New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1906-02-13
Il JOKE TO THE HOUSE.
Bill to Whip District of Columbia
Wife Beaters Killed.
IFrom The Tribune Bureau

Washington. Feb. 12-Henceforth the citizens of
the national capital will be permitted to beat their
wives untrammelled by other than the ordinary
punishments for assault. The House of Represent
atives. I'm solemn conclave to-day. by a vote of 155
to 49, deliberately resolved not to inflict the egh-
teenth century punishment of the whipping post
on VIE heaters In this town. 1t is well understood
OF course that the House is the common council
and board of aldermen for the national capital
NO other is provided under the present system. II
property owner desires open an alley in Square
No COS he must have q bill passed by the House
and Senate and signed by the President of the
United States before he can secure right of way
Tor coal cart to his back yard. Thus 1t comes
about that the question Of punishment for d ruff
fan who beats his wife is At subject for the grave
consideration of Congress. The House gave two
hours of time to il this afternoon the time of Ss7
men at 5000 year each. and mileage. 1t an
interesting session, but the solemnty married
by a spirit of levity, which was severely crit-
cised by those who favored the legislation.
1t was President Roosevelt who first recommend
ed the whipping post for wife heaters in the Dis
trict of Columbia. He suggested 1t year ago in
a message, and repeated IL this year. The one
man to take it up seriously Representative
Adams OF Pennsylvania. 1t is perhaps unfortunate
that Mr. Adams is a bachelor. At any rate. that
fact was used by his colleagues in poking end
of fun at him for his espousal of the bill But he
hammered away at the subject until he finally Sc
cured report from the committee, without recon-
mendation for his bill. and got 1t up on the floor
of the House to-day
Then the members began to have fun with the
measure. 1t was characterized as relic of bar
barism q par with the punishments of ancient
days. Mr.. Finley, of Kentucky, declared that Mr..
Adams should be punished for feloniously refusing
to take wife before the possessors of wives should
be punished for little salutary discipline Of their
spouses Mr. Barthodt of Missouri, moved an
amendment appropriating $4,000 for pillory. a
rack. stake etc. Mr.. MahOn, of Pennsylvania,
moved amendment provide a duckng stool
for seoldng wives, but exempting the wives OF
Presidents, members of the Cabinet. Senators and
Representatives.
And so It went, until the House refused to consider
laid on the table by the vote mentioned which will
be the end of il for all time. The good old fashion
of wife beating in the District OF Columbia will
continue to be punished in the old fashioned way.
with chain gang and workhouse sentences.
Notwithstanding the fact that President Roose-
Welt urged the passage of the bill, Representative
Longworth voted emphaucany with the majority
against the proposition.
In discussion OF the bill Representative Oloott
of Newly ork was in the chair, Speaker Cannon hav-
ing surrendered the gavel to him for the time be-
ing. The fact that Mr.. Olcott is member
made the Speakers designation of him a special
who is member of the District OF Columbia Com
mittee made his first speech the floor in defence
Of a bill which provides for stricter regulation OF
the sale Of drugs in the District Mr.. Olcott IA
vored giving the police additional powers in pre-
venting the sale of cocaine and harmful drugs and
largely q result of his efforts the bill was
passed.