The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-19
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS-.
THE SENATE.
Trouble in Obtaining Quorum--Passage of
the Anti Foreign Contract Labor Bill.

Trouble in Obtaining q Quorum--Passage OF
the Anti Foreign Contract Labor Bill.
WASHINGTON, Feb 18-At IL o'clock the only
senator in the chamber was Mr.. Edmunds who
promptly, at that hour entered with the chaplain.
Mr.. Edmunds observing the situation, abstained
from taking the chair, and he and the chaplain
took seats on the floor. After few minutes
delay, Mr. Morrill, came in, and with his advent
two or three others, and the days proceedings
were so far begun as that the chaplain offered
PRAYER. This done. the few senators present in
dulged themselves awhile in eloquent silence,
which was finally broken by Mr.. Morrill, who
moved call of the Senate The call began with
| four senators and concluded with sixteen. That
not being quorum. the names of the absentees
were called. This brought ten more, but that
| being thirteen short of quorum matters came
| to stop.
Mr.. Conger inquired whether it was safe to
| proceed with the reading OF the journal OF yes
terday, and the Chair said mo"
Mr.. Conger remarked that he was not an
'alarmist,' and had OILY inquired for imforma-
ton.
Mr.. Hale asked that unanimous consent be
given to dispense with the reading. but the Chair
declined to entertain the proposition, the call
having shown the absence of quorum
After some further waiting, Mr. Miller, of
New York, entered, and said: Mr.. Presi-
dent"
The Chair recognized the senator from New
York, and then Mr. Miller gravely remarked:
mo, no." [Laughter.l
Mr.. Gibson was similarly recognized. and with
equal gravity announced the conclusion of his
mind to be mo"
At l1:20 the Chair announced quorum pres
ent, the journal was read, and the morning bust
ness proceeded with.
Mr.. Dawes from the committee on Indian af
fairs, reported an original bill to enable the
President to negotiate for the purchase from the
the Greek, Seminole and Cherokee nations of In
dams their remaining interest in the so-called
Oklahoma lands. Placed on the calendar.
Mr.. Hills bill, authorizing REIMBURSEMENT of
certain lots OF land Denver to that city for the
purpose of public library, was favorably re-
ported, and placed on the calendar.
Mr.. VanWyek introduced bill making an ap-
preparation of $50, 900 for improvement of the
Missouri river opposite Kansas City. Referred
| The Senate then went into executive session
| In twenty minutes the doors were reopened, and
| Legislative business resumed.
| Mr.. Lapham continued his remarks on the
| Des MoineS river land titles bill He was inter
| rupted by the regular order the antiforeign
| labor contract bill.
| Mr.. Butler said he had heard so much froth
ABOUT protection Of American labor that it was
| becoming nauseating How much meat, or fuel
! or protection from the weather would the Labor
Bureau give the American laborer2 We were
| patting that laborer on the head because some
| knight of Labor" had petitioned Congress for
something When labor asked for bread, we
| gave them. as in this bill. stone.
Mr.. Salsbury-A scorpion.
| Mr.. Butler-Even scorpion.
An amendment offered by Mr. Plumb, except
| ing professional artists from the provisions Of
| the bill, was agreed to.
| MIR. Lapham offered an amendment providing
that the whole penalty recovered shall be paid
| into the United States Treasury instead of, as
by the BILL permitting onehalf the penalty to go
| to the person who may first bring suit.
The amendment was agreed to, notwithstand-
ing energetic attempts by Mr. Blair to explain
that it would seriously impair the efficacy of the
bill. The debate not being according to the I'm
Outstanding, Mr. Blair complained that it should
not be INDUCED in by opponents of the bill if
they were not willing to permit debate by its
friends. Mr.. Blair then offered an amendment
making it the duty of the United Estates district
attorney of the proper dist riot to prosecute, at
the expense Of the United States. every case of
violation of the act Agreed to-yeas AZ, NAYS
10
The amendments in committee of the whole
being completed and the bill reported to the Sen
ate Mr.. Hawley moved that it be referred to the
committee on judiciary, with instructions to re-
port, not later than the Goth inst, bill! that
would more effectually reach the ends really
aimed at Rejected-yeas To- nays Al.
The bill was then passed-yeas so, nays g.
Following is the vote in detail