The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1897-02-11
TILLMAN'S BILL IN TROUBLE.
SENATORS TURN THEIR GATLTNG
GUNS AGAINST 1T.

Senator's SewaII, Vest and Mills OPP
Proposed Law Would Interfere
with Freedom of Interstate Com
merce-SenntOr Gilman COnfesses
That the Bill WOuId Create Mo-
nOpOly in south Carolina.
Washington Feb. 10-Before the SEN
ate left its chamber to-day to participate
with the House of Representatives in the
solemn formality of counting the eecto-
raj votes for President and Vice President
of the United States, the only matter
which came up for consideration was Mr..
Tillman's bill. "amplifying and classify
ing" the existing law as to the right of
state authorities to seize intoxicating liq-
uors brought into the state.
Mr.. Tillman explained that its purpose
was to give to every state and territory
the right to control the liquor traffic with
in its own borders, in it's own way, with
out interference from the federal Judicial
ry or any outside source. 1t was, he
said. to amplfy and classify existing law
Mr.. Sewall, rep, of New Jersey. oppos-
ed the bill as an interference with inter
state commerce.
Mr.. Mills, dem, of Texas, also opposed
1t on the same grounds. He regarded 1t
as a very dangerous step backwards in
the policy Of the government; and one
which might as well be applied hereafter
to wooden goods. cotton goods, iron and
steel, as now to liquor.
Mr.. Vest. dem, of Missouri, said that
he also would be compelled to vote against
the bill as going step in advance of any
legislation ever had in this country in re-
striction of the right of congress to regu-
late commerce among the states.
The effect of the pending bill, he said,
was to conlne every resident of the state
OF South Carolina to the use of liquor dis
titled in that state and so to create a mo-
nopoly.
Il confess that" said Mr. Tillman.
Then, that is a principle which 1 shall
not indorse," MIR. Vest exclaimed.
The Vice President interrupted the dis
cussion at ten minutes before O'Clock.
| and directed the sergeant-at-arms to pro-
coed to execute the order of the Senate rel
alive to the joint session of the Senate and
House of Representatives for the pur-
pose or opening and controlling the votes
OF the electors for President and Vice
President of the United States.
The Vice President, attended by the Sec.
| rotary OF the Senate and officials bearing
! the boxes which contained the certificates,
! sion of senators which took it's way over
| TO the nall of the House of Representa-
| ives. Two senators only remained in the
! chamber-Messrs. Hill of New York and
| Turpie of Indiana
| After the Senate returned to its cham
/ Der the Nlcaraguan canal bill came up as
| the diminished business and Mr.. Morgan,
| GEM, OF Alabama, recognizing the impos-
| slDillty OF its passage this session with
| Drew 1t, giving notice, however that he
| would introduce it at the extra session
| ana press ii to a vote. He made a long
| last speech upon it, in which he imputed
! the obstacles which the canal project had
met to British intervention And he
| warned Mr. sherman, as the secretary of
| state under the next administration that
| II he had the combined wisdom and skin
| would, in any negotiations for a canal
] treaty, be overmatched by those thin
/ BILE rigging little republics of Central
| America that would conspire with the
| British people and British advisers in the
| United States 10 beat him. limiting at
| the arbitration treaty, Mr.. Morgan derid-
| ed the idea of Great Britain having thrown
| her sword away and he asked what had
| occurred that Great Britain should smooth
/ our hair the right way and that we
| should submit to her caresses?"
After the Nicaraguan canal bill had been
| thus tken out of the way the bankruptcy
bill came 90 the front as "the unfinished
| business" It, however, went over till to-
morrow.
The agricultural appropriation bill was
| then taken up and passed, after a lively
| Missouri, held up TO ridicule, the Secre-
| tary of Agriculture.
At 80 o'clock the Senate adjourned I'M
! til tomorrow.