Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1885-02-14
FORTY-ElGHTH COyGRESS.
second Session.
sen ATE.
WASHINGTON. Feb |

ing the meridian of Greenwich be adopted
iof all nautical and astronomical purposes
letter was read from SCHUYLER
oroso'' acting postmaster gen.
eral, upon the importance of securing posses
sion OF documents relating to the postoffice
department Of the late confederate States
the papers were referred
Mr.. Dawes, from the committee on appro-
prlations, reported the Indian appropriation
Dill with amendments; placed on the calen-
dar.
| Mr.. ingalls, said he had observed in certain
quarters the statement that the republicans
or the senate were endeavoring so to direct
! legislation as to compel an extra session. He
| asked Mr.. Allison, chairman of the appro-
pfiation committee, as to the order of the
appropriation bills.
Mr.. Allison said that the military academy
bill was the only bill that had yet become a
law, having been signed by the President
The District Of Columbia bill, the pension
Dill and the consular and diplomatic bill,
were now IN the conference committee. The
army bill had passed the Senate Yesterday
Inc Indian bill had just been reported by the
SENATE committee, and would, he hoped, be
considered by the Senate tomorrow. That
left with the Senate committee only the agri-
cultural bill, which would be ready for con-
sideration Monday. The postoffice bill, the
legislative, executive and judicial bills the
| naval bill and the fortiicaton bill had not
come up to the Senate from the House OF
these, the pOst0ffice bill was, he believed,
now under consideration in the House. The
legislative bill had been reported to the
House, and Is now on the House calendar
The sundry civil naval and fortiication bills
have not yet been reported TO the House from
Its committee on appropriations. SO far as
the Senate committee was concerned, he said
he could assure the Senate that its work was
and would continue to be well in hand, and
no delay would be caused by that committee.
If the House would take care of the bills
there would be no difficulty in the Senate
In Mr.. Ingalls, judgment nothing could be
worse for the country and all its various bus
mess interests than an extra session of Con-
gress.
Mr.. Hoar. from the committee on privil-
eges and elections. reported resolution
allowing Geo. E. Spencer, formerly senator
from Alabama, S7l32, it being the amount of
actual and necessary expenses in maintaing
the title to his seat no objection. The reso-
luton went over one day.
The Des Moines river lands bill was then
taken up, and Mr.. Lapham proceeded to
address the Senate.
Az CLOCK tne maItcr went over, MT.
Lapham retaining the floor.
The Texas Pacific land forfeiture bill, AS
the pending special order, was placed before
the Senate.
Mr.. Blair asked unanimous consent to take
up the anti-foreign contract labor bill.
Mr.. Van Wyck declined to yield.
Mr.. Blair moved that the Senate proceed
to the consideration of the labor bill
Mr.. Van Wvck asked the chair if this
would not again displace the forfeiture bill.
and relegated the calendar.
The chair said it would.
Mr.. Van Wyck called for the yeas and
NAYS on Mr. Blair's motion, and it was
agreed to-30 to 10.
The labor bill was therefore taken up and
its consideration proceeded with.
The labor bill is the House bill. 1t pro-
hibits any person or company from preparing
the transportation or encouraging the import
alton of foreigners under agreement to per-
form labor in the United States, and makes
void all contracts of that character A pen
atty of $1,000 is fixed for the infraction of
that provision. Shpmasters are forbidden,
under penalty of $500, to bring immigrants
who have made such agreements. Citizens
of foreign countries temporarily seJourning
| in the United States are not amenable to the
provisions of the bill as far as it relates to
| private secretaries or domestic servants.
| The bill does not apply to cases OF actors,
| professional singers, etc. nor Is 1t so to
| apply as to prevent persons or corporations
| from engaging in foreign countries workmen
| skilled in any industry not at present estab-
lished in the United States. provided the
| skilled labor for that purpose cannot be
otherwise obtained. The bill further pro-
vides that it shall not be construed to pro
hibit any individual from assisting any MEM
ber of hi, family or relative to immigrate to
| the United States.
Considerable debate arose on the bill.
Mr.. Hawley thought that parts of the bill
were in eontravention of national rights, ant
cited numerous instances in which he be
lieved the bill would be injurious.
Mr.. Blair had supposed the bill to be il
accordance with the principles of the declar'
alton of independence and the rights of man
kind. 1t was aimed, he said, not at immigra
ton. but at slavery-at the introduction o
servile labor. The wages of the working
classes should be protected from the effect,
of imported gangs OF laborers.
In tine course of his remarks. Mr.. Blai
alluded to the recent disturbances in Hook
ing Valley, which were attibuted to the clas:
of people this would exclude. These disturb
ances had already resulted in the loss o.
S4. .0O0, 900
Mr.. Ingalls, thought the bill was a measur,
in the right direction.
Mr. Bayard moved to strike out the section
affecting ship captains.
The discussion was continued at length b,
Messrs Bayard. Sherman, Frye and others
but without Pction the Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
The House met at 10 o'clock, it being
continuation of Thursdays session,
The Senate amendments were concurred il
to the House bill to prevent unlawful oceu
patton of public lands.
Mr. Willis of Kentucky. moved that whel
the House go into q committee of the
whole on the river and harbor bill, all debat,
on the pending section be closed in an houl
and a half.
Mr.. Reed of Maine, raised the point tina
the motion was not in order, as it was no
competent for the House to close debate OF
the paragraphs of a bill which had not We
been read in committee.
The Speaker said this point would hav,
been well taken if directed against genera
appropriation bills, but the river and harbo
bill had been repeatedly held to be neither
and the chair, therefore, overruled the poin
of order.
Mr.. Reed appealed from the decision. Suci
rulings would establish . precedent of mos
astonishing character. and one which mus
necessarily recoil on both sides of the House
Mr.. Long of Massachusetts, called the at
tention of the House to the fact that if tn,