Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1879-05-08
FORTY-SIXTH CONGRESS,
THURSDAY, Nav Sth

SENATE-Mr. Cameron (Pa.) introduced
bill extending the limitation Of liabilities OF
vessels in cases OF ollision to foreign vessels;
which was referred to the committee On COM
merce.
on suggestion of Mr.. Jones {Fla.) the Senate
took up the House bill authorizing the annual
enlistment of seven hundred and fifty boys in
the navy, and passed it.
The Senate also passed the bill reported yes
t0day by Mr.. voorhees,, from the joint commit
tee on the library, for the employment OF three
additional assistant librarians. at salary OF
$1,000.
MIR. Mcdonald called up the bill authorizing
Spruille Braden to be placed at the foot OF the
list of ensigns on the active list OF the navy.
This is the youth who not long ago was pupl
In naval college In England, who took the
Queens medal and other prizes, and who was
offered the appointment OF midshipman In the
British navy, but declined, for the reason the
acceptance Of it would have required the re-
IuDciation Of his American citizenship.
Messrs. Chandler. Anthony, Burnside, Logan,
on the ground that to admit Braden to the
navy would be setting bad precedent, and
doing injustice to one hundred and fifty mid
Sh1pmen OF the Naval academy.
Messrs. Mcdonald. voorhees, and Whyte ad-
Vocated the bill, and among their reasons for
doing SO, said that Braden was entitled TO high
credit for the course he pursued, and that this
was an exceptional case and was not like to be
repeated for many years.
The morning hour having expired, the bill
went over till tomorrow.
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
House bill. to prohibit military interference at
the polls.
Mr.. Morgan, said that the trainers of the con-
SfitVt1on In order to guard the public liberties
had drawn broad distinction between stand
ing army and the militia; and plainly intended
That standing army should not be inflicted on
the people OF the states to cOerce them, but that
when there should be necessity for the en-
ployment Of military power, the forces should
be taken from the great body OF the people to
show they were responsible.
HOUSE.-Immediatel after the reading OF
the journal, the House resumed the consfdera-
tion OF the bill for the enforcement Of the eight
hour law.
MIR. Kelley said that he thought the passage
OF the eight hour law a mere evasion or duJy
by Congress, because it had passed the law but
had lot determined whether or not days
wages should be paid for eight hours work
The legislative construction Of that law, how
ever, was consistent with the executive con-
structiOn. and until that law was repealed every
Workingman who was forced to work 10 hours for
days wages was defrauded OF his legal right.
The condition OF the laboring man throughout
the World was pftiable. There was no employ
ment In the country, and gentlemen ascribed it
were true, then in heavens name stop the over
production. II eight hours labor produces too
1huch, then bring the hours down to six. There
was only one other choice, that was to fall back
On the doctrine OF MalthuS, and prevent the in
crease OF population. He was opposed to that
When GOD made man upon the earth He gave
sustain his life let him have it, II eight or ten
hours would reduce him to poverty, want aud
death, in Gods name diminish his laboring
hours.
Mr, Mcmillan offered an amendment providing
that this act shall only apply TO future labor
or contracts and not TO any past labor or con-
tract; He expressed himself as absolutely op-
posed TO the bill but II 1t we're to pass he wanted
it to pass in the least Objectionable form. IL
was lot in the interest Of the toiltng millions,
but was proposition to tax the toling millions
IN f1f.h Oft nfO faxsr fx,sIfr
Mr.. Goode spoke in favor OF the bill. Con-
sIess should not set bad example by permit
ting onicers OF the government TO disregard a
plain law.
Mr.. Cox supported to bill. The law should
be enforced. Nobody asked for its repeal; no.
body dare ask for it, IL the face Of the voters OF
the country. The government {aS the gentle
man from virginia had said) would be setting
bad example II 1t disregarded its own laws.
Let Congress enfore the law before II gave the
workingman an excuse to revolt In any djec-
tion. He asserted that experiments had shown
that more work could be done In eight hours
than in ten hours. This bill should be passed
In the interest OF fairness and justice, and in
the interest OF tha workingmen Of the country,
who had petitioned for It's passage
Mr.. I1ilman supported Mr.. McMillan's amend
ment.
Mr.. Cannon moved to lay the bill on the
tao.e. Agreed to-l03 to SO.
Mr. Cox eDdeavored to obtain the yeas and
nays, but they were refused. He, however OBJ.
tained the yeas and nays on the motion to Law
On the table the motion to reconsider, and the
motion was agreed to-yeas 127, nays 81.
SO the motion TO reconsider was laid on the
table; thus effectualiy killing the bill
The House then. at las, took up the bill to
amend the laws relating TO coinage, and coin
Mr.: kfmmel offered an amendment fixing the
weight OF the silver dollar at 46o instead Of
41214 grains.
posed the Dill, arguing in favor OF single STAN
dard.