Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1886-04-03
FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS-.
First Session,
HOUSE,.

HOUSE.
WASHINGTON, April 2.
Mr.. Harmer of Pennsylvania presented ,
memorial of shipwrights and caulkers
knights of Labor, protesting against the na.
sage OF free ship bill referred.
On motion of Mr. O'Neill of Missouri this
private business was dispensed with and tn,
House went into committee of the whole or
tne labor arbitration bill, all debate on tn,
nrst section to be limited to thirty minutes.
MI Dibble of South Carolina offered ar
amendment providing that the committee or
LABOR on the request of either of the partie.
10 controversy shall order an investigation
TO be made. The bureau of labor had beer
Ignored at this great emergency, he said
he purport of his amendment was to make
the commission Of labor factor in gathering
this Information.
MI. Negley of Pennsylvania offered an
amendment providing that the board of arbi
lration shall inquire into the practice of Ger.
tain railroad companies of maintaining the
company system Of life insurance to evade
the payment of damages for loss of life
through negligence or otherwise.
Mr. Phelps OF New Jersey had no doubt
that the laboring men would get their rights
IL was only question Of time and manner
ana he didn't dread the result. He only
dreaded the processes and he would do what
ne could to make those processes more eff
clent and orderly. They would get the
rights they lacked as they got those they pos
sessed, through public opinion. They would
attract, they would persuade, they would
convince the public, but the process must, of
necessity, be wasteful, disorderly and turbu.
lent, because they secured their rights only
by showing their wrongs
Mr.. Willis OF Kentucky expected to vote
for the bill. He favored it not because it
was harmless but because it took forward
step IN settling the greatest problem of the
age. Ii laborers organized and asked Con-
gress for the poor privilege of being heard
by peaceful arbitration in the name of JUS
tice, in the name of equal rights let their
complaints be heard and public opinion be
invoked.
Mr.. O'Neill of Missouri declared that the
knights of Labor were in favor of arbitra
ton. He stood here appealing for law, for
justice and for right, for today the country
was almost on the verge of volcano. The
people were standing idle and suffering for
food in the West on accout of the strike.
while constitutional cranks stood qulbbling
on the floor of the House. He appealed to
the members to stand by the committee on
labor, to vote down the amendment and to
put their heels on that class of men who
could suggest nothing, who were mere OBJ
and barnacles on the party and
who ought to have better sense.
The amendments were all voted down, but
the first section was modified in several par
ticulars.
The committee then passed on to the con-
sideration of the second section.
Mr.. Mckinley believed in the principle of
the bill 1t conferrt d no rights or privileges
touching arbitration which are not now en-
iOyed by common carriers or those engaged
in their service. 1t left them where it found
them, with the right of voluntary arbitration
to settle their differences through apeaceful
and orderly tribunal of their own selection.
1t only undertook to furnish to them ma
chinery for carrying on that arbitration.
Speaking of the strike on the Missouri Pa
citic, Mr.. Lawler of Illinois. declared that
without wishing to become communistic in
his utteraucts, he was free to say that if Jay
Gould was hung to lamp post in New York,
it would be blessing TO the community
known as the United States Laughter. |
The action of Jay Gould might cost hundreds
and taou.a ands of lives throughout the West
{
was nothing compared with what might occur
if the difficulties were not settled in those
States There was no sentimental basis in
this matter 1t was Just to workman. There
was no harm in this dill and the discussion of
it had a healthy effect upon the country.
Mr.. Kelley of Pennsylvania offered an
appropriating $4,000 for the
payment of expenses of arbitration, 1t was
rejected.
On motion of Mr.. Lowery of Indiana, an
was adopted providing that in no
case shall any witness be compelled to dis
close secrets or produce a record of any
labor organization OF which he may be an
officer or member.
Nr. Warner of Ohio would vote for the
bill, but with many msgivings as to whether
il would benefit the laboring classes of the
country, and in this connection he quoted
from a communication from Mr.. Curtin OF
Pennsvlvania, from Mr.. Powderly, in which
letter the gentleman SAYS "By all means in
your power endeavor to have the light of a
investigation thrown on these
men. who owe so much to American people,
who Cypress their workmen in the name of
the law. You will find great deal to ac-
complish in this in this investigation and ii
will do a great deal Of good to the people
The second section of the bill was agreed
to with certain amendments, recommended
bv the committee on labor. and the third and
fourth sections were agreed to without
change While the 18th section was under
consideration for the purpose of limiting the
debate, and before motion to that end could
be made, at 4.45, a motion to take recess
until 40 was agreed to, the evening session
being for the consideration of pensions bills
Mr.. O'Neil of Missouri, gave notice that
he would tomorrow ask the House to set aside
the special order for that day consideration
of the report from the coinage committee,
and proceed to the conclusion of the arbitra
ton bill.
The House, at the evening session, passed
So pension bills and at ,45 adjourned.
RAILROAD RATES.