The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-02-14
PROCEEDINGS OF CONGRESS.
The Senate Deyotes the Day to Debate
On the Imported-LabOr Question.
Mr.. Ingalls, Thinks the Time Is at Hand
When 1t Will Be Necessary to Impose
Restrictions on immigration.
THE SENATE.
Condition of the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on
the Labor Question.

Condition of the Appropriations-Debate on
the Labor Question.
WASHINGTON. Feb 13.-Mr. Dawes, from the
committee on appropriations, reported the In
dian appropriation bill, with amendments.
Placed on the calendar.
Mr. Ingalls, said he had observed in certain
quarters, statement that the Republicans of
the Senate were trying so to direct legislation as
to compel an extra session. He asked Mr.. AL
lison, chairman of the appropriations committee,
as to the condition of the appropriation bills
Mr. Allison said the military academy bill was
the only bill that had been signed by the Presi
dent; the District of Columbia bill, the pension
bill, and the consular and diplomatic bills were
now in conference committees the army bill
passed the Senate yesterday; the 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 agricultural bill, which would be
ready for consideration On Monday. The other
appropriation bills had not yet come to the
Senate from the House. The work of the Sen
ate committee was. and would continue to be
well in hand. If the House would take care OF
the bills, there would be no difficulty in the
Senate.
Mr.. Beck said he had had many years exper
fence on the appropriation committees of both
houses and he thought the work the appro-
priation bills in the House was better up than
usual for short session.
Mr.. ingalls, was glad to have assurance that
the appropriation bills were likely to get
through, and denied that the Republican sena-
tors desired an extra session. If there was to
be an extra session, the responsibility for it
would depend upon the party friends of the head
OF the next administration.
Mr.. Hoar, from the committee on privileges
and elections, reported resolution to allow
George II. Spencer, formerly senator from
Alabama, 81, 300, being actual and necessary ex-
penses In maintaining the title to his seat
Mr.. Salisbury said that, as member of the
committee, he did not concur in the resolution
On objection by Mr.. Cockrell the resolution
went over one day.
The Des Mones river lands bill was then taken
up, and Mr.. Laphan addressed the Senate.
at L p NJ. the matter went over for one day.
Mr. Lapham retains the floor.
Mr.. Hoar from the conference committee on
and Senate conferees were unable to agree. The
disagreement, Mr.. Hoar said, had taken place III
the first week of the session.
The Texas Pacific landforf bill, as pend
ing special order, was placed before the Senate.
Mr.. Blair asked unanimous consent to take up
the anti-foreign contract labor bill, but Mr.. Van
WICK declined to yield.
After debate the Senate decided to consider
the labor bill.
Mr.. Van Wyck asked the Chair if this would not
displace the Texas Pacific forfeit bill and
relegate 1T to the calendar. and the Chair said it
would
Mr.. Van Wyck-Then want that distinctly
known. He called for the yeas and nays on
Mr. Bair's motion. and it was agreed to--yeas 30,
nays 10. The labor bill was, therefore, taken
up and its consideration proceeded with.
The labor bill is a House bill, and entitled San
act to prohibit importation and migration of
foreigners and aliens under contract or agree
ment to perform labor in the United States it's
Territories, and the District of Columbia
There was considerable debate on the bill. Mr.
Hawley thought some parts of the bill in con-
travention of natural rights.
Mr.. Mcpherson thought it would prevent peo-
pie from coming here, even as colonists.
Mr.. Blair said the wages of the working classes
should be protected from the effects of imported
gangs of laborers In the course of his remarks
Mr. Blair alluded to the recent disturbances in
the Hooking valley, which were attributed to
the class of people that this bill would exclude
These disturbances had already resulted in a
loss of 81, 900. 900.
Mr.. ingalls, said he sympathized with Mr.
Hawley in his regard for natural rights but we
were confronted with portentous exigencv
We should Soon be called on to decide whether
every man, woman and child on the face of the
earth. no matter in what condition of physical or
intellectual development or moral standing, has
natural right to come to the United
States and do and act as he pleased,
to the detriment of those already here
There were at this present moment, Mr..
Ingalls, said, 500.0 900 wage workers in this coun-
try who were idle, but were willing to labor
With their dependent women and children, that
would make 5000 900 people who, amid the ex-
traordinary rlgorS of an unusually inclement
winter were suffering for the necessaries of life
They needed shelter; they needed clothing that
might be manufactured from the surplus pro-
auctions of our factories now stored in ware
houses and wanting purchasers; they were in
need of the corn that was to-day being used for
fuel on the plains of Nebraska and of the wheat
that was being fed TO hogs in the valleys of Kan
sas. The question was, had we the right to pro-
tect our own citizens against dangerous and deter
mined competition, whether forced by the
ambition of those desiring to improve their cond-
ton or by the cupidity of those who were indif-
ferent as to the means they employed to swell
their already great gains2 The nations of the
EARTH under this doctrine of natural rights !"
had been dumping their paupers. and criminals
and dangerous and uneasy classes upon us, until
in Mr.. Ingallss opinion. In view of recent events
In New York Cincinnati and Chicago the time
had come to consider whether we might not be
called upon to modify, in some degree, our
views as to the significance OF the Declaration of
American Independence and the. universal rights
of man. 1t was becoming a very serious
question Mr. Ingalls, added, how we should Sc
cure what we had If we did not take care, the
danger that had threatened despotsms would
WIN rutneSS rage, assam the institutions or re-
publican freedom Another financial crash
might witness dangerous assaults upon our in
situations. AS to The bill under discussion, while
Mr. Ingalls, thought some of its provision not
altogether unexceptionable it was measure in
the right direction. It would protect our labor
ers from an infamous free trade in labor that was
worse than African slavery, because it involved
ignoble and degrading ompetition-ignoblea and
degrading alike to those VINO make the con-
tracts and to those who accept them,
IJnxr vtau @ln+@
disturbing elements in our large cities but he
saw abundant reasons for hope, nevertheless.
The great agencies Of civilization were aburd-
antly able to cope with any destructive ten
dency. Every workingman who had saved 800,
or secured for himself, no matter how humble,
a home. had given bonds to society to protect it
against the pernicious evils referred to- but at
any rate. MIR. Hawley said, the bill would not
exclude the dynamite consprator or the roaring
Socialist. He freely acknowledged the evils
complained of; the contract system was
shameful wrong against the spirit of American
industry end society, but the BILL in its present
oh