Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1900-01-31
CONGRESSMAN LIrrLEFlELD
Downed Congressman Stewart, of New
Jersey, In Running Debate.

Downed Congressman Stewart, of New
Jersey, in Running Debate.
One gun from New Jersey was effec-
lively spiked In the great debate last
week over the law OF the Roberts case,
says Washington despatch. 1t was
spiked by the new man from Maine, who
made such decided hit with his great
speech in favor OF the expulsion Of the
Utah member.
When Representative Littlefield got to
talking about the general welfare" argu-
ment OF the majority committee, he took
occasion to illustrate his remarks with
some reference to the state OF New Jersey.
He spoke OF that state as the breeding
ground OF trusts and oetopuses and as
serted that 1t would be just as reasonable
for the House OF Representatives to ex-
clude the members OF Congress from that
state, because trusts aud octopuses were
opposed to the general welfare OF The peo-
pie, as 1t would be to exclude the member
from Utah, because polygamy was opposed
to the general welfare.
That assertion brought to his feet Rep
resentative James Fleming Stewart, who
comes from the home OF the late Vice
President Hobart and has been six years q
member of the House OF Representatives.
ado you think that the prohibitory laws
of Maine are more against the general
welfare and against the people than the
corporation laws OF New Jersey?" he in
quired.
The House prieked up its ears at this in
quiry, anxious to see whether Mr.. Little
field would be able to hold his own in a
running fire OF debate--one OF the most
severe tests that can be put upon new
member.
''There are those who think that the
Maine prohibitory law against the sale OF
rum Is even worse than polygamy," re-
torted Representative Littlefleld, good
naturediy. but humorousiy.
alas the gentleman read the corpora
tion laws OF New Jerseyfn inquired Mr..
Stewart.
al do not want to make any reflection
against the state Of New jersey" re-
sponded Mr.. Littlefield. ~ only used
that as an illustration"
The House went into conniptions Of
laughter at this, aud Representative Lit
tletield continued: 81 have read the cor
poratiou laws OF New Jersey. ! have
also read the excellent speech made be-
fore the Buffalo bar association, deciar-
Ing the object OF these corporation laws
OF New Jersey"
"Did you read the opinion OF the
United States supreme courtT" inquired
Mr.. Stewart.
81 will be very glad to read 1t II the
gentleman will furnish me a copy" said
Mr.. Littiefieid. "There are a good many
things / commend In the corporal ion
laws. We enacted q corporation law in
Maine, but we stopped at ten millions.
You do not stop them anywhere; the
only Limitation placed upon corporations
In New Jersey is the minimum: that
they shall not bc incorporated for less
than one thousand dollars. But then 1t
goes to anywhere under the stars, and
there Is not hing but the gall OF the men
who organize these corporations in New
Jersey to limit them"
In that statement Representative Little
field again scored great hit, and the
limitation in the Maine isw?" inquired
Representative Stewart.
..rhere Is regulation that they shall
not go beyond ten millions" reiterated
Mr.. Lttleheid.
"They could 70 on" insisted Mr.. Stew
art.
ave stop them at that" answered Mr..
.Littleheid "Iet me venture the state
ment that this Is not a point related to
the present case. 1t is difficulty be-
tween New Jersey and Maine"
"And New Jersey can take care OF those
corporations" deiisntiy announced Rep
resentative Stewart.
Then Air. Littlefield delivered himself
OF the following statement, which sent
the New Jerseyite to his seat and ended
the controversy. The knockout blow
came in the following form: Just for a
moment" exclaimed Mr.. I.ittletield i'm
patiently, "iet me state that there was a
discussion In 1899 in the State of Maine
before the committee on judiciary.
Joseph II. ManIey', who is one OF the
prominent members OF the republican
party, WAS seeking to organize al ice trust
OF $50, 600 900 capital, but the members OF
our legislature turned 1t down, because 1t
was a trust. IL went forthwith to New
Jersey aud got a charter. This is prac-
teal illustration"
The House laughed so heartily at this
that Mr.. Stewart blushed clear up to the
roots OF his hair.
Mr., Maniey says this statement Is Incorrect
a. member of the legislature, he, at the re
quest Of a constituent. Introduced bill which
was, as Mr. LiItle6eld says, 'turned down"
The Youths Companion In 1900.
he "A of min utpn n nd