Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1897-01-11
FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS.
WASHINGTON, Js nuary II
SENATE.

During the routine morr ing business
MIR. Perkins presented the joint resolu-
ton of the California Legislature declar-
ing unalterable opposition to any ex-
tention of the debt of the Pacific rail-
road companies, tavoring Immediate
collection of the debt, and asking for q
hearing before the Pacific Railroad COM
mlttee. The resol ution was read in
full and was, on m otion of Mr.. White,
ordered to be priD.ted in the Record and
referred to the Pacific Railroad COM
mittee.
Senate joint resolution authorizing
the secretary fthe treasury to solicit
proposals and to contract for the erec-
ton OF government building at the
Tennessee centennial exposition, with
out public advertisement. was intro
duced by Mr.. Bate and passed.
House joint resolution authorizing
steam railroads to occupy temporarily
parts of streets anu avenues in Wash
ington city, in order to accommodate in
creased traffic during the Inauguration
period, was reported and passed.
MIR. Allen offered a resolution as to
the violation of the eight hour law by
contractors under the navy department
specifying particularly the work on
the navy hospital at Brooklyn, carried
on by Isaac Walker and Sons, of Phila.
delphia; and also work carried on by
! P. ]. Carlin, contractor of Brooklyn.
Mr.. Chandler asked Mr.. Allen
whether he understood that that con-
stituted any violation of the law.
Mr.. Allen said he understood that it
was.
Mr.. Chandler.-I may be dull and
not well-posted; but 1 do not know of
any such law. A contractor on govern
ment works can employ men more than
eight hours day. The law prohibits
their being employed in the navy
yards and other government establish
ments. That law 1 had the honor TO
enforce when was at the head of the
navy department.
81 have no doubt" Mr.. Allen put in,
that the Senator made most excel
lent secretary of the navy"
| 81 have no doubt of that myself, !"
Mr.. Chandler humorously assented,
"but 1 do doubt whether any law ex-
lists that prohibits contractors for gov
ernment work to employ men for more
} than eight hours day."
"Fhe Senator from New Hamp
SHIRE" Mr.. Allen said, fought not TO
throw spear at gnat."
The Senator from Nebraska" Mr.
Chandler suggested, fought not TO de-
scribe himself as gnat. | disclaim all
idea of belittling the Senator's proper
tions." Laughter.
Mr.. Alien-I agree that the Senator
Was good Secretary of the Navy, and
that, physically, am fair-sized states.
man. Laughter. And if the Senator
should be Secretary Of the Navy again,
as he probably will be, under the in.
coming administration, l am very con-
fident that he would enforce law of
this kind. | appeal TO the Senator
from New Hampshire, as the friend OF
down-trodden labor, to say that it is
eminently proper for the Secretary OF
the Navy to inform us on this subject,
and then we should enact such further
legislation as may be essential to pro-
tect this class of people. That is what
the resolution looks to.
Mr.. Chandler-The resolution is OBJ.
jectionable in that it assumes that there
is law prohibiting contractors with
the government from employing men
more than eight hours day. There
is no such law, aud the Secretary Of
the Navy has no right whatever to in
terfere with the hours of labor of gov
eminent contractors. He has control
over iaborers employed directly by the
government and over no others.
The resolution being objected to
went over until tomorrow.
On motion of MIR. Hoar the House
bill to establish uniform law on the
subject of bankruptcies throughout the
United States was made the special or
der for Monday, January %.
Mr.. Proctor took the floor and adj
dressed the Senate on his resolution on
the ineligibility of the President for re-
election.
At the conclusion of his remarks, Mr..
Proctor moved that the resolution be
referred to the committee on privileges
and elections; but as Mr.. Stewart de-
sired to speak on the subject the reso-
luton was permitted to lie on the table.
Mr.. Mills addressed the Senate in
support of the joint resolution intro
duced by him last Thursday, which is
10 these words:
That the expediency of recognizing
he independence of foreign govern.
ment belongs 10 Congress, and when
Congress shall so determine the eXecu-
tive should act in harmony with the
legislative department of the govern
ment.
That the independence of the repub-
lie of Cuba ought to be, and hereby is,
recognized, and the sum of ten thou
sand dollars is hereby appropriated for
salary and expenses of minister to
that government whenever such minis
ter shall be appointed by the President.
Mr.. Mills began his speech on the
Cuban matter at 1:30 p. m. with thirteen
democratic senators and six republi-
cans in their seats. He spoke without
notes, in the high keyed voice natural
to him and which it is so difficult 10
maintain in long continued address.
The public galleries were about halt
filled.
At the outset Mr.. Mills sssailed the
position assumed by President Cleve-
land in his annual message on the Cuban
question, and when interrupted by MIR.
Gray, who asked whence the Senator
derived one particularly pungent ex.
| tract he was reading Mr.. Mills answer