National Republican., 1884-06-20
THE HOUSE.

The house met AT 10 q. m. in continuation OF
Wednesdays session, and resu ned consideration
of the Pacific railroad bill, Mr.. Thompson Of
Kentucky, who had charge OF the bill. having an
hour to close the debate, lie yielded IL part of his
time to Mr. Dunn, of Arkansas, who advocated the
majority bill, and characterized the minority bill
us IL scheme that came from the railroad COM
panles themselves and tnat would give them
sixty years time 10 invent plan how 10 cheat
the government.
Mr.. Millurd, of New York, favored the majority
bill H. one that would protect the government.
Mr.. Thompson. of Kentucky, defended the hill
against the criticisms made against 1t in debate.
The first question was on the amendment offered
by Mr. ThO!npsun, vi Kentucky, to make tue ag-
gregate yearly contril u!iOn of the Central Pacific
company 90 instead of 80 per cent. ofthe net earn
ings, and lhat of the kausas Pacific 40 per cent.
WEe amendment was agreed to.
Tue question was then taken on the minority
MIR. Hewitt of S1w York, moved to reconmlt
the bill, with instructions to report by the thira
N0nday in December bill by VIII ch the sinking
funds OF the companies shall be enlarged by addi-
tional payments. so that the debt due to the gov
ernment may be surely paid at maturity.
The motion TO rocommit was rejected-65 to 81.
Tic bill was then passed without division.
Mr.. Branard, of Pennsylvania, from the com;
mittee On public buildings and grounds, reported
u resoutl, n that the charges OF corrupt or collu
sive action on the part of the treasury or some OF
his subordinats in connection with the selection
aud purchase OF a site for the federal building at
broOklyn have not been sustained,
Alter nnLf an hours discussion motion was
made by Mr.. Young, of Tennessee chairman oil
the comniuee), to recommit the report. This mo.
tion brought out protest from Mr.. Slocnm, of
Till next session, and that the halls OF the capitol
had been crowded with the agents of men who
bad otner property to sell and who had used Mr.,
ton which he had offered the other day.
Mr.. Holman Indignantly repelled the intima-
tion.
The motion to recomnit was rejected aud the
resolution WAS adopted.
Mr. Hopkins, of Pennsylvania from the com.
inittec on labor, called the bill to prohibit the
importation and migration of foreigners and
nlieus under contract TO perform labor. IL makes
iEuHlawlul TO enter into an agreement or contract
with any foreigner or allen to perform labor or
service Of any kind IN the United States to pre-
pay the transportation, or in any way assist or
encourage The importation or migration Of any
alien OF foreigner under contract or agreement!
made-special, expires, or implied, IL declares
all such contracts void and of no effect It makes
IL crime, punishable with fine and i'm pTlsoument,
ior any master Ui ship 10 land such aliens or
foreigners under contract, III any United States
skilled wor men in any new industry not al
present. established here, provided that skilled
labor for that purpose cannot be otherwise OBJ
tanned, nor TO professional actors, lecturers, Oh
singers, ~
made speech In favor OF the bill.
Mr.. Maybury, of Michigan, afler brief argu-
snenl as TO the cOnslLutionaity of the measure,
denounced the system of contract labor.
Mr.. COnnally, of Pennsylvania, portrayed the
dangers TO which the American workngmen
Uoul1 be subjected If some meBsure Will not
framed 10 put stop to the importation Of foreign
labor.
MIR. o'Nuall. of Missouri briefly advocated the
nll us being one for the protection OF American
Mr.. Cox, ofNew York, favored the measure be-
cause II protected labor without giving bounties
u those VINO employed IT,
Mr.. Wallis, oi Kentucky, congratulated the COM
nit,ee ON labor that, not only IN this but in the
bill e.lablishnga bureau OF labor statistics it had
responded TO Il sentiment which had been justly
Pre-. ing for recognition for many yerrs.
Mr., Dngley of 'MGine, said that while many of
the provisions OF tRe Dill were crude and imper-
feet yet he was in sympathy with It's object so far
ls ~ wa Intended 10 prevent the importation OF
lhborers under contracts made in iOreisn cOun-
tries under foreign conditions and ~ foreign
wages, VINO came here not TO make for themNelYe
permanent homes, aud not free to make engage
ments. lie welcomed every laDorer who came To
our shores Tor The purpose of taking advantage OF
American institutions and American wages.
Mr., y Neill read the act of July, 1864, which he
declared TO be an act to encourage tho mporta-
ton ol alien labor under contract. l. was a Dlow
VI American labor, and had been dealt by party
claiming monopoly of protecting American
workmen American ciiizeus had a right t. de-
mBnd protection against imported contract labor
when Introduced solely 10 defeat the honest efforts
OF labor to obtain u fair proportion of the profits
guaranteed from munihceAt system of protection
10 goods but not to men. Humanity demanded
that the poor workmon Of other lands should moi
be left 10 starYe ON tho hillsides after having
sorYed the purpose of capital In bringing to sub
mission the American lab orers who dared to ques
ton the policy of organized capital whose motto
was the smallest wages and the highest dividends