The Indianapolis journal., 1886-04-11
THE FORTY-NINTH CONGRESS.
The Senate Passes the Bill Providing for the
Admission Of Washington Territory


presented was one by Mr.. Harrison, from the as
semblies of Knights of Labor of Fort Wayne
Ind, praying for the speedy passage by the Sem.
ate of the labor arbitration bill, already passed
by the House of Representatives. Mr.. Harrison
said be did not desire to anticipate the discussion
of the bill referred to, which had been favorably
reported by the Senate committee on education
labor and was soon to be taken up by the
Senate. The startling occurrences OF
which we had accounts from
day to day in the newspapers, Mr.. Harrison
said, were turning the attention of all lovers or
the good order and prosperity of the country to
the interests of Its working classes well as Of
those of employers of labor Arbitration was
the only course open for the peaceful, speedy
and just settlement of such disputes. Arbitra
tion, of course, must precede strikes and dis
turbances; arbitration implied calmness that
was not found when the contest had once been
inauvurated and passions aroused So far as
legislation could contribute to the securing of q
just settlement by arbitration and discussion in
advance of any controversies arising in connec-
tion with labor Congress would, by the enact
ment of such legislation contribute greatly to
the peace and happiness of the country.
The bill referred to being already on the cal
endar, the petition was laid on the table.
After routine business, on motion of Mr.
Platt. the Washington Territory admission bill
was taken up
Mr.. Eusts's amendment having been disposed
of, the question arose on amendment offered
by Mr. Morgan, requiring the Constitution of the
proposed new State to be submitted to Congress
and approved by IL before the admission of tha
State. This was offered to take the place of the
section of the bill which provides that the Terri
tory should be admitted to the Union on the
the proclamation of the President, when the
Territory should have complied with the proviSs
ions of the bill
Mr. Morgan's amendment was voted down
yeas 10, nays 25.
Mr. Mitchell, of Oregon. spoke in support of
the bill. He also advocated the speedy admis
sion Of Dakota and Montana.
Mr.. Salisbury said it not yet clear but
that we might have to pay an indemnity for the
matreatment Of the Chinese residents of Wash
ington Territory, and he thought Congress
should make some provision for reserving from
the fund going to the Territory proceeds Of
public lands an amount sufficient to cover such
possible indemnity.
Mr. Edmunds said the fund referred to was q
school fund. He deprecated any reduction Of
that fund The territorial authorities had exer-
cised full diligence to repress the disturbances
referred to. The acts referred to had been
wicked, but they had not been the acts Of the
citizens of the Territory, but of the foreigners
who in no way represented the feeling of justice
and good order characteristic of the people of
the Territory.
Mr. Edmunds favored the punishment Of the
acts of violence, and would favor the taking Of
such proper course by the United States as
would Oe required Dy the United states or a Tor
eign country If 1t had been American citizens
abroad that had been similarly treated. Still.
this did not, IN Mr.. Edmunds's opinion, render
it proper for Congress to pursue any abnormal
or unjust dealing with the school fund of Wash
ingt.n Territory.
The bill was then brought to vote and passed
substantially as reported from the COMMITTEES
yeas 80, nays 13. The Democrats voting with
the Republicans in the affirmative were Messrs
Butler, George, Jones of Arkansas, and Morgan.
TIsa affyau nfn xxnro oil tta
them being that of Mr.. Hearst, whose first vota
was cast on this bill.
The bill as passed authorizes the inhabitants
of the Territory of Washington aud the adjacent
part of the Territory of Idaho to form State
government with the name Of the State of Wash
ington. 1t provides for convention to formu-
late and adopt Constitution which shall be re-
publican In form and not repugnant to tho Con-
stituton of the United States, or to the princi-
pies of the Declaration of Independence The
persons who shall be entitled to vote are de-
scrbed by the bill to be the Qualified electors
resident within said boundaries" The conven-
tion is to meet at Wallawalla at such time az the
Governor of the Territory shall designate, and
when she new Constitution shall be completed il
shall be submitted to the people for ratification.
If ratified it shall be certified to the President of
the United States, who, IL the Constitution con-
form to the requirements Of this BILL shall, by
public proclamation, declare the State admitted
to the Union on an equal footing with the origi-
nal States, without further action by Congress.
The bill now goes to the House of Representa-
tives for concurrence.
Mr.. Morgan offered concurrent resolution,
which, at his request was laid over for the pres-
ent requesting the President to bring to the at
tention of the government of Nicaragua the mat
ter of the just claims OF citizens Of the United
States, with view to securing prompt and full
satisfaction of such claims. Adjourned.
The House transacted no BUSINESS of impor-
tance.