The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-11

upon this act was very slight. The average i'm
migration per annum for the ten years from
1851 to 1850, inclusive was 259,SS4. The aver
age i'm migration for the ten years from 1861 TO
1870, inclusive. was 246,675 The average for
the years of the existence Of this law was only
266.633
''The history of the act of 1884, prohibiting
the importation OF foreign contract labor, TO
which also Mr. Bynum refers, is this: It passed
the House of Representatives unanimously, juno
-, 1884 When 1t came up 10 the Senate in the
second session Of the Forty-eghth Congress,
Feb. IL, 1885, the record shows a consider
able Democratic opposition. Mr.. Bayard moved
TO strike out the third section, whicA was the
penalty section. For that twelve Democrats
ana no Republican voted. Mr.. Coke Of Texas
moved that labor to DO employed In agriculture
and stock-raising should not be included in the
prohibitions aud penalties of the act For this
thirteen Democrats aud one Republican voted
Mr.. Morgan moved that the act should not apply
to the agent OF State seeking to induce iE mi
grafton to such State from any country in Eu-
rope, CT from Great Britain, Canada Mexico, or
any Central or South American State. For that
sixteen Democrats and no Republican voted.
Fur a provision that the act should not
apply 10 any person who, in good faith,
shou assist persons and families to come from
any OF those countries for the purpose OF per-
r-apeat settlement ip any State or Territory of
ReLu blcan voted. For substitute offered by
Mr.. Butler, OF South Carolina, materially weak
euine the bill. fourteen Democrats and no Re-
publican voted. On an. smendment by Mr..
Blair, of New Hampshire, to strengthen the bill
by directing that the district attorney of the
proper district should be charged with the pros
ecution of suits under this act at the expense Of
tine United States. fifteen Democrats and no Re-
publican voted negatively. On the final pass
age of the bill eight Democrats and one Repub-
lican voted negatively. the Republican because
be thought the bill would be Intellectual. The
record shows that the opposition to the House
bill was from the Democratic side Of the Senate.
Mr. Bynums intimstion that the bill was forced
through the Senate over Republican opposit' on
is the reverse OF true. This bill to prohibits
the importation of foreign contract labor, thus
sntagonized was approved by President Arthur
{ on the 26th of February. 1885.
"Obserye the action Of President Clev Gland
two years later on bill to prohibit contracting
for convict labor. That bill passsd both Houses
with unauimity. IL passed the House Of Rep
resentatives in the first session of the last Con
gress: the Senate In the second session. IL pro-
yided that in the erection or construction OF pub
lie buildings or other public works. or for all
supplies or every description for the use OF any
OF the departments, no convict or prison labor
whatever. or the product thereof, should be em
ployed or used on any public building or work
or In the preparation or manufacture of apy oil
the supplies therefor. It was also provided that
In all advertisements for such contracts this
condition should be inserted. The bill reached
President Cleveland after the 18th of February,
1887, or within few days of the time fixed by
by law for adjournment.
He had three courses open to him: to sign it.
If he approved it; to return 1t, with his objec
tions to the House OF Representatives in which
it originated, and take the chapse Of its passage
over the veto; or to kill it outright by pocket
ing IL. He chose the last His refusal to return
with objections deprived Congress of oil powel
to pass it Notwithstanding his objections and
gave the measure death-blow. The people OF
Illinois, three months before this action of Pres
ident Cleveland inserted by a majority of 267 5li
a like clause in the Constitution O, that State.
The people of New York. three years before this
action Of President Cleveland, inserted by ma
iority or l3S, ,9l6 like clause in che Constitu
tion of that State. President Cleveland, by bis
individual negative thus applied, absolutely de
feated this application Of the same principle tc
the public works of the United States. Very
respectfully, yours. EDWARD MCPHERSON
Hon. j. n. HUSTON, Indianapolis, Ind"