Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1882-03-09
VORTY-SEVEyTH CONGRESS-.

WASHINGTON, March s.

form in the modes of the appointment OF su-
bordinate executive officers. Ordered PRINT
| ed
Mr.. Garland introduced bill for the con-
struction. repairing and preservation OF the
levees on the Mississippi river. Temporarily
tabled. subject to his call.
| Mr. Jackson, from the committee on I'M
provements of the Mississippi river reported
the original bill appropriating S2o,0oo TO
| continue the improvements of Memphis har-
Dor, Tenn.
A bill for commission on the alcoholic
liquor traffic came up on the calendar. the
question being on Mr.. Bayard's motion to
commit it to the finance committee.
| Mr. Bayard's motion was reJected-yeas.
10. nays. 2s The bill was then read, and
pending the motion by Mr.. Davis. of West
Virginia, to amend it so as to prevent the
commission from being exclusively par
| tisan.
4 vote was ordered upon ingalls, amend
ment limiting the suspension of the coming
of Chinese laborers to 10 years. The amend
ment was defeated on tie vote: nays 70,
yeas %.
| Mr. Hoar rose md resumed the discussion.
| He said the vote just taken showed that 1t
was the purpose of those having charge OF
the bill to force it through without regard to
its effect upon the public faith of the gov
I
Senate took its share to the Emperor OF
China He refuted Mr.. Edmunds point that
the homogenity of the people was essential to
the welfare of the people, and argued that
under the bill if Chinese youths. now being
| educated here, should ennoble their condi-
lions bv becoming laborers they would have
to leave the country. He thought it I'M
worthy of the senator to class these who op-
posed this legislation upon the principal with
free lovers and people not subject to moral
restraints.
Mr. Edmunds in answer to Mr.. Hoar's clos
ing statement, replied that the right to decide
what constitutes moral law was one inherent
in the government and by analogy the right to
regulate the character of people who shall
come into it belonged to government. This
depended upon the national policy and fact,
as to most of the ancient republics, that they
did not possess hOmogenity was the cause of
their fall. There was no foundation for the
charge of violation of moral and public law
in our making the distinction to the for
eigners we admit. He said Mr.. Sumner,
predecessor Of Mr.. Hoar. was author of the
law on coolie traffic. which impose fines and
penalties more severe than those in this bill
upon any master of an American vessel car
rying Chinaman who is servant. The
present bill followed that legislation. Mr..
Edmunds added he would vote against the
bill if the 20 years clause retained, but
would maintain the soundness of the prin-
ciple he had enumerated.
Mr.. Ingalls, moved an amendment postpOn-
ing the time at which the act shall take effect
at GO days after the information of its pas
sage had been communicated to China. He
took occasion to state his position with re-
gard to the bill. which he claimed was repre-
scented yesterday by Senator Dawes. Re-
c Al. Il Al. u
form adopted by the last republican national
convention, presided over by the Senator
from Massachusetts, Hoar) he inquired why
that Senator had not then stood up and de-
clared that it contrary to the fundamen-
tai principles of the declaration o, independ-
ence and contrary to the rights of humanity.
1t did not come with good grace that the two
Senators from Massachusetts, assume all the
virtue of the republican party and assert that
anybody who differed on them was moved by
hate. No man could shield himself from a
crime he committed against body of the
United States when he advocated their
importation by any sentimental cry of the
unity of races and the brotherhood of man.
Mr. ingalls, subsequently modified his
amendment by providing that the act shall not
go into effect until 90 days after its passage,
and the amendment was adopted.
On motion Mr.. Bayard's amendments we're
adopted, making the second section read as
follows:
That any master of any vessel of what
ever nationality. who shall knowingly, on
such vessel, bring within the Jurisdiction of
the United States and permit to be landed
any Chinese laborer,' etc.
Mr. Hoar moved to amend the bill by
adding the following: Provided this bill
shall not apply to any skilled laborer, who
! hal pstah bp IN
without any contract beyond which his labor
is the property of any person besides him
self.
Mr.. Farley suggested that all the Chinese
would claim to be skilled laborers.
Mr.. Hoar replied it would test whether the
ill struck at coolies or at skilled labor.
The amendment was reiected-yeas IL,
nays -.
Mr.. Hoar moved to amend by inserting,
providing any laborer who shall receive a
certificate from the United States consul at
the port where he shall embark that he is an
artisan coming to this country at his own
expense and of his own will, shall not be
affected bv this BILL Lost, 10 to "a
On motion of Mr.. Miller, provision d.
recting the removal of any Chinese unlaw-
fully found in customs collection district
by the collector, was amended to direct that
he shall be removed to the place from whence
he came.
On motion Of Mr.. Brown, the amendment
was adopted providing that the mark of a
Chinese immigrant, duly attested by wit
ness, may be taken as his signature upon a
certificate of registration issued to him.
The question then REQUIRED on an amend
ment offered by Mr.. Farley, that hereafter
no State court or United States court shall
admit the Chinese to citizenship.
MIR. Farley rose to speak upon what he
termed ''this bill of iniquities," but yielded
for adjournment, and the Senate at T. 10 ad-
iourned till tomorrow.
HOUSE.
Mr.. Reed, of Maine from the committee
on rules, reported amendments to the rules
presented by him some days ago, and printed
in the record. There has been some slight
notifications made, the most important of
which is the addition of the clause providing
that it shall be in order for the House. on
motion to go into committee of the whole, to
designate the bill which shall be first con-
sidered. The rule is also added, according
the second and fourth Mondays. after the
morning hour. to the consideration of bust
ness relative to the District of Columbia.
Laid over under the rules.