,,inue
ne of Mr.. Lodge that opposition ~ 'a tbo
n na was due to steamship and corpora oi re-
d,,Id &C. He hoped the senator q odpcl
would nave opportunity during tba n
iSnr Oh opposing the power of corpora.
mad largely controlled in the saioot; mnicn
president for the next four veorS Vi
Mr.. Chandler said the languoeyc" go 90 a.,