The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1886-04-24
FORTY.NINTH CONGRESS-.
DEBATE ON TIE PRESIDENTS
LABOR MESSAGE.
Some Little Progress Made on the
River and HarbOr Bill-In
the Committee Rooms.


yesterdays session and Immediately
went into committee OF the whole,
Mr.. Wellberne of Texas in the chair,
on the river and harhor appropriation
bill.
For an hour the bill was considered
and some little progress made, and q
few moments before noon the commit
tee rose, the House adjourned and the
session Of Friday was opened with
prayer by the chaplain.
The Presidents message upon the
labor trouble having been read by the
clerk, Mr.. Springer [Ill.l moved its
reference to the Committee on Labor
with instructions to that committee to
report upon it by bill, or otherwise, on
or before Nay 18th.
Mr.. Hammond [Ga.] thought that
there was no reason to believe that
the committee would not act diligent-
ly, and it was unusual to instruct a
committee on such matters.
Mr.. Butterworth lOhio] moved to
refer the message to the committee Of
the whole.
Mr.. Butterworth's motion was lost
yeas, n; nays, lH.
Mr.. Reed me regretted that there
would he ne opportunity to discuss
the measure in committee Of the
whole. The result would have been
more speedy and useful legislation
than would be accomplished by its
reference to a standing committee.
There being thirty minutes debate
allowed under the rules, Mr.. But err
worth secured the floor. The object
Of his motion to refer the message to
the committee of the whole, he said,
had been considered by some gentle
men as unwise, because it would not
be reached at an early day. Every
gentleman believed or affected to be-
lieve that the mes age presented a
question of vast consequence to the
country. II had been his purpose, il
his motion had prevailed, 10 ask unan-
imous consent to fix an early day for
the consideration OF this question,
with the hope aud expectation that it
might be fairly considered-not with
view to controlling the elections in
November, but with view to getting
at right solution Of the great prob
lem. He wished that the people
could read what was passing in
the minds Of the assembled legislators
here, and segeeate their desire to do
what was best for the country from
what was regarded az a mere expedi-
ent to catch votes. He protested in
the name of American manhood
against any policy that segregated one
part OF his fellow. citizens and get them
apart az if they had an interest in con-
fiict with the great mass OF the people.
Who was there that hoped and ex.
pected that his children would eat
bread except in accord with Gods Or
dinance, "by the sweat Of his face"
He had three boys AT his hesrth.stone,
one Of whom had suffered from the
hand OF afliation and who would fight
the battle of lie against fearful odds,
and he protested against any leg,sls-
ton, against any resolution, AGAINST
any organization, that would segregate
one Of these boys and set him apart as
belonging to a peculiar part OF the
great constituency represented here.
Gentlemen here could elevate labor.
God had done that in the beginning,
He was tired of this demagogism that
sought 10 catch votes, not by ask
ing what vas the best for 'labsr,
but what the workingmen could be
induced TO believe what WIS best
for them. He was in favor Of
organisitens which brought together
all men and recognized the brother
hood OF men. The bill which passed
here a few days ago was a hollow
mockery and a sham. 1t was not even
intended TO do anything for the labor
ing men. II was mere tub to
whale, deliberate purpose TO catch
votes. He criticised the want of con-
sideratiOn given to the arbitration bill
by the Committee on Labor. There
had been no effort 10 ascertain the
facts. Ii q member secured fifteen
minutes to speak on the bill be de-
voted eight minutes to abusing Jay
Gould, six minutes to abusing corpora
tions and then surrendered the other
minute of his time, being unequal to
the task of suggesting any remedy.
"Wby did not YOU suggest a rem
edy ?" asked Mr.. 0'Neill [ Mol
Because you did not give me time
to open my mouth" replied Mr.. But
terworh.
Mr.. Bland mo. I've had a bill
here come days ago that proposed t.
set the lsborers Of the country at
work. How did the gentleman vote on
that2 The contraction of the cur
rency is impoverishing the people to-
day.
''Slil barpiDg on my daughter,
quoted Mr., Butterworlh in reply. "If
we we're discuss ng infant baptism
here the gentlemen would stand up
and want 10 have the baptismal basin
purchased with standard silver dol
lars" Applause,
In conclusion, Mr.. ButterWorth said
that Congress owes It to itself to lake
up the labor question and consider it
carefully and then refer the subject to
an app opTiate committee. II it were
referred to a committee now he feared
that a me azure would be reported rep
sentiDg not the needs of the hour, but
the political necessity OF the coming
campaign.
Mr.. Randall PA ]confessed to feel
ing ct surprise at the heat with which
the gentleman from Ohio had sp-
preached this subject. He desired to
direct attention to the fact that the
constitution made il the duty of the
President from time to time to CON-
municste to Cong ess, touching the
state Of the Union, aud recommend
such measures as he shall deem neces-
sary and ezpe dent. The President had
not ventured hair beyond that, and
how was he met here7 He was net
here with an assault on his motives.
There was not one word against the
propos ton which he made on the con-
tTsry, there Yves not an intelligent man
in the country but knew that the pres.
emit condition Of the labor Of the coun-
try commanded the attention of Con
gress. 1G WR9 easy to que ton mems
motives. He hRe also supposed that
the right TO question the mo ives of q
humsn being rested with a higher
power. He asked that the message
should have due CossideIa ion and de.
Liberation, and a remedy for the trOu.
bles conceived, if possible, and enact
ed into law. BE declared thst there