The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-05-01
IN THE HOUSE.
The Asiatic Commission Bill En-.
counters Opposition and II
Knocked Out.

WASHINGTON, April 30-The house to-
day passed the Lacey bill to enlarge the
powers of the department of agriculture
and to prohibit interstate commerce in
game killed in violation of local laws. 1t
authorizes the secretary of agriculture to
provide for the introduction and restora-
ton of game and insectiverous wild birds.
II gives him power to prevent the intro
duction of undesirable birds and animals,
and prevents the killing of game In viola
ton of state laws for concealed shipment
to states where it can be sold in the open
markets.
The senate bin to create commission
OF five to investigate and report upon the
commercial and industrial conditions In
Japan and China was debated at length,
but was vigorously antagonized by the
Democrats, and they finally succeeded in
striking out the enacting clause In COM
mittee, and this motion was pending when
the house adjourned. II the motion pre-
walls in the house the bill il dead
The bill for constitutional amendment
to disqualify polygamists for election as
senator's and representatives and to pro-
hibit polygamy was reported by the COM
mittee on the election of president, vice
president and representatives In congress,
and was referred to the committee on jul
dietary, after meeting with opposition
from both sides of the house. Every
speaker who antagonized the bill said he
opposed polygamy. but did not see any
reason for legislation on the constitution
and invading the rights of the states.
The house agreed to the conference re-
port on the joint resolution extending the
tenure of military officers In Puerto Rico.
Dalzell presented a report from the
committee on ways and means recon-
mending that the Tawney resolution. cali
ing upon the secretary of the treasury for
information concerning the amount and
character of the material used in manu-
factwe OF oleomargarine by manufacture
ers, as shown by duplicates In possession
of the internal revenue bureau, lie upon
the table.
ne
nority report recommending that the re-
poft be adopted. At the request of Bah
cock action on the reports was postponed
for one week.
Corliss called up the joint resolution for
a constitutional amendment to disQualify
polygamists for election as senators and
representatives, and prohibiting polygamy
and polygamous cohabitation between
sexes.
Corliss said that while congress in the
Roberts case had established a precedent
which would be followed at all times, 1t
was deemed we'll that there should be a
constitutional amendment to render the
constitutional disqualification certain and
provide an effective means of extirpating
the evils OF polygamy by making ii unlaw-
full in any place and extending the judicial
power Of the United States so as to cover
prosecutions of this particular crime. Mr..
Snodgrass, who made the report in the
case, made an earnest plea In advocacy Of
the bill.
Shackelford moved to strike out the Sec
tion of the resolution defining the mar
riage relation and prohibiting polygamy in
the United States, on the ground that 1t
tnterfered with the power OF the states.
Corliss called attention TO the fact that
section distinctly provided that the ex-
elusive power to make and enforce all
laws concerning marriage and divorce was
reserved to the state.
Ray, chairman of the judiciary COM
mittee. said the bill was badly drawn.
1t should have been framed in his COM
mittee, which was now considering the
whole subject. The polygamy feature
could. he said, be covered In six lines.
Grosvenor did not think 1t wise to be
finKering with the constitution every time
an offense became notorious in the coun-
try. The people OF Utah had learned a
salutary lesson from the Roberts case
Lanham said he was as much opposed
70 polygamy as any man, but he thought
the proposed LEGISLATION unwise. and
moved that the resolution be referred TO
the committee on judiciary.
Lanham's motion prevailed without d.
vision.
The house then took I'D the Lacey bill
TO prohibit the transportation by inter-
state commerce OF game killed I'm violation
of local laws.
Lacey said the bill enlarged the powers
clude preservation, introduction and res
toration or game and other wild birds. 1t
empowered the department to reintro-
duce extinct birds, wild pigeons, which
formerly existed by the millions. grouse
and other wild birds. II gave the secre-
tary power To regulate the importation
of birds and wild animals. Had the sec
rotary OF agriculture this power, Lacey
said he would have been spared the pes
tllentlal English sparrow--the rat OF the
air-the startling and other birds
lne most important provision, however
was that forhidding Interstate traffic IN
game killed in violation OF local laws,
Lacey agreed that there was some SEN
timent In the bill The protection OF our
native birds he said ought to be dear to
the heart OF every American The bill
would not AFFECT the miliners' art.
Cummings made an eloquent appeal for
the preservation and restoration OF the
beautiful national birds with which the
country formerly abounded. The bill was
passed-iH 10 rs
The house then went Into committee
~ thf whole on the senate bill for the
creation q commission To study and
make fuli report upon the Industrial
cuAuitlpns tn Ctllna and Japan.
lowering said this investigation was
earnestly desired by the business ard
commercial bodies OF the country The
only objection, he said, came from
lev commercial houses already estab-
lsned. Which desired 20 reserve for them
AANNNAAAAN