The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1888-05-23

WASHINGTON, D. c., May 22.-The
floor was accorded to the Committee on
Labor, and Mr.. O'Neill, of Missouri,
chairman OF that committee, called up
the bill to confne the sale Of the pro-
duets OF convict labor to the State in
which they are produced. Mr.. Neill
endeayored TO have an arrangement
effected whereby debate on the bill
should be limited to two hours, but op-
position was made on the ground that
the principle involved in the bill was
tOo important to be established without
full discussion and consideration. Mr..
Rogers, Of Arkansas, addressed himself
10 the constitutional principles involved
in the measure and argued that Congress
had not the power TO lay an embargo
and pass Il law which provided for non
Intercourse between the States OF the
Union.
Mr.. Butterworth, OF Ohio, said that
this was not the first time when in the
name OF the laborer, labor was outraged
upon this floor. \ pebble that was
dropped into the ocean disturbed every
atom Of water in the ocean, and in the
same way a disturbance in the ranks OF
labor anywhere disturbed every portion
OF society, from the highest to the low
est, from the outer edges to the center.
The highest interest OF the House was to
promote the well being Of all, and the
man who intimated that any one on the
floor was unfriendly to labor was
Ounce, knaye or an unabridged ass.
The main hackers OF this bill were not
the laboring men. This was the first
time he had ever known monopoly TO
Join hands with labor in order to make
the criminals Of the country gentlemen
o. elegant leisure. Some gentlemen may
teel sympathy for the criminals, He
ielt little anxious about the men who
bore the burden OF caring for and sup
porting those criminals.
Mr.. O.Neil inquired what labor the
gentleman sought to support in his tariff
Mr. Butterworth replied that he was
trying to protect American labor against
foreign labor. He was not attempting to
az !25orers at home in order TO support
AoorerS on the other side in idleness.
Mr. o Neil inquired which the gentle
man preferred TO remain idle, the hon
est working man or the felon.
Nh. Butterworth remarked that the
Sslileman spoke with all the confidence
Of knowledge and all the assurance Of
ignorance. The trouble with the gentle
man vas that he assumed his facts.
At. O'Neill asserted that he assumed
Ae Knew that the working men were de-
naming this bill.
M. ButterwOrth declared that it was
40 evidence that any industry has been
stricken down by reason Of competition
AiiR convict labor. There was not q
sel ordered business establishment
IN could not compete with prison
Nj, Brumm, Of Pennsylvania, said tht
pntIeman was entirely mistaken.
Mr.. Butterworth denied that he wa
mistaken. The greatest punishment
sAat could be inflicted upon honest meI
Va 10 tax them to support the crtmi
Mr. Cannon, Of Illinois, was unwilling
taat the bill should be passed unles
a.efe was provision Incorporated in
P'ohioiting the importation OF toreigi
soods manufactured in whole or IN par
og convict labor.
Hs. Cultivate, Of Ohio, was oppose
- y Congress interfering with the domes
&C affairs Of the States when thos
S'a'es were engaged in trying to soly