The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1886-04-24

Debate on the Message In the House. :
To the Western Associated Press.
WASHINGTON. April 23.-The Presidents mes
sage upon the labor troubles having been read
by the Clerk, Mr.. Springer, of Illinois, moved
it's reference to the committee on labor, with
instructions to that committee to report upon it
by bill or otherwise, on or before May 15
Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia. thought that there
was no reason to believe that the committee
would not act diligently, and it was unusual to
instruct committees on such matters.
Mr.. Butterworth, of Ohio, moved to refer the
message to the committee Of the whole
Mr.. Butterworth's motion was lost-yeas n,
nays 147
Mr.. Reed, of Maine, regretted that there would
be do opportunity to discuss the message in COM
mittee of the whole. The result would have
been more speedy and useful legislation than
would be accomplished by its reference to
standing committee
There being thirty minutes debate allowed un-
der the rules Mr.. Butterworth 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 gentlemen as unwise, be-
cause it would not he reached at an early day.
Every gentleman believed, or affected to believe,
that the message presented a question of vast
consequence to the country. 1t had been his
purpose if his motion had prevailed, to ask
unanimous consent TO IX an early OdLo Tor con-
sideration of this question: with the hope and ex-
pectation that 1t might be fairly considered not
with view to controlling the elections in No.
vember, but with view to getting at right so
luton of the great problem. He wished that the
people could read what was passing in the minds
Of their assembled legislators here, and segre-
gate the patriotic from the selfish Who was
there that hoped and expected that his children
would eat bread except in accordance with Gods
ordinance-by the sweat of his face? He had
1. l.. al -
suffered from the hand of aff1iction, and who
would fight the battle of life against fearful
odds. and he protested against any legislation,
against any resolution, against any organization
that would segregate one of these boys and set
him apart as belonging to peculiar part of the
great constituency represented here. Gentle
men here could not elevate labor; God had
done that in the beginning. He was tired
OF this demagogism that sought to catch votes
not by asking what was the best for labor, but
what the workingmen could be induced to be-
lieve was best for them. He was in favor of or
ganizations which brought together all men and
recognized the universal brotherhood of men.
The bill which passed here few days ago was
hollow mockery and sham. IL was not even
intended to do anything for the laborng man; 1t
was mere tub to whale-a deliberate purpose
to catch votes. lie criticised the want of con-
sideration given to the arbitration bill by the
committee on labor. There had been no effort
to ascertain the facts. If member obtained
uIIe0u minutes 10 SPEAK on Tue Ulil. he ueVOCcQ
eight minutes to abusing Jay Gould, six min
uses to abusing corporations, and then surren-
dered the other minute of his time, being une.
quail to the task OF suggesting any remedy.
''Why didn't you suggest q remedyP asked
Mr.. ONeil, of Missouri
Because you didn't give me time even to open
my mouth replied Mr. Butterworth.
Mr.. Bland, of Missouri-We had bill here
some days ago that proposed to set the laborers
of the country at work-how did the gentleman
vote on thatg The contraction of the currency
is impoverishing the people to-day.
"Still harping on my daughter" quoted Mr.
Butterworth. in reply 'if we were discussing
infant baptism here the gentleman would stand
up and want to have the baptismal basin pur-
chased with standard silver dollars" Applause
In conclusion, Mr.. Butterworth said that Con-
gress owes it to itself to take up the labor ques-
tion and consider it carefully, and then refer the
subject to an appropriate committee. If it were
referred to committee now, he feared that a
measure would be reported representing, not the
needs of the hour, but the political necessity of
the coming campaign.
Mr.. Randall, Of Pennsylvania confessed to
feeling Of surprise at the heat which the gentle
man from Ohio had approached this subject He
desired 10 direct attention to the fact that the
Constitution made it tho duty Of the President,