National Republican., 1888-03-21
THE HOUSE.

Mr.. Rockwell Of Mississippi, called up
the bill appropriating $4,000 for the cree
tion of freproof workshop at the ma
tional armory.
Mr.. Bland, of Missouri, opposed 1t in a
speech in which he favored a general law
regulating the erection Of public buildings,
and in which he denounced the present
method of transacting business with refer
ence to such buildings.
Mr.. Rockwell replied by pointing out the
immediate necessity which existed for the
building in order to avert the danger of fire
at the national armory and by calling atten-
ton to the fact that the bill was earnestly
recommended by the Navy Department.
Mr. Bland fought the measure at every
point, but it was finally passed.
Mr.. O'Neill, of Missouri, introduced
bill to protect free labor and the industries
in which II is employed from the injurious
effects of convict labor by conGning the
sale Of goods, wares, and merchandise
manufactured by convict labor to the state
in which they are produced. A penalty of
fine and imprisonment and forfeiture of
the goods is imposed for any violation of
the law. Referred.
Mr.. Enloe, Of Tennessee, rising TO a
question of privilege, read petition in favor
Of the bill to regulate the classification and
compensation Of postmasters. This petit
tion, he said, was signed in response to a
circular sent out by an attorney In this city.
The circular named various members of
Congress as reference, but he had learned
that those references were fraudulent.
Mr.. ONeill, of Missouri, from the com
mittee on labor, reported the bill to estab..
lish department Of labor. Committee of
the whole.
Also, the bill to prevent the product of
convict labor from being furnished to or for
use in any department of the government
House calendar.
Mr. Tarsney, of Michigan, from the com
mittee on labor, reported the bill to prevent
tho employment Of convict and alien labor
on public works, House calendar,
In the consideration morning hour the
House resumed the consideration of the res
olution assigning four days for the transac-
tion of business reported by the committee
on labor.
The opponents of the resolution, led by
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, proceeded to OBJ
structive methods TO prevent action. After
one roll call Mr.. O'Neill, of Missouri stated
that he was willing to amend the resolution
by striking out the clause limiting the time of
debate ON each measure called up. He
would do this, he said, In order to remove
the preteXt under which gentlemen were re-
sorting to filibustering tactics.
Mr.. Rogers said that the gentleman had
| no right to impugn the motive OF any gen
tleman by charging that he was acting under
| n preteXt.
The labor committee had but four bills on
the calender and wanted four days in which
| to consider them.
Mr.. O'Neill, of Missouri, mentioned
seven important bills upon the calender
| under report from the committee on labor.
~ will tell these gentlemen," he said, 'that
| YOU Indicating Rogers have talked out
| 90 .,r,,tr han hut haUa
| plished your purpose, and you have simply
| been.the tool that has been used for the
Mr. Rogers demanded that the words
| be taken down. which was done, and they
were read at the clerks desk.
| Mr.. Cox, Of New York, moved that the
| gentleman from Missouri he allowed to pro.
ceed in order, and the motion being agreed
to, Mr.. O'Neill resumed the floor amid ap
| plause.
He said that the duties of members OF tho
committee on labor were very arduous, and
that gentlemen on that committee were
placed in very peculiar position, being
liable TO be denounced as demagogues, and
as catering to the workingmen whenever
they brought In bill In the interest OF labor
As chairman of that committee he had beer
obliged to stand here for two days In an eifor
to secure the consideration of number Of
important labor bills, and see the time frlt
tered away by men who, as leaders of the
House, should be the first to respond to The
demands of the workingmen for a right Il
be heard. [Applause.l
Ifhe had digressed In his remarks as t.
why certain men did certain things 1t wa
because Saturday he had heard this man an(
that man suggesting to certain members Il
make such and such motion, not beinl
willing To standu and shoulder the re
sponsibility themselves.
Mr.. Rogers said that he would not emu
late the gentleman from Missouri, lie hat