The news & observer., 1897-02-10
THAT IMMIGRATION BILL
STRONGLY OPPOSED GUT CAR
9IES BY BIG N 4JO~irY.
The Provision as to Pea ing the
Language Thought by Some to
be Too Severe.

NC 90 severe.
Washington, Feb. 9.-The House to-
day agreed TO the final conference report
on the immigration bill by an overwhelm-
ing majority (217 to 33,) and passed two
more pension bills over the Presidents
veto. The notifications of the immigra-
ton bill contained in the conference re-
port by which an intending immigrant
was required to be able to read and
write, the English or another Ian
guage," and which permitted the litter
ate wife and minor children to accompany
an eligible immigrant, removed the main
opposition to the bill, but Mr.. Mahany.
rep, New York;, Mcguire, Dem,
CALI, and <eifer, (Rep., Mimi, opposed
the whole theory of the bill ON general
principles. Mr.. Bartholdt, Rep., Mo-,
and Mr.. Mccall, (Rep., Mass), both
spoke in favor of the bill as modified.
The beneficiaries of the pension bills
passed over the veto were both Of the
class known as Remarked widows" !"
Mr.. Cleveland has disapproved a number
of these bills, but he has also allowed
several to become laws without his sig
nature.
One Of the benches in the exec
utive galleries Of the House was set aside
for the use of the Vice-President ON the
occasion of the counting of the electoral
vote tomorrow.
Immediately after the reading of the
journal Mr.. DanfOrd (Rep., Ohio, call
ed up the conference report on the immi-
grafton bill.
MIR. Danford Immediately demanded
the previous question. A number of
members, including Mr. Mahany, (Rep.,
New York; protested against cutting off
debate, but the House sustained the de-
mand, 93-13. Under the rules 20 min
utes were allowed on each side for de-
bate and Mr.. Mahany took the floor in
opposition to the report He said that
the zeal which chara cter:zed the friends
of this indefensible measure was intem-
perate. The bill would effect sweeping
change in the immigration policy of the
United States 1t would close the doors
against men of clear minds, healthy
bodies and sturdy patriotism who desir
ed to cast their lot with the people of
the new world. If this bill had been
in existence 100 years ago a majority
of the members of the House would
not only not be here as representatives
of the people, but would not in all prob
ability to-day, be citizens of the United
States.
Mr.. Keifer, (Rep., Mimi, as showing
the fact that immigration should be en-
couraged rather than restricted, read
some resolutions adopted by various
bodies of his State calling for immi-
acres of land in Minnesota which never
had felt a plough.
Mr. Mcguire, Dem, CALI, protested
strenuously against the bill, the whole
theory of which he declared was false
1t departed, he said, from all previous
policies regarding immigrants solely be-
cause they were lalborers and likely to
invade the American labor field
Mr.. Mccall, (Rep., Mass.), concluded
the debate with a two minute speech in
favor of the report, in the course of
which in reply to Mr.. Mahany's state
ments, he pointed out that the Republican
party in placing this bill on the statute
books was redeeming pledge it had made
to the people.
The vote was then taken The ma
jority in favor of the adoption of the re-
port on the rising vote was Oyerwhelm-
ing, 1924, but Mr. Mahany and the
handful of opponents of the report sue
ceeded in securing the yeas and nays
with the result as above stated.
SENATE PROCEEDINGS.
Washington, Feb. 9.-The opening
session Of the Senate to-day was wholly
perfunctory, and after transacting some
routine business the doors were closed
and an executive session continued
throughout the day.
The credentials Of Senator Jones, of
Nebraska, presented to-day, have Il large
seal of silver. instead of the usual golden
seal of the State.
A privileged resolution was presented
by Mr.. Hoar and agreed to fixing 1880
p. m. as the time when the Senate would
proceed to the House of Representatives
chamber tomorrow to participate in the
counting of the electoral vote.
Mr.. ]. J. Summerlin and family, who
have been down with the grippe for some