Morning journal and courier., 1885-02-18
4sth Congress---Second Session


mittee on the District of Columbia appropri
alton bill
Mr.. Beck inquired what had become of the
trade dollar bill, which seemed to have lost
its place in some mysterious manner.
The chair replied that it had gone on the
calendar.
Mr.. Sherman stated that the chairman of
the Finance committee (Mr. MorrilD intend
ed to move to take it up as soon as the for
eign labor bill was disposed of.
Discussion of the foreign labor bill was re-
sumed the pending question being on the
motion to strike out section three inficting
fine of 81 900 on any person or company vio-
lating the act, one-half to go to the person
first bringing suit therefor.
Mr.. Miller, of New York; as manufactu-
rer himself desired to say that the tnanufac-
turers of this country did not desire this
class of labor brought into the country and
he earnestly supported the bill.
Mr.. Vest, while supporting the general
principles of the bill, commended that the
first germ of this contract or coolie system of
labor was introduced into the United States
by bill reported by and passed through the
advocacy of the Senator from Ohio (Mr.
Sherman) on the Fourth of July, 1854, which
in providing fof commissioner of emigra-
ton enacted that pledge Of wages for
twelve months to repay advances to laborers
introduced under contract should be valid.
He further charged that the wide distress
prevailing among the laboring classes of the
United States to-day was directly attribute
BILE to the twenty-four years of protective
tariff maintained by the Republican party.
Mr.. Platt replied that the depression in the
labor market was not peculiar to this country,
but prevailed everywhere. The papers this
morning speak of three thousand hungry
men in the city of London, besieging the
office of the Prime Minister and demanding
work.
Mr.. Sherman replied with animation to
the remarks Of Mr. Vest He said the Sena-
tor from Missouri failed to remember the
circumstances under which the emigration
bill of 1864 was passed. At that time the
country was engaged in a vast war. The
Senator from Missouri was doing all he could
to break up the government. This was
one of the means devised to meet the emer-
gency. 1t was a temporary provision
designed for the war. Nearly all
the laboring men of the country were en-
gagged in attacking the enemy. Congress
there was no longer an enemy to fight, re-
pealed it. It was ridiculous to say that the
temporary measure which lasted only three
or four years, and like the CONSUMPTION act
and other measures grew out of the war, was
the fountain head of all the miseries of the
laborlng man. 1t was equally absurd to
make the bill under consideration, which had
been passed by House two-thirds Demo
cratic, the text for attack on the Republi-
can party.
The motion to strike out was lost, 12 to 40.
A similar motion with regard to the SEQ
ton was defeated without division. An
amendment offered by Mr.. Maxey to exclude
agricultural laborers from the provisions of
the bill was lost, IA to 81
Mr.. Morgan offered an amendment exempt
ing from the provisions of the bill State
agents acting under the authority of law. In
supporting his amendment Mr. Morgan ridi-
culed the bill as Gin short humbugging af-
fair" The ayes and nays upon his amend
ment were ordered, but before the roll was
called Mr. Ransom moved to adjourn, which
motion was defeated.
Mr.. Young took exceptions to the remarks
of the Senator from Alabama and expressed
the belief that the Senator misconeeived the
provisions of the bill.
Mr.. Morgan's amendment was defeated, 10
to 23.
Another amendment offered by Mr.. Nor
gan exempting from the provisions those
who shall assist persons out of foreign coun-
tries for the purpose of permanent settlement
in the United States was also defeated, II to
%.
vote upon the bill should be taken at p. m.
tomorrow and the Senate at $40 p m. ad-
journed.
HoUsE-Mr Dorsheimer introduced bill
to equalize the coinage of gold and silver, by
making silver dollars of 480 grains, with
silver bars based on the same valuation eff
490 grains to the dollar, and providing for
the issue of silver certificates based thereon.
The bill was referred to the Committee on
Coinage, Weights and Measures
Mr. Hutchins, of New York, from the Com
mittee on Naval Affairs. reported the naval
appropriation bill and gave notice that he
Iv0u16 call it nm tO-TnOrrONv
On motion of Mr.. Ellis, of Louisiana, the
House non-concurred in the Senate amend
nents TO the Indian appropriation bill and q
conference was asked.
The committees were then called in the
morning hour for reports and quite number
of bills, mostly for pensions, were reported
and placed upon the several calendars.
After some unimportant business, by unan-
nous consent the House went into Com
mittee of the Whole on the legislative appro-
priation bill. On motion of Mr.. Mills, of
Pennsylvania, the appropriation for the
bureau of labor statistics was increased from
$50, 900 to $4,000.
Mr. Curtin, of Pennsylvania, offered an
amendment increasing the salary of an ap-
pointee of his from that received by laborers
to that paid messengers, and called attention
to the fact that Indiana clerk had been
promoted in like manner as well from
Berks county. He appealed to Mr.. Holman
not to press point of order, but to let his
from the mountains in with those from In
dams and Berks county. ooh do" exclaim-
ed Mr. Curtin, ''and you will die happier
Qaughter.)
Mr. Holman asked if the gentleman
thought it wise to open this bill to increase
salaries on the motion of any member.
Mr.. Morse, of Massachusetts-''If right
why not!'
Mr.. Curt said if the three hundred and
twenty five men elected to represent the peo-
pie had to be bound and pinioned by rules
which gave the control to few men they
had better resign and let men be elected who
would not require to be bound (applause.)
The amendment was ruled out on Mr.. Hol-
mans point of order.
On motion of Mr. Long the clause reducing
the number of ports of entry was stricken
out.
After making various minor amendments
to the bill the committee rose and reported
the bill to the House. All the amendments
were agreed to in bulk except the one re-
ferred to- on which Mr.. Holman asked q
separate vote in the House, but the House
sustained the action of the committee and
the clause was stricken out and the bill
passed
At 6 o'clock the House took recess until
10 a. m. tomorrow.
SILVER CERTIFICATES.
A Bill to Provide for Their Issue.