St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-02-18
PAupERs AND CRIMINALS
The Bill for the Exclusion of Foreign
Dead Beats Under Discussion in
the Senate.

the senate
WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-The anti-foregn
contract bill was the leading measure before
the senate to-day. Senator Miller of New York
supported the bill which would strike out the
clauses prescribing penalties for the violation
of the law. He was in full sympathy with
the bill. 1t simply me ant that white
slavery should not any longer be tolerated in
this country. European countries had been
for years dumping their paupers and crimi-
nails upon our shores and the time was COM
ing when We would have to pass more strin-
gent measures to protect ourselves. We
could not afford to leave our ports open to
such impOrtations. We should soon need to
inquire as to the character Of every person
coming here. Senator Morgan did not wish
to see bad precedent established. A pre-
cedent that might lead hereafter to the pas
sage of law refusing to
CoLoRED MEN
the right to come from the South to the North
in search of work. Senator Miller assured
Senator Morgan that the people of the North
would never pass a law 70 interfere with the
coming of any class of people who should
come OF their own free wills and were not
criminals or paupers. Senator Vest expect
ed TO vote for the bill. He had no doubt of
its constitutionalIty. 1t was the exercise,
power and right to preserve the life Of our
institutions and our civilization. It was not
intended to exclude any self-reliant man
from coming to the United States. He was
glad to see that Senator Sherman and other
Republicans favored this BILL Senator Vest
said that Senator Sherman was himself the
father OF bill to establish the Office of COM
missioner of immigration, one section
of which provided that all contracts made
abroad for the repayment OF passage
money by intending immigrants shall be
biuding here and be a lien on their wages or
lands. According to the newspaper accounts
there were
$4,000 MEN OUT OF EMPLOYMENT
in the streets of New York, and ''this,'
Vest exclaimed, ''after twenty-four years of
Republican ascendency and protective
tariff. " Senator Morrill, said he had never
discussed the tariff when it was not under
consideration, but Vest should not give blows
without being prepared to take blows in re-
turn. The tariff policy which Vest would
pursue, Morrill, said, would throw a very
much larger number of men out of employ
ment now, and it may be that much of the
hOh experienced III ldUOT interests
was due to fears that had been entertained of
radical interference with the tariff.
Labor was in as great trouble in the couu-
tries OF Europe as Of America, If not in
greater trouble. To offset Vests remark S
about the responsibility of the Republican
party and protective tariff for the present
hard times, Senator Morrill, asked Senator
Vest TO look at the conditions of industry af-
ter long lease of power by the Democratic
party. Senator Morrill, then read from Pres
ident Bnchanan's first message statement
that the industries of our country are in a
deplorable condition. With all the elements
of national wealth we find our manufactures
suspended, our public works retarded, our
private enterprises abandoned, and
THOUSANDS or IABoRERs
thrown out of employment and reduced to
want" Senator Morrill, commended this
picture TO the contemplation of his friend
from Missouri (VcsD.
Senator Plumb favored the bill, but thought
1t might be amended In its details. Senator
Dawes spoke earnestly and strongly in its
favor. Senator Sherman entering the Der
said he understood during his momentary
absence that the senator from Missouri
Vest had alluded to him in connection
with the act Ia encourage immigration passed
july 1864 That act Senator Sherman said
was 4 temporary measure. The senator from
Missouri Vest ought 10 have remembered
that at that date OF its passage this country
was engaged in one Of the most memorable
struggles of history. Our laborer had been
taken from our homes TO put down formid-
able rebellion. The gentleman from Missouri
was not at that time aware Of the motives
that Influenced congress in the passage Of
that act.
Senator Vest replied TO Senator Sherman
In a brief speech. \ number OF amend
ments TO the bill were offered, but all de-
feated, the bill laid over until Tomorrow
when A VOTE will Oroh1bIy he had urnn IL