The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1910-02-25
POSTAL SAVINGS BANK Bill TO
CONE UP FOR BALLOT ON
MARCH 3, NEXT.
CARTER IS SUCCESSFUL
Montana Senator Finally Gets Upper
House to Consent to Fix Time for
Final Action on Aet-senator Bailey
Makes Notable Speech, in Which He
Attacks Legality Of Measure.

Washington, Feb. 2i.-Decided prog
rcss was made in the senate toda.
towards the disposition of the posta
savings bank bill In addition to {
striking speech by Senator Bailey and
an amendment by Senator Burton
which IL offered as compromise oI
the various differences on the ques-
ton of the disposal of the funds aris.
ing from the postal deposits, Senator
Carter succeeded in getting March
fixed for vote on the bill
There was no objection to naming q
day. and senator's appeared pleased
that time had been fixed for the
final disposition Of the measure. Mr.
Carter made his request Immediately
after the close of Senator Bailey's
speech. The time was we'll selected
for the reason that many senators
have been waiting to hear from the
Texas senator before agreeing to any
time for the disposal of the bill After
Mr. Bailey had concluded many ex-
pressed the opinion that he had
thrown much light upon the consti-
tutional questions involved in the
subject. He had splendid audience,
both on the floor and In the galleries,
and his speech was received with gen
eral favor.
Mr.. Owen gave notice that he would
speak tomorrow on his proposed
amendment substituting a government
guarantee of bank deposits for the
suggested postal banks. Mr.. Bailey
discussed the different clauses of the
constitution under which the savings
bank bill had found support. Begin
ming with the commerce clause, he de-
clared 1t to be grotesque absurdity
to say that such an institution as a
postal savings bank system could be
established under 1t.
Not Justified.
Referring to the contention that the
bin was justified under the borrowing
clause Of the constitution. he asked
its advocates whether the real pur-
pose of the measure were that of
borrowing money. IL 1t were, then 1t
was CONSTITUTIONAL but conceiving the
object of this clause to be that of
enabling the government to perform
US functions In time OF emergency, he
eontended that this measure would
not justify the contention made under
this clause. He said he would not
affront the intelligence OF his col
leagues or dlscredit his own candor
by saying that he believed anyone
would vote for the bin with the idea
that ii was intended to enable the
government to raise money under the
borrowing provision. He also entered
upon extended arguments TO prove
that the measure was not justified.
aithor under the postofi.ce claus, ,,r
me money colning clause II the con-
stitution.
II customs houses were as numerous
as postofflees. said Senator Bailey.
they would have been as ant to be
for this business. The busl-
ness II was proposed, was purely a
tscal operation. he declared and
made no prctense of any connections
with the operations of the postal sery-
ice. lie contcnded that the private
citizen mad right to do with money
as he pleased as he had with any
other property.
Penalty or Premium.
IF You can bring money from its
hiding place in one way you can In !
mother he said. you have Just az
much power TO compel the citizen to
supply money by threatening him with
as you have to tempt |
him by guaranteeing to him profit |
IN 1t. If you can employ IA premium
you can employ penalty. You have
no more right to prescribe what q |
citizen shall do with his money than
You have to say what he shall do with |
MS land"
He then attempted to show that the |
purpose of the bill was to encourage
economy and thrift. and he quoted the
message of President Roosevelt OF
1907 In support of this contention. En-
-erlng upon an argument to show
mat this was not part of the duty
'f the government, but on the other
1and that 1t was an unwarranted OBJ
rusion OF the government into the af- |
airs of its citizens. In this connec-
ION ne referred to the future possl-
oility of bank legislation and said that
his intrusion of the government into
affairs of the people soon would be
'olloWed by the intrusion OF private
corporations into the affairs of the
government.
Entering then upon discussion OF |
he abstract rights of citizenship, Mr..
Bailey declared 1t was libel to say
NAT people could not take care OF
heir money.