The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-06-29
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
The French Government and the Panama
Canal-The Sundry Civil Bill.
WASHINGTON June 2a-Under tie call of
States the following bills, etc., were introduced
and referred:
By Mr.. Beach, Of New York; Granting the Hot
Springs reservation to the State Of Arkansas
By Mr. Gallinger, of New Hampshire: A reso-
luton reciting that it is q matter of current
newspaper rumor that the officers of the Demo
cratic campaign committee, through person
now an employe of the government. are engaged
in soliciting contributions from Democratic Com
gressmen and others in the employ of the gov
eminent. and directing the committee on civil
service reform to investigate the facts, with a
view of ascertaining whether Section IL of the
civil-service law has been violated.
By Mr.. Randall, of Pennsylvania: To reduce
and equalize duties on imports, to reduce inter
nal revenue taxes and to modify the laws in re-
lation to the collection of the revenue.
By Mr.. King of louisiana The following
preamble and resolution:
Whereas, The French government gave its assur-
ance to the of the United States that the
project of M. De Lesseps private enterprise for
which the French government was in no wise respon
sible; and,
Whereas, The extraordinary expenditures Of the
Panama Canal Company have caused it to appeal for
aid to the of France to assist it by author
izing lottery loan of six hundred million francs for
the purpose of continuing the work OF constructions
and
whereas 1t is reported that the French government
has recently recommended to the Chamber of Depu-
ties to grant the necessary authorization; and.
Whereas Such an authorization win identify the
French government with the enterprise; therefore,
Resolved. That the United States win view with
great socitude and disfavor the contemplated action
of the French government any other measure cal
culated identify it with the Panama canal as such
action is opposed to the policy of the American peO
pie expressed by the chief executive of the United
is most emphaticaly repeated and reiterated by
the United States.
Resolved. That the Secretary of State be re-
quested to send to Congress- without delay all infor
nation bearing on subject of such vast Importance
aud aught with such danger to the national interests
Also. resolution appropriating 100000 for
the relief of sufferers from recent violent I'M
precedented and desolating storms in certain dis
tricts of northern Louisiana
the House then went into committee of the
whole-Mr. Reagan, of Texas in the chair--on
the sundry civil appropriation bill
Mr.. Morrow Of California moved to amend
the bill by increasing from $5, 500 to 80 600 the
appropriation to meet the expenses incurred un-
DER the Chinese naturalization act, and by add
ing a pr0visO requiring the Secretary of the
Treasury to cause to be prepared preliminary
and return certificates identifying more particu-
larly than at present the Chinese to whom thew
are granted. He went on to point out the de-
fects of the present laws The certificates now
used, instead of preventing the introduction of
Chinese labor, were an aid to immigration. The
defects in the law existed in the privileges ac-
corded to certain classes of Chinese by treaty,
to come and 60 at pleasure. Chinese
laborers were constantly coming to the
country under the pretense of belonging
to one or other of the classes The condition of
the Pacific coast, so far the Chinese question
was concerned, was worse than ever before, and
if Congress knew the whole truth of that ques-
tion the Burlingame treaty would not be in ex
istence one hour. He presented a petition pre-
pared under the auspices of the Knights of La
Dor Of the Pacific coast and signed by $4,000
persons. asking that some action should be taken
which would forever prohibit Chinese immi-
grafton
Mr. Belmont, Of New York, suggested that
absolute prohibition was not possible under the
treaty.
Mr.. Willis. of Kentucky, remarked that the
treaty could be repealed.
Mr.. Morrow said that the gentleman from New
York Mr.. Belmont, as chairman of the COM
mitteee on foreign affairs, should have brought
before the House some proposition which would
Assure the people that there a sentiment in
Congress 10 protect American labor against Chi
nese cheap labor
Mr.. Belmont answered that the committee had
reported back the eentleman's own bill
tut. uOEIOWs OOutiuuiuSs Sdiu THAT u prOL6CLlV6
tariff or tariff for revenue with incidental pro-
lection was but delusion and sham, if pauper
labor could come here and compete with our
own labor. Chinese cheap labor was the very
lowest form of free trade. This immigration
must absolutely cease American labor must
have protection. lApplause.l
Mr. Belmont, referring to the petition pre-
scented by the gentleman from California called
that gentleman's attention to the fact that in
Article of the treaty were the worlds "The
Cd aAko lofo limit
such coming or residence, but may not abso-
lutely prohibit it
Mr. FELTON, spoke in favor of the amendment,
contending that the government should furnish
the snews to carry the immigration law into ex-
ecution.
Mr. Worthington, of Illinois, also favored 1t.
All that was necessary was to require rigid OBJ
servance of the present law and there was no
necessity for willful abrogation Of all the
treaty stipulations between the United States
and China.
The amendment was adopted withaut division.
The clause relative to the expenses of the coll
lection of revenue from sales Of public lands
having been reached, Mr.. Laird. of Nebraska,
made a severe attack upon Commissioner Sparks
in his administration of the General Land Office,
aud quoted from number of letters written by
homestead settlers in his district denouncing the
Sparks orders anc characterizing SPARK as a
scouree worse than the erasshoppers.
Mr.. Cobb, OF Indiana defended the Commits
sioner, declaring that his action meeting
with the con emnation Of every iandgrabber
and speculator in the public lands. He quoted
from q letter from X. b. Washburne strongly in
dor sing the Commissioner of the Land Office,
and then quoted a report of q special agent ia
ken from the files of the Interior Department,
Indicating Mr.. Laird with land frauds in Ne
braska
Mr.. Laird indignantly denied the truth of each
and every allegation in the report; and he and
MIR. Cobb INDUCED in short and spirited col
loquy. in which they were heard to warn one
another against making threats.
Mr.. Randall, OF Pennsylvania. stated that he
han understood that the vote on Mr.. Morrow's
amendment. which was adopted this morning.
would NOT he taken until this afternoon. He
therefore asked unanimous consent that the
vote be annuiled. This was agreed TO, and then
the amendment was rejected-H to 81.
Mr.. Blanchard, Of Louisiana. moved to in
crease from e475000 TO S522, 600 the appropria-