The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-12-21
FORTY-NECOND CONGRESS- I'd Session
WEDNESDAY, December 20.
SENATE.


Mr.. Morton called up House bill appio-
priating $3.50, 900 to pay expenses OF the
Geneva Commission. Passed.
Mr.. Cragin, from Committee on Terri
tories, reported bill making appropriations
to pay the expenses attending the indict-
ment and trials of the Mormons in Utah.
He said the parties were all indicted under
the territorial law, yet the territorial
Legislature refused to make any appropria-
ton to pay the expenses of the prosecu-
ton.
Mr.. Blair introduced bill to grant to the
State of Missouri, for common school pur-
poses, the public lands in said State remain
ing unsold. Referred to Committee on
Public Lands.
Mr.. Sumner called up his resolution of
inquiry as to the disposition of our naval
forces in the waters of San Domingo, pend
ing the negotiations with San Domingo,
and it was adopted without opposition.
Mr.. Robertson called up the House
general amnesty bill. He said the interest
Of the whole country demanded its passage.
Every Republican of prominence in the
south was in favor of it, and it would do
the Republican party more good than any
act since the war.
HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,.
Mr.. Epson, on leave, introduced reso-
luton, which was adopted, directing the
committee on civil service reform to in
quire into the expediency of the election of
postmasters by the people.
Mr.. W. r. Roberts asked leave to offer
a resolution declaring that the House no
ticed with regret, the murder of students
- h,y fha Cyon,cb o,,f1 or ~,
November, 1871.
Mr.. Banks objected, and the resolution
was referred to the Committee on Foreign
Affairs.
The House then resumed consideration
of the bill pending yesterday for labor
commission. g.
Mr.. Campbell addressed tho House on
the subject, and contended that the matter
should be left to joint committee of both
Houses, as we had too many commissions.
These questions of labor and capital must
be grappled with by Congress, and not by
commissions.
Mr.. Bingham said that among intelligent
Americans no information was needed, but
he thought well of the inquiry, to allay the
discomfort of those who had come to oul
shores from foreign countries. He said thai
the laboring men, who had developed the
resources of the country, and beer
the architects of their own fortunes
would. laugh at the puny efforts t.
prove that American legislation oppressed
labor, and argued that. from the first leglsla
ton abollshing the law of primogeniture t.
the present day legislation in this country
had been in the interest of the laborer
Let the investigation be made, and it woult
show to theseN foreigners that here for thu
first time, by the direct intervention of law
q fair days wages had been secured for
fair days work. Inquiries as to the socia
relations of labor would show that the onl,
nobility in America is that which spring
from the honest toll of brain or heart o
hand. Let it be shown that America hav
ing broken the shackles of slavery had Sc
cured the rights of every person by tn
combined power of all. In reply to tn
charges that the duties were excessive, h
said that it was caused by the struggle t
save the life of the nation, and in view 0
the results of that struggle no true Amer
can would regret the sacrifice that it cost.
MIR. Shanks advocated the creation of
bureau of labor, as proposed by bill ii
troduced by him few days since.
Mr.. Stevenson had read letter from Wn
Latin, of Cincinnati, President of the fro
Moulders' International Union, asking fo
copies of the debate upon this bill, and as
surfing him of the great interest felt in tn
measure by the laboring men.
Mr.. Hoar said that letters of that cha
acter were coming in from all parts of tt
country, and showed that the workingme
demanded the investigation. He oppose
the proposition of Mr.. Campbell to entru
the investigation to joint select comm
tee, as well as that Of Mr.. Burchard, !
assign the duty to the Bureau of Statistic
as much more likely to produce partiss
report.