The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-21
THE HOUSE.

THE HOUSE.
Mr. O'NeilI Finally Secures Four!Days for Con-
sideration of Labor BilLa
WASHINGTON, March 20.-On motion of Mr..
Ford, of Michigan, bill was passed creating a
port of delivery at Grand Rapids, Mich.
Mr.. Rockwell, of Massachusetts. called up the
bill appropriating s75. 600 for the erection OF
fre-proof workshop at the National Armory
After considerable debate it passed.
Mr. ONeill, of Missouri, introduced bill to
protect free labor and the industries in which it
is employed from the injurious effects of con-
wet labor by combining tn sales of goods, wares
and merchandise manufactured by convict la
Dor to the State in which they are produced.
penalty of fine and Imprisonment and a forfeit
ure of the goods is imposed for any violation of
the law. Referred.
Mr.. Enloe, of Tennessee. rising to gu estion
of privilege, read petition in favor of the bill
to regulate the classification and compensation
of postm asters. His petition. he said,
signed in response to circular sent out by
attorney in this city The circular named vari-
Gus members of Congress reference. but he
learned that those references were fraudulent.
Mr.. ONeill. of Missouri. from the committee
on labor. reported bill to establish depart
rnent Of labor. Referred to the committee OF
the whole Also the bill to prevent the product
of convict labor from being furnished to or for
in any Departments OF the government
Placed on the House calendar.
Bills were reported for the erection Of public
buildings at Sterling ILL.,. Richmond, Ind, and
Burlington, Ia, and referred to the committee
A bill was reported to authorize the President
to confer brevet rank on army officers for gal
liant services in Indian campaigns Placed on
the House calendar.
A bill was reported to prevent the employ
ment of convict aud alien labor en- public works.
Caledar.
A bill was reported authorizing the construc-
ton Of an arsenal for the construction OF ord
nance and ordnance stores at Columbia, Tenn.
Referred to the committee of the whole.
Mr.. Weaver, of Iowa. introduced bill pro-
viding for the issue of legal-tender treasury
notes In lieu of notes estimated to be lost or de-
In the morning hour the House resumed con-
sideration of tie resolution assigning four days
for the transaction of business reported by the
committee on labor
The opponents of the resolution, led by Mr..
Rogers, of Arkansas. proceeded to obstructive
methods to prevent action. After one rol-call.
Mr. O'Neill, of Missouri, stated that he was
willing TO amend the resolution oy 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 resorting to flibuster tactics.
Mr. Rogers said that the Rentl eman had no
right to impugn the motives of any gent eman
by charging that he was acting under pretext.
The charge made by the gentleman from Mis-
souri,, was not true. So far from acting under
q pretext, he was acting IN good faith and en-
deavoring to do the country 81 benefit The
reason he was offering obstruction TO this reso-
luton that the committee on labor, with
four bills on the calendar was asking to have
four days assigned to it. when the appropriation
bills remained undisposed OF, ano when the COM
mittee on ways and means was maturing bill
affecting the interests of honest labor hundred
times more than any conceivable proposition
which the committee on labor had iurisdic-
ton.
Mr. O'Neir of Missouri mention ed seven i'm
portant bills upon the calendar under report
from the committee on labor. will tell these
gentlemen, he said, that you indicating Mr..
Rogersl have talked out this morni ng hour; that
you have accomplished your purpose. and you
have simply been the tool that has been used
Mr. Rogers demanded that the words be taken
down, which was done, and they were read at
the Clerks desk.
tleman from Missouri be allowed to proceed in
order, and the motion being agreed Co, Mr..
O'Neill resumed the floor amid applause. He
said that the duties of members of the commit
tes on labor We're very arduous. and that
gentlemen on that committee we're plaoed
IL ab. dsSOnaced dsmacos s,ns
and as catering to the worklngnen whenever
they brought in bill in the interest of labor.
As chairman of that committee he had besn
obliged to stand here for two days in an effort
to secure the consideration of q number of i'm
portant labor bills and see the time frittered
away by men who as leaders OF the House,
should be the first to respond to the demands of
the workingmen for right to DO heard. APP
plause. II he had digressed in his remarks as
cause on Saturday. he had heard this man and
that man suggesting to certain members to
make such and such motion, NOS being willing
to stand up and shoulder the responsibility
themselves.
Mr. Rogers said that he would not emulate
the gentlem an from Missouri. He had too much
respect for the House and for hirnsslf to do So
When the gentleman charged that he Mr..
Rogersl was the tool of anybody, he charged
what was absolutely untrue. Early in the de-
bate he had asked that the timeliInItation clause
be stricken from the bill, but consent had been
refused.
Mr.. Tarsney, OF Michigan, said that PROPOSE
ton 20 that effect had been offered 20 the gem
tlemAn within the past twenty minutes.
Mr. Rogers replied that that was not true 1s
had been about to be offered when the gentle
man from Missouri had impugned his motives;
but it never had been offered.
Mr.. Buchanan, of New Jersey, in behalf of
the committee on labor, proposed an elimina-
to, Mr.. Rogers withdrew his opposition. and the
resolution was adopted. It sets aside the Goth
and 2lst Of March, the 18th of April and the 10Th
of May for the purpose stated.
Dir. O'Nell withdrew any remarks of per-
sonal and offensive character, being, he said,
willing to forgive everybody aud anybody.
In pursuance OF the terms of tina resolution
just adopted, the floor accorded to the COM |
mttse labor aud bills were passed for the |
and servants in tho District of Columbia and |
Territories. and extending the provisions of the |
eight hour law 10 ietter-carriers.
The bill referring 70 the Court of Claims for /
adjustment, the claims Of laborers. workmen /
and mechanics arising under the sight.hour law
was taken up.
Dir. Cannon, Of illinois, while ir favor OF any |