WEIGHTS AND MEASURES.
Mr. Smith's, of Delaware, bill [S. 58-see page 39 of the Brevier Reports] to regulate weights and measures was read the second time.
Mr. RISTINE understands the act proposed to be amended by this bill is void and not in the Revised Statutes of 1881, consequently, it can not be amended now.
Mr. SMITH was understood to say he found it in the code.
Mr. DAVIDSON recollected the bill was voted down in the Senate two years ago when he made some remarks on the Question.
Mr. HILLIGASS moved to insert "68" instead of "70" pounds with reference to the weight of corn.
Mr. SMITH stated the object of this bill was to make the legal weight of corn seventy pounds in order to conform to the custom of neighboring States. There is no loss to the farmer, because the difference is always taken from them in price.
Mr. MARVIN did not know of a warehouse dealer but desired the change made to seventy pounds.
Mr. WHITE believed his people preferred the standard as the law now provides.
Mr. HILLIGASS also preferred the standard should remain as the law now fixes it. Men in the business are the only ones favoring a change. Farmers are not.
Mr. DUNCAN believed only warehouse-men are clamoring for this change. It was not the farmers He favored sixty-eight pounds to the bushel in the in few it of his own corn-raising district.
Mr. MARVIN, as one farmer and as a Senator, should favor the proposed increase.
Mr. GRAHAM was sure the price would correspond with the number of pounds to the bushel, and to secure uniformity he favored the bill as introduced.
Mr. SMITH stated it to be the universal desire of both trading men and farmers that seventy pounds should be the legal standard, to correspond with adjoining States, as they are accustomed to doing now.
Mr KEISER, having no expression from his people, would favor the present standard and oppose a change. The yeas and nays were ordered on the adoption of the amendment (Mr. Hilligass'), and being ordered and taken, resulted-yeas, 21; nays, 1.
No quorum voting-
Mr. Willard demanded a call of the Senate, which discovered 29 Senators present and answering to their names.
An ineffective motion was made to adjourn.
After a time-no other Senator appearing-
The Senate adjourned.
