The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-10-11
FOREIGN CONTRACT LABOR
The Hon. Edward Mcpherson COrrects
Some of Mr.. Bynum's INACCURACIES"
When and How the Original Law was Passed
and Repealed, Together with the History
of the Act Passed by Congress in 1894.
Special 90 the lndiananolis Journal

Special 90 the Indiananolis Journsz.
WAsHINGToN. ID. c.. Oct 10-The follow
Ing letter Is made public to-day:
WASHINGTON Oct. 8.
"My Dear Sir-I am asked to make State
ment of the history of contract labor legislation,
respecting which your Representative. Hon.
Wm. d. Bynum made in the House of Repre-
ssntatives Aug. Is. 1883. an incorrect and in
complete statement.
sin 1864, July f. q bill became law, the
principal section OF which declared valid in law
all contracts made by immigrants to the United
States from foreign countries whereby immi-
grants shall pledge tho wages OF their labor for
the expenses OF their immigration, and provided
that such advances, If so stipulated in the con-
tract, and the contract be recorded, shall oper
ate as lien upon any land thereafter acquired
by the immigrant. 1t was also provided that
such immigrant should be compulsorily enrolled
for military service during the existing insur-
rection, unless he renounced voluntarily his
allegiance TO the country OF his birth and de-
clared mis- intentionrof becoming citizen Of the
United States.
''The passage Of such a law was recommended
IN Mr.. Lincolns message OF December. 1863
The reason given was that the Nation 10 be-
ginning 10 need life under the sharp discipline
OF war which depleted osr workshops and ms
terially lessened the supply of labor in every
department. of industry aud mechanism. 1t
was, therefore. recommended a war
ure, ana passed as such.
The original bill passed the Senate March 2,
1854, without dissent In this body at that date
were such Democrats as Charles Il. Buckslew,
OF PENNSYLVANIA, now Representative IN Con-
grsss; George Read Riddle and Willard Sauls-
bury, Of Delaware, now chancellor OF that State;
keverdy johnson, OF Maryland; Messrs Powell
and Garrett Davis, OF Kentucky; Thomas A
Hendricks, OF Indiana, late Vice e-president. and
Mr.. McDougall, of California. On TIE 23d OF
April, 1864. like bill was unanimously reported
select tee Of Ia
that body. The members of that committee
representing the Democratic minority were
John Law, OF Indiana. and James s. Rollins of
Missouri Some differences between the two
oiiis were reeonciled in committee Of confer
ence, and the bill as reported by the conference
committee passed both houses without opposi-
tisn- In the House were such Democrats as
Samuei D Cox, Fernando and Benjamin Wood,
and JAS Brooks, OF New York; Jas. E. English
Of Connectlcut Alfred P. Edgerton ana Will
am D Holman, or Indiana; John II. Eden and
William X. Morrison, of Illinois; Samuel j.
Randall, OF PENNSYLVANIA, and George II. Pen
dleton, or Ohio. Most Of these are vet in pub
lie life and IN good standing in the Democratic
party. Or the entire membership OF the Con-
gress the only person who expressed any oppos
sition to the measure was Mr.. Salisbury, of Del
aware, who said that he did not think the gov
ernment OF the United States had any. power
over this subject
ION the Atm day Of July, 1864, Abraham Lin
coin approved the act. This bill remained in oper-
alton three years and half, aud on the 30th
day OF March, 1868 was repealed by the fourth
section of the consular and Diplomatic act Of
that year. (See United States Statues. vol. 10,
p. 55 These are the simple facts.
The Honorable Wm. ID. Bynum, Of your
city, in his recent speech in the House. declared
that the Republicans alone were responsible for
this measure. The record shows this not to be
the fact. It was recommended by q Republican
President and enacted by a Republican Con-
gress, eus with the concurrence OF the entire
Democrats minority, except Mr.. Salisbury of
Delaware. whose question was as 70 the power
to pass, and not 70 the expedisncy OF the act.
Mr. ByBum further states that the repeating
law did not pass until 1885. I suggest that he
study the statutes of the United StateA He
will ind that it was repealed seventeen years
before, and by the unanimous vote OF the two
Houses composing the Forsieth Congress, which
was Republican in both branches
Tho increase Of immigration consequent