The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-06
THE FIPTIETH CONGRESS.
Petitions and Memorials In the Senate-De-
bate the Eigh.-Hour Question.


Petitions and Memorials in the Senate-De-
bate the Eight-Haur Question.
WASHINGTON, March Sin the Senate, to-
day. Mr.. Reagan reported adversely, from the
postofice and post-roads committee. the Ed
munds and Culiom postal telegraph bills and
reported favoraby an original bill to regulate
interstate commerce carried by telePrap b,
and to subject telegraph companies to the super
vision OF the Interstate-commerce Commission
Mr.. Cullom insisted that this bill should be re-
ferred to the interstate committee. sharp
conflict between the two committees followed,
and the matter finally went over without action.
Among the petitions and memorials presented
and referred were the following
For the abolition of all licenses and taxes
commercial travellers; from the Woman's Chris
tan Temperance Union. for the repeal of in
ternal revenue taxes on alcoholic liquors, and
for prohibitory amendment 10 the Constitution;
from citizens of Kansas against the Springer
Oklahoma bill. and from citizens of Nebraska in
favor of it; from the Society OF Friends, in Kan
sas for q permanent arbitration treaty with
Great Britain; thirty two petitions ipresented
by Mr. Sherman) for passing of the per diem
service pension bill, and numerous other petit
tions from other States to the effect
The House concurrent resolution directing the
Secretary of the Navy TO designate national
vessel to convey the remains of ex-Presidrnt
Paez, of Venezuela, to La Guayra WAS passed.
A bill Was reported TO incorporate the Atlantic
Pacific Ship-cana. Company. Placed on the
calendar.
Mr.. Hawley called attention to executive doc
ument No. II. bsing letter from the Secretary
of War. transmitting an abstract statement of
the militia force of the United States Mr.
Hawley said he had received communication
from the War Department. saying that the errors
contained ID the printed document rendered IL
almost valuecss for reference, and that the errors
were not contained in the copy sent from the
department.. He IMr. Hawley] asked that the
document be reprinted. So ordered.
M7s and soffa rad r0sn
agree to, instructing the select com mittee on
Indian traders TO inquire into the method OF
aloting lands IN seyeraity to Indians on indian
reservations in the northern portions of Wis
consin and Minnesota, and as to the sale of
timber on those lands.
The unfinished business, the pension bill. was
laid aside, and the urgent deficiency -appropria-
ton bill was taken mp for consideration. Among
the more important amendments recommended
by the committee on appropriations and adopted
by the Senate were the following Reducing the
iem tor erection of officers quarters at Mare
Island, CAL, from S., 900 to 81 500; inserting
item of $77.495 TO complete the reports of the
expenses of land offices from S35. 900 to $25 00O
striking out the Item OF SIS. 600 for light and fog
signal at Lake Borgne Miss; inserting an item
of S., 500 for fitting mp barracks, etc. at the
National Home for Disabled Soldiers at Leav@n-
worth, Kan: striking out the item of $50, 600 for
miscellaneous expenses of United States courts,
being deficiency for the year 1887 inserting
an item of sos, 900 for printing and binding for
the Postoffce Department.
The amendment TO strike out the following
paragraph, And the Public Printer is hereby
directed to rigidly enforce the provisions of the
eight hour law in the Departments under his
charge" having been reached. Mr.. Hoar inquired
OF Mr. Hale why the committee. had recon-
mended the striking out of those lines.
MIR. Hale replied that, in the first place, the
committee had knowledge that the eight
hour la. was not enforced in r the depart
ment sof Public Printing There were
persons employed there, working by the
piece, who desired to work more than eight
hours; who preferred to work twelve hours;
and the adoption of the item might be con-
strued 10 make these men stop work at the end
of eight hours. The result of that might be to
compel good workingmen to stop work after
eight hours and tc allow new. untried green
hands TO be brought into the Office In fact. it
had been said that the object of the provision
was to introduce $50 new, untried men in the
Public Printing Office.
Mr. Hawley said if the provision had any
meaning whatever it was an attempt to forbid
man TO work more than eight hours; and. there
fore, IN behalf of the workin gmen, he protested
against it. It seemed him a piece of dema-
gOgv, and nothing else.
Mr.. Hoar objected to the suggestion of dema-
gogism.
Dir. Hasley-I did not know that the Senator
from Massachusetts had anything TO do with it.
II struck me that it was an effort of denagog-
ism. and repeat that remark
Mr. Hoar-This proposition of political econo-
my-~whether wise or foolish, whetber it Is dema-
eogism, whether opposition to it is shallow
pated assurance-is one which had the support
of such profound thinkers as John Stuart Mill,
and of such practical reasoners as Thomas B.
Macaulay.
Mr.. Hale moved to add to the provision that
it should not be construed so as to interfere
with piece work or extra work in the Govern
rnent Printing Office. He wished the discussion
to close, and said that Senators would have
three or four months 10 look up she great CUES
ton. .ILaughter] He finally Withdrew his
amendment. and also withdrew his oprosi-
ton TO the original House provision. Without
taking vote. the Senate proceeded to executive
business. and soon adjourned.