INSPECTOR OF ILLUMINATING OILS.
Mr. WHITE'S bill [S. 25], to remodel the act for the inspection of mineral or petroleum oil for illuminatiug purposes, was read the third time.
Mr. WHITE said he had endeavored to frame a bill superior to that in operation in other States. It would increase the illuminating qualities of oils used hereafter.
Mr. BRISCOE opposed the bill. The people want no such law. It is a gross imposition. If its requirements could be carried out strictly to the letter he would be satisfied. We have had meaner oil under the present law than we ever had before in Indiana. This inspection is a direct tax upon the people without any benefit. He is the only Senator on this floor who voted against the passage of the present law, and he made an ineffectual motion to have this bill recommitted with instructions to strike out the enacting clause and insert new matter, repealing the existing act.
Mr. SPANN did not believe this bill nor the bill of 1879 would bring to the people pure illuminating oil. There is a tendency to throw around the people a system of guardianship, which he deprecated. This bill ought to be entitled a bill to bring $10,000 or $12,000 into the pocket of a leech appointed by the Governor.
Mr. VOYLES declared this bill affords safeguard for the people, its provisions being so strict that none but qualified men could hold the office of Inspector.
Mr. BRISCOE found this bill proposes but a few sections in addition to the existing law. There is no demand for such a measure, and he resisted is passage.
The bill failed to pass--ayes, 24; nays,1l.
Pending the roll-call--
Mr. BUNDY said: "As a matter of choice between this bill and the existing law, I voted for this in order to get rid of the other,"
Mr. MACARTNEY said: "Were the bill to repeal the existing law, he would much prefer it, but as between the two evils he should vote for this bill."
Mr. SHAFFER thought this an improvement on the old law. He would much rather vote for the repeal of the old law, but would now vote for this bill.
Mr. TRAYLOR was satisfied the intention of the bill would not be accomplished by its provisions. He desired, also the repeal the existing law.
Mr. Wilson would also be glad to vote for the repeal of the present law, but understanding that can not be accomplished on account of the action of the House of Representatives, and believing this bill an improvement on the present law, he should vote "aye."
So the bill failed to pass.
