Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1871-12-20
Ku-KIux witnesses.
HOUSE.


HOUSE.
Mr.. Hooper reported resolution for inves-
tigation of the recent failure of national
banks by the Banking Committee. Pass
ed.
On motion of Dir. Eldridge a resolution
was adopted, calling on the Secretary of
State for information as to the printing of
the statement in the case of the United
States before the Geneva Arbitrstors.
On motion Mr.. Perry the Secretary ofthe
Treasury was requested to give informa-
ton as to the amount of tiTe-twenty bonds
redeemed.
The Labor QuesfIOn-RadScaI Oppres-
sion.
A debate took place on the Hoar's labor
bill.
Mr.. Perez, Chairman of the Committee
on Education and Labor, endeavored to eff
feet an arrangement as to the deba.e; after
discussion. Mr.. Perez gave notice he would
move for the previous question at O'Clock
tomorrow. He was not prepared to affirm
or deny that legislationwas necessary onthe
labor question, but was convinced that an
investigation would do good. There was
no partnership in the question. The bill
was not in the interest of the International
Society, trade unions, etc. He advocated
the passage Of the bill in the interest of ag-
ricultural laborers, and the laboring classes
Of the South. He wished to attract immi-
grants to that region.
Mr.. Campbell suggested substitute.
Mr.. Storm advocated the passage Of the
bill. The evils which the industrial
classes complained of was as clear as the
MONDAY sun. Investigation would show
that S2,353, 100000 of property belongingto
capitalists was exempt from taxation, and
other interests was taxed to make up
the deficit. Twetny-one millions was paid
annually out of the treasury to banking as
sOciations as a mere bounty. 1t was shown
that the poor man now paid upon his salt a
tax of 1855 per cent; on his cutlery over 80
per cent; on clothing over IS per cent, and
on his spade and shovel over 45 per cent,
while the rich man paid upon his jewelry,
diamonds, laces, gold rings, paintings and
statuary a tax not exceeding 10 per cent.
To adjust the wrongs of the laboring men,
Congress would have to repeal every pet
financial scheme of the party in power-the
national bank scheme, the exemption of the
bonded debt from taxation, and the present
system of tariff. When these were repealed
the Republican party would be repealed and
dissolved. The only obstacle in this coun-
try to the interests Of the masses was the
existence Of thu Republican party, and when
it was removed a better order of things
would reign.
HAIr. Cox said it was singular that Penn
sylvania and Massachusetts, States that had
more of the bounties of the protective sys-
TEN than any others, should be the most
urgent advocates of this bill. He would
propose an amendment in the interest of
civil service, that no party or political influ-
ence should control the appointment of the
commissioners. Before the protective
frauds there was little or no agitation among
working men. There is no inquiry so per-
tinent to a fair division of the joint profits
of labor and capital as an inquiry into the
commodities which pass through the Gus
tom-hOuse, and the consequent effect of the
exactions upon the materials of labor.
take this bill as an earnest of better policy
on tariff, towards which even New England
is progressing. If the administration can
bring all their power to put down strikes,
surely We should inquiIe into the causes out
of which these strikes Crow. l will be glad
to see an intelligent investigation from any
quarter. A joint committee with both par
ties represented will best accomplish the
object. The question of our shipping SO
disastrously settled, should be investigated.
Would that such man as David A. Wells
could be appointed on such commission.
Mr.. Kerr spoke against the bill, which he
regarded as insincere and hollow, and
chiefly intended by false pretense, to bridge
over the next Presidential election, and
mslead the disconnected sons of toll into
voting the Radical ticket in 1872. He be-
leved it a mere attempt to make place for
partisans, and that it was unconstitutional
for Congress to assume the power to regIl-
late the hours of labor or the standard Of
wages, or the division of the joint profits
of labor or capital, or the social conditions
of the people. Such sweep of jurisdiction
would speedily leave nothing to the States
or people, make all local Governors expen-
sive sinecures, and make the power of
Congress as transcendant and absorbing as
the British Parliament.
Mr.. Wood believed the party in power
responsible for the troubles of the laboring
men, and it was only in the restoration of
the Democracy to power that they can ind
relief
Mr.. Duke suggested an amendment dir
Getting investigation, especially into what
taxes, assessments and duties on imports
are imposed directly or indirectly by the
laws of the United Srates on any article
used by the laboring classes, and upon any
raw materials which enter into the manu-
facture of such articles; also what quantity
of the public lands, which should have been
preserved to furnish homes for the people
and to supply fund for the education of
the masses, has been granted to corpora
lions organized and controlled by and exelu-
sively for the benefit of few wealthy indi-
viduals.
Mr.. Slocum suggested an amendment
naming as Commissioners Horace II. Day,
Richard =. FreYellick and Alexander Troop.