Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-08-19
HOUSE.

On motion Of Mr.. O'Neill pa Senate Joint
resolution was passed extending the privileges
OF the library of Congress to the interstate
commerce commissioners. 1t was amended by
extending like privilege to the chief of en-
gineers Of the army.
THE NAT M'KAY BILL FINALLY PASSED.
Mr.. Thomas (WIs.) moved to lay upon the
table the motion I'm ade some days ago by Mr.
Hayes Of Iowa) TO reconsider the motion by
which the House passed the Nat Mckay bill
II was agreed to-yeas, %; nays, 49, This
finally passes the bill.
THE ALIEN LAND Law BILL
The Speaker stated that the unfinished busi-
ness in the morning hour (the first morning
hour the House has had for several months)
WAS bill to amend the alien land law.
Mr.. Carter (Mont) explained that the bill
law in 30 far as that law referred to the
ownership Of mines in the territories.
The alien land bill had passed the House the
31st of July, 1855.
Mr. Springer Qll. )-whst date?
Mr.. Carter-3lst July, 1886.
MIR. Springer-Is that the last time we had q
morning hour2 [Laughter.l
Mr Carter-1he gentleman was in the House
at that time and ought to know: tLaughter.l
Mr.. Carter Continuing said that the alien
bill had been passed by the House after a very
slight consideration. He insisted that the
ownership of mines of gold. silver, lead, tin.
clnnabar and copper in the territories
was not intended to be affected by the bill
he had no quarrel to make with the
existing lawn so far il related to agriculture
and lumber lands He did insist that foreign
capital should not be discouraged or prohibited
from engaging in the precarious enterprise of
developing the mines OF this country.
Mr.. Buchanan (N.J.) inquired whether the
passage Of the pending measure would not
render it possible for
FOREIGN CAPITAL TO CONTROL EVERY MINE IN
THE UNITED STATES.
Mr.. Carter replied that for a century prior TO
the enactment Of the law the privilege stood
wide open to foreigners to invest in our mines
The history of that century showed that the
financial results were not commensurate with
the investment made by foreigners in that class
of property.
Mr.. Allen CMich.) sotto voce-In other words
they were scooped.
Mr.. Buchanan asked whether the state of af-
fairs he alluded to could not exist
Mr.. Carter replied that such q state of affairs
might have existed prior to the law of 1886.
Mr.. Buchanan inquired whether it would not
be possible for Englshmen to buy np every
lead mine in the United States?
Mr.. Carter-if they are willing to pay more
than the mines are worth.
Mr.. Buchanan-But the bill makes it possi-
Bile, does it not?
Mr.. Carter-It is a commercial impossibility.
MIR. Anderson (Kan. Would it not be
LEGAL POSSIBILITY?
Mr.. Carter-It would be rendered possible
for men from anywhere having capital to on
gage in the precarious work of developing the
mines with that capital.
Mr.. Carter, continuing. contended that no
g.
tween agricultural and mining lands While
the ownership of agricultural lands should be
regulated, cheap capital should be in
vited from everywhere to be invested
in the hazardous business of developing
mines and giving business which otherwise
would be crowded into other lines of labor and
thus cheaper the wages of toll. 1t was not the
millionaire who discovered the mine; it was
the toiling workman. II the benefit of this
discovery was limited to the market of the
United States the men who had money to in
vest in mines were given a monopoly.
Ii the doors were thrown wide open the men
whose toll had discovered the treasure were
given the privilege of enjoying the benefit of it,
OPPOSED THE BILL.
Mr.. Chapman (Mich.) opposed the measure.
1t proposed to abolish all the restrictions and
safeguards which, in consonance with the spirit
OF the age, had been thrown around the public
lands of the territories. If the original act was
right, this measure was wrong. If, at the time
the act WAS passed, there WAS a need for such
legislation, the history Of the country since
demonstrated that such legislation was much
more necessary now. There was not a meeting
of Farmers Alliance or Of labor organiza-
tion from one end of the country to the other
from which the demand had not gone
forth, not for the repeal of this legis-
lation, but for stronger legislation
on the same subject The demand
was American land for American men; homes
for our own people," He was in sympathy with
this demand. The passage of this bill might
result in gigantic corporations controlled by
foreigners who had no interest in our country
Pending further debate the morning hour eI-
pired and the bill went over.
AGRICULTURAL Bills.
Mr.. Cannon QH.), from the committee on
rules, reported o resolution setting apart to-
day. Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday and
Tuesday and Wednesday of next week for the
consideration of bills reported from the
committee on agriculture. The first
bill to aid agricultural colleges, the previous
question upon which shall be considered as
ordered after two hours debate. Next shall be
taken up the bill providing for the inspection
Of meats for expectation and voted upon after
two hours debate. Then the bill defining
lard shall be taken and the previous
question ordered at 4 o'clock Saturday On
Tuesday Of next week the bill defining options
shall be taken up and the previous question to
be considered as ordered 1t o'clock Wednes-
day. On the days specified the House shall
meet at II O'Clock The order further provides
for morning hour each day and gives place to