The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-04-12
OUGHT TO GO HOME
Mr.. Dingley's Advice to Repub-
ican Congressman.


washington City. April il-Repubiscan
members OF the house gathered at the cap
iso1 tonight in the second caucus Of this
congress TO determine the party policy on
ths immigration question. but because OF
the failure 10 secure a quorum no definite
acsion was taken The meeting was chief
" interesting from a speech made by MIR
Dingiey. OF Maine, the leader Of the party
on the toor OF the house. Speaker Reed
was not present, but Mr.. Dingley spoke,
outiimns the views upon general iegisla-
ton held by the leaders Of the house.
So far as legislation relating TO imnigra-
ton was concerned. Mr.. Dingiey's speech
did not inspire its friends with much
hope. The general tenor Of hts address
was that the Republicans should use ey-
cry endea2or to bring about an early adj
toarnment OF congress. IL possible. within
a month. as soon as the appropriation bills
could be passed by both houses. There was
considerable general legislation before
congress. Mr.. Dingley explained. but most
OF II would have TO be left undone, and
perhaps the immigration question would
be among those which could not be taken
up. While he expressed his personal in
terest in the immigration bills, he depre-
Gated caucus rule of the house, ard rec
commended that the order OF business be
left to thu judgment OF the committee on
rules The programme of the committee.
as Mr. Dingley outlined 1t, Is to take the
Notifications bill up next week. and fol-
low that with the pensions and bankrupt
bills.
For the failure Of general legislation Mr..
Dlngley blamed the senate.
when Mr.. Grosvenor called the caucus
to order there were 81 members present.
about Is less than a quorum Nearly an
hour was consumed In discussion of the
advisability OF any action by SO small a
her rxyfs fha nfrf1 a.3rzvv
that no action which would bind the house
could be taken BY the meeting. There was
also debate, led by Mr.. Payne, OF New
York, upon the point whether party poll
cy did not dictate that the immig alton
question be passed by. /. was argued by
Mr.. Payne that the party platform did not
justify SO radical a step as the bills before
congress proposed, the platform commit
ting the PARTY to the exclusion of GRIM
inals and contract laborers only. Other
members discouraged action on the ground
that the senate could not be depended upon
TO indorse any policy inaugura@d by the
house
Two bills were finally made the basis Of
discussion-the Mccall BILL imposing an
educational test, and the Stone bill, for
consular examination of immigrants
both OF which have been reported from the
immigration committee Chairman Bar
thoid. OF that committee. spoke in support
or the main features OF the Mccall bill,
but strongly opposed the Stone bill, pre-
senung many protests from German
American organizations and many news
paper articles against it. The two bills
were explained By their sponsors, Mr.. Nc
Call. Of Massachusetts,, and w. A. Stone,
OF pennsylvania Mr.. Stone sug-
gested amendments to his bill which
would meet the objections urged by Mr..
Barthold. that under its operation many
young Germans Of military age, the most
desirable class Of immigrants. would be
excluded. A dozen speeches were made
for tho Mccall bill. The consensus OF
opinion seemed to be for this bill. with
amendments to prevent the separation OF
families imposing the educational tests
on the heads of families alone.