The Portland daily press., 1888-05-23
Lth CONGRRSS-..PIRST SESSION.
SENATE.


WASHINGTON. May %.
The House bill appropriating $4,000 for
the public building at Bar Harbor, Maine,
was passed.
After transacting some routine business
the Senate at lao proceeded to the consider
alton of executive business.
The doors were reopened at o'clock when
the Senate proceeded to the consideration of
unfinished business, it being the House bill
to establish a department of labor. Senator
Reagan addressed the Senate in opposition
He said the bill was mere tub thrown to
laboring whale. When labor asked for
bread he would not consent to give it stone,
as the pending bill proposed. He moved as
substitute bill creating department of
industry. On the vote on the substitute,
there were nine yeas and q nays, less than
a quorum. Senator Reagan withdrew the
substitute.
Various amendments to the bill, ll,principally
corrections in phraseology were offered by
Senator Edmunds and agreed to. The bill
then passed and conference committee was
ordered. Senators Blair. Wilson and George
were appointed conferees.
After passing number of bills, including
one to increase the appropriation for militia,
arms and equipments to 100000, the Senate
adjourned.
In the House, today, the floor was accorded
to the committee on labor, and Mr.. O'Neill Of
Missouri, chairman, called up the bill to con-
fine the sale of the products of convict labor
to the State in which they are produced.
Majority and minority reports were read, and
an hour was thus consumed. Mr. O'Neill
explained that the measure originated in the
visit Of manufacturers Of New York, Brook
lyn, Jersey City, Philadelphia and other
cities, who appeared before the committee
and pictured that absolute ruin stared them
in the face from the competition of convict
labor One industry after another was at
tackled by the convict labor system, and in
each case the industry was obliged to lower
the rates of wages or 60 out OF business.
The bill was opposed by Mr.. Plumb of IL
linois, as unconstitutional and interfering
with Interstate commerce.
Mr.. Rogers, of Arkansas, argued that Cen
gress had not the power to lay an embargo
and pass a law which prohibited the ex-
change of products between States.
Messrs. Raynor and morrill, contended that
the bill was constitutional under the proyis-
ion giving Congress the right to regulate
commerce between the States.
Mr.. Butterworth, of Ohio, said that this
was the first time he had ever known mo
nopoly to join hands with labor to make the
CANT leisure. There was no evidence that
any industry had been stricken down by
competition with convict labor.
Messrs. Wilson Of Minnesota and Adams
of Illinois argued against the bill.
Mr. Butterworth of Ohio urged Mr.. O'Neill
to postpone the consideration of the bill to
another fixed date, to afford an opportunity
for mature consideration and the correction
of crudities. Mr.. Reed seconded the request
and Mr.. O'Neill asked consent to postpone
the bill until next Saturday. Objection was
made, and Mr.. Lodge of MASSACHUSETTS ad-
dressed the House in support OF the bill. He
said the bill was not unconstitutional, nor
did it seek to enforce lifelong idleness upon
convicts.
Mr. Caruth of Kentucky held that the
courts should be allowed to decide the point
of uncon nstituti0rality.
Mr.. Pound of Pennsylvania regarded the
measure as for the protection Of honest la
boring men.
Mr. Cannon of Illinois offered an amend
ment prohibiting the importation Of goods
manufactured by convict labor. Adopted.
The previous question was then ordered,
yeas 1856, nays A, on the engrossment and
third reading Of the bill. Then the House
adjourned.