The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1882-03-16

The consideration OF the post office appropri-
alton bill was resumed. The pending amend
ment to make PROVISION relating to sub-con-
tracts applicable only to contracts hereafter
made was agreed to. An increase in the item
for compensation of post Office clerks OF $780,
600 prevailed. The next amendment reported
bv the Senate was an item on the Sub-letting
Of contracts and declares:
If the contractor subcontractor shall SEQ fit to
pay the carrier within two months of the end of a
quarter the department shall pay the debt and
charge it to the contractor.
fails perform servc on any one OF them the pay
for the others shall be withheld until all the penal
ties are satisfied
The amendment gave rise to a somewhat
protracted discussion, in the course OF which
Messrs. Hawley became involved IN personal
controversy upon what the latter construed
to be an unwarrantable criticism on the part of
Mr.. Dawes in attributing his efforts to show
the unreasonableness of the amendment in its
practical operation to special anxiety Tor the
interests of mail contractors. A modification
of the amendment by the transportation OF sew
eral words was made and the committee
amendment as modified was adopted.
Without further progress the Dill was laid
over as unfinished business for tomorrow and
the tariff commission bill was again takens up
as regular order.
Mr.. Allison submitted the report of the COM
mittee on appropriations with the testimony
taken in what is known as the Treasury con-
testimony was tabled temporarily and ordered
printed.
Mr. Hough of Tennessee, chairman of the
committee on war claims reported back the
bill for allowance of certain claims reported al
lowed by the accounting officer of the treasury
department, and after debate the bill was pass
ed. 1t appropriates $291,0O0, mainly for
claimants in Tennessee.
Mr.. Rice of Ohio offered resolution direct
-, in fr inn
whether the conviction OF Sergeant Mason by
a military court and proceedings there under
are not in violation of the laws and
constitution of the United States and report !
their determination to the House, and giving
the committee leave to send for persons and
papers. Deferred.
Mr.. Hiscock of New York, chairman of the
committee on appropriations, reported back
the Senate bill making furthers appropriations
to relieve the sufferers by the overflow of the
Mississippi. The committee recommended the
adoption of amendments increasing the amount J
appropriated from 100000 to 100000 and
authorizing the Secretary of War to expend
such part thereof as is proper for labor in
strengthening The levees OF the Mississippi
river but providing that he shall only employ
persons to whom he is issuing rations on &C
count of restitution.
The Senate bill making further appropria-
lions for the relief of the sufferers from the
overflow of the Mississippi with amendments
recommended by the appropriation committee
increasing the amount to $3.50, coo and author
izing the Secretary of War to strengthen the
levees of the Mississippi whore there is dam
ger of immediate breaks was passed.
The House then resumed the consideration
of the Chinese bill, and was addressed by Mr..
Page of California.
Mr.. Page said California wanted white labor
but white laborers would not 60 to state
where one-Sixth of the male population were
Chinese. He was willing to extend his hand
to every laborer who sought in this country to
better his condition or obtain an asylum from
tyranny but would not extend his hand to
slave brought here under contract. Pro-
cseding to review the provisions of the bill he
argued they were in exact conformity with
treaty stipulation. Mr. Page appealed to the
Republicans to come to the support of the bill.
The Republican party had solemnly promised
in the national convention that Chinese i'm
migration should be checked. Was Chinese
plank put into the platform for the purpose Of
catching votes or as a plank to notify the peo-
pie of the country that the great Republican
party was in full accord with the sentiment OF
the people of the Pacific coast? Mr.. Page sent
to the clerks desk and had read the celebrated
"Morey" letter and President Garfield's letter
of denial and sserted that there was not one
person who did not believe the "Morey" letter
was an absolute forgery. 1t was impossible
for Mr.. Garfield ever TO have written such
an infamous letter as that. And yet what was
in the letter beyond the sentiments expressed
by advocates of Chinese immigration? The
protectionists demanded protection for Amer
lean industry; he demanded protection for
American labor. The Democratic party in
the House would support the bill. Let the
Republican party do SO also and thus redeem
the pledge it had made to the country. In
conclusion he conetnded that the 20 years
limit was not too extended.
Mr. Robinson Of Massachusetts-Let us
have an experience of 10 years and If the
people consider it wise it can be extended.
Mr. Page-Wiil you vote for the bill at ten
years? Il
Mr.. Robinson With some other small al.
Mr.. Tyler spoke in favor of an extension of
five or ten years.
Mr. Rice of Massachusetts opposed the bill
and war of words ensued between that gen.
gleman and Mr.. Page. In reply to question
Of the latter as to whether he stood by the
platform in the last national Republican con-
vention, Mr. Rice replied decidedly in the af-
6rmative, and added, "let me explain what the
Republican platform really means, and show
that stand on it better than the gentleman
does. 1t is the Democratic platform that says
mo immigration: it is the Republican platform
that recognizes the right of every nation to
protect itself against pauperism. disease and
crime and which says restrict and regulate
immigration SO it shall not endanger the eoun-
try or any portion of it. He is worse than an
infdel who does not protect his own family,
and l will protect every section OF these United
States by proper guards against immigration so
disease and crime. That is what the Republic
can platform means. Not to prohibit it, not to
suspend it, but to regulate it, control it and
make it instead of a curse, instead of an in
jury, blessing and source of prosperity.
Mr.. Rice objected to the bill because it was
In conflict if notwith the words at all events
with the spirit of the treaty.
Consideration of the bill was then suspended.
Mr. Money. stating he rose to privileged
question: sent to the cerk's desk and had read
the official notes of the Speakers remarks
made when he Money was attempting to get
the floor this afternoon to speak on bill for
the relief of sufferers from the Mississippi
overflow. "Mr. Speaker" he then said, Il
want to state the circumstances which attend
ed this very remarkable declaration by the
Speaker.
He was not allowed to proceed further but
the Speaker called him to order and said,
1.-THE chair understood the gentleman to rise
for the purpose of suggesting something that
was privileged"
A heated controversy here eDsued between
the Speaker and Mr.. Money, in which several
other members participated. Mr.. Money re-
peatedly insisted upon his right to explain his
position, the Speaker each time refusing to al
low him the floor under the guise OF privi-
legged question for the purpose of making an
assault upon the chair.
The matter was then dropped and the House