Omaha daily bee., 1896-12-22
HOUSE REFLECTS THE LODGE BILL.
Conference to Consider Immirrntion
Library Substitute Defeated.


Library Substitute Defeated.
WASHINGTON, Dec. 2l.-1he house today
practically completed the consideration of
the legislative, executive and judiciary ap-
ropriation bill, but final action will not be
taken until tomorrow. Almost the whole day
was devoted to a debate on the PROVISION OF
tho hil relating to tue control OF the new
congressional library. Both the Llpropria-
tiOns and library committees offered plans
for the future care OF the building. After a
somewhat acrimonious contest, the apprO-
prations committee gained the victory, de
fcattng the substitute for he library com
mittee by n vote of - 20 So. An amend
mcnt designed to place the employees Of the
library under the civil service law was also
defeated, q to 49,. Uller the provision OF
the bill, as adopted, Librarian Spoflord will
continue in Office with an Increase in salary
by from $1,000 to 50 600 The senate amend
mcnts to the immigration bill we're uOnCCn-
CURED in and a conference agreed to.
AIr. Bartholdt, chairman OF the immigra-
tOn committee, sought to have the bill and
amendment recommittcd to his committee,
and in the course OF his remarks, referred
to the fact that the. foreign-0orn
population of the United States
had turnedi the scales in several
states for sound money and protection
In speaking to his motion he said the bill
- it passed the house was a compromise
and was satisfactory to the extremists on
hat all people should be given the right of
asylum here had accepted the bill to prevent
the passage of a -harsher measure. He spoke
of the victory for sound money" won at
| the last election and attributed it largely 20
the legally, sound sense and patriotism" of
the adopted citizens, who, he said,
had turned the scale in half
| dozen states toward Mckinley and
protection. The position of the foreign pop
ulation at the late election, he said, had
hnn lot raft tati Of hn oh
so recklessly made before as to the dangers
involved in unrestricted immigration.
While those who believed with him were
ready to accept the bill at the last session
many of the German-AmeriCans and other
naturalized citizens now believed that in
view of the fact that they had at the cleo
ton saved the party and the country
they should be granted immunity from any
restrictive measures. Yet, he said, the sen
ate purpOsed to Increase the harshness of
the bill. He then took up the senate amend
ments. seriatim. and entered his objections
He ridiculed the educational test provided
for in the senate amendment. 1t was abb
surd he said, to ask a German or Irish serv-
ant girl to read and write five lines Of the
constitution. The constitution was difficult
of comprehension. The application Of the
test should be left to the executive officers
in his opinion.
Mir. Danford republican of Ohio, contested
Mr.. Bartholdts motion with one to non
concur in the senate amendments and agree
TO conference. Mr.. w. A. stone repub-
lican of Pennsylvania, gave 1t as his opinion
that owing to the shOrtncss of the session
to send the bill back to the committee would
sound its deathknell He earnestly urged
the adoption Of Mr. Danford's motion.
Mr.. Call. republican Of Massachusetts, and
Mr.. Wilson, democrat of South Carolina, sup
ported the Danrord motion as the only
method of securing legislation at this ses-
sion.
Messrs. Bowers republican Of California;
Willis republican Of Delaware, and Foote
republican Of New York, argued in favor
of Mr.. DansOrd's motion.
Mr.. Barthodrs motion was defeated with
out division and AIr. Danford's motion to
nonrorcur and send the bill to conference
was adopted
The speaker appointed Messrs. BGrtholdt
of Missouri, Danford of Ohio, and Wilson Of
South Carolina, confeTees on tho part Of the
house The house then went into commit
tee Of the whole and spent the remainder
of the day in the consideration of the legis
latve appropriation bill. The house ad-
iouTned at 5:OT D. m.