The record-union. [volume] (Sacramento, Calif.) 1891-1903, 1897-02-05

Assert That Saloons Were Run in
the Building and Drunkenness Ex-
listed Among rlembers.
WASHINGTON. Feb. 1.-THE session
of the Senate to-day was one OF unUS-
ual activity, with sharp colloquies ana
vigorous speeches, which drew large
crowds to the galleries. The ball was
set rolling early in the day, when Nor
rill endeaVored to pass the bill prohibit
ing the use Of intoXicants in the Capitol
building. This aroused the opposition
of Hill of New York, who denounced
the busybodies and mischief-makers in
spring this class of legislation The
Sena tor spoke for the fullest enjoyment
of individual liberty consistent with
common good. The speech was not only
notable for the vigor which Hill threw
into it. but also for the vigOr of its eff
feet in prOlongng the debate until
o'clock, when the bill was displaced by
the Nicaragua bill
The immigration bill was committed
to conference Lodge, in charge of the
measure. adopting this course as a re-
suit of urgent appeals for a moditica-
ton of the bill. Before this was done,
however, a warm personal and political
cOlloquy occurred between Lodge and
Chandler on one hand and German on
the other.
The Maryland Senator took exception
to recent suggestions of steamship and
corporate influences. and declared there
would be ample opportunity within the
next year for Republican Senators to
resist the corporate influence at work
after March 4th.
In reply Chandler asserted that the
Maryland Senator had for the first time
turned an immigration debate into par
tisan channels.
Villas added another day 10 his speech
against the Nicaragua canal and had
not concluded when the Senate adjourn
ed
Regarding the sale Of liquor in the
Capitol, Morrill, said there was much
feeling throughout the country against
it He had just received a letter stat
ing that the writer had seen man
coming from the building drunk. While
there was some misrepresentation as to
the existence Of ordinary saloons in the
building, yet. as the public felt that an
evil existed. Congress should make a
strict investigation.
Sherman asked if it was right that
any part Of this great public building
should be used for the sale Of liquor.
sherman did not believe the public idea
that saloons existed here was justified.
There was nothing like an ordinary
bar. But the laws had been stringent,
So that when a man wanted whisky he
would have to go outside the Capitol TO
get it.
Hill came into the debate at this
point, speaking with much vehemence
against the busy bodies and mis-
chief makers who libeled Congress and
inspired this class Of legislation. He
had received many letters he said, pro
testing against this determination in our
National Capitol" Such statements
were false. No such thing as a bar ex-
listed here. Hill read in sarcastic tones
a letter appealing 70 him to aid in driv-
ing saloons from the Capitol, and thus
raise the standard Of national honor.
Has our national honor come to this. -
exclaimed Hin that it depends upon
whether we take glass of ale or beer
with our meaIs?" This appeal to ma
tional honor, he added. was becoming
a common device every time some small
question presented itself But there was
no question Of national honor involved
in this matter
There are no saloons here. There is
no drunkenness here; l have nsNer seen
a drunken man in the Capitol ] state
for the benefit Of these agitators that it
is a libel on Congress to say that saloons
are here. and drunkenness exists here. 1t
is absolutely false"
The discussion next took a somewhat
humorous turn. Chandler, Gallnger and
Gray exchanging sallies as to the eff
feet Of the bin in restricting the personal
comfort of Senators.
The roll call on Hilrs motion to com
NIT was followed with great interest 1t
was a tie at first but the summoning of
Senator'S defeated the motion-yeas 81,
nays 80.
As the vote was announced Hill re-
marked: And having brought the bill
before the Senate. Senator's can now pro-
coed to take a glass of beer
He went on to speak of the hypocrisy
Of the bill 1t was soon evident the
Senator would talk against the measure
until - 0'CIDGk. WHEN the nili WOULD be
cut off by the Nicaragua Canal bill He
spoke of the extremes to which prohibi-
ton legislation has been carried and the
excessive punishment inflicted. The
violation of an excise law, he said be-
came worse than murder or burglary
This sort of legislation would not do. it
was unwise. unnecessary. Under ii the
venerable Senator from Vermont Nor
rilD could be taken out of the Senate on
a charge of violating the excise laws
Under 1t the Senators would find on
reaching the chamber some day that
one-half of their associates were in the
Police Court for violation of the excise
laws.
Hill talked up to O'Clock. when the
bill was displaced and the Nicaragua
Canal bin was taken up.
Before proceeding with the debate.
Morgan presented a resolution. request
ing the President for information as to
the arrest of Caspar. Betancourt at Ha-
vana, whether demand for his release
had been made. etc. The resolution was
agreed to.
Lodge (R) Of Massachusetts, endea
vored to have the canal bill give way
temporarily to permit action on the con-