Evening star., 1897-02-17
IN CONGRESS- TODAY
Conference Report on the Immigra-
tion Bill in the Senate.
SPEECHES FOR AND AGAINST |
A Sharp Clash Between Messrs.
Palmer and Hoar.
MATTERS IN THE HOUSE

Mr.. sherman presented a joint resolu-
tion III the Senate today, and secured its
immediate consideration and adoption, au-
thorizing the Secretary of War to detail
an officer of the army to accept the posi-
ton of military instructor under the gov
ernment Of the Greater Republic of Cen
trail America
Ex-senator Farwell of Illinois came on
the floor during the proceedings. and was
greeted by his old associates
Mr.. Proctor (Vt.) presented the creden-
t1als OF his venerable associate. Mr.. Nor
rill, for another term beginning March 4
next.
A resolution by Mr. Pettigrew Is. d. was
agreed to requesting the Secretary of State
for copy of any reply that may have been
received to the letter of Secretary Gresham
TO Sir Julian Pauncefote. British ambassa-
dor, in January. 1895, calling attention of
the British government to the utter failure
to protect the fur seals under the award of
the Paris court of arbitration.
Also a resolution by the same senator
asking the Secretary of the Interior
whether he had granted privileges to GER
tain persons to operate a steam passenger
appliance in the Yellowstone canyon, and
if so, to suspend such grant.
Dismissals mt Omaha.
Mr.. Allen (Neb.) then spoke on mis- reso-
luton relating to dismissals from office at
South Omaha, Neb. He said the alleged
causes of dismissal were utterly puerile.
The senator said that in the case of two
ladies' who were discharged their offense
was that Of having Mr.. Bryan's picture in
their window. There were six other ladies,
Mr.. Allen said, who had Mckinley pictures
In their windows. but they were not dis
no 1oIi rryhn low yo1 ft1.a
Bryan pictures did it in honor of a citizen
OF their owE state. and yet Mr.. Allen said,
this administration had brought about the
discharges. The senator cited other cases
or men who had been dismissed, he alleged,
because they had spoken for Bryan. Mr..
Allen declared that from this it appeared
that the civil service law was fraud ami
delusion. and that the civil service COM
mission W as using it for most unworthy
purpose.
MI Aliens resolution calling on the civil
service commission for full information as
10 the south Omaha discharges was then
agreed to.
The immigration Bill.
Mr. Lodge (Mass.l then brought forward
the conference report on the immigration
bill. the purpo& Sslng, according to pre-
v'ous agreement. to- take final vote on
the measure at psin.
Mr.. Lodge explained that the bill as now
presenter modlNea5sthe provision Of the
language in wftteh In emigrant is to read
or write to English Or some other language
1t also overcaaae the objection that hus-
band and wifes might be separated The
Soriss berdsr IA, amend3sn M, relative to Canadian
Mr.. Palmer 1bposed the report. He said
he knew of no sentiment for which he
had greater detestation than "nativsm'
He held that the right of migration and
expatiation was essential to the liberty
or individuals. This bill was an exten-
sion of the same sentiment Of nativsm
Mr.. Palmer pointed out defects in va
he said. opsrae aainst ,sfatS worthy "ona eIass
and not against the dangerous men the
"brawling anarchists who were able to
read and write. He said the restriction
out parallel in the legislation of the
world. 1t was remarkable movement to
originate in the land of the free and the
home Of the brave" With the adoption of
this mise able narrow policy our neigh
bors north and south would be invited to
adopt similar course. 1t was an outrage,
he declared. on the comfy of nations and
the civilization of the age.
Messrs. Palmer and Hoar Clash.
There was a clash between Mr. Palmer
and Mr.. Hoar when the former stated that
Massa chusetts was the only northern state
which refused suffrage to men who could
not read and write. Mr. Hoar defended
this provision of the Massachusetts, con-
stitution and referred to criticism as "pure
demagoguery." Mr.. Palmer responded that
the Massachusetts senator seemed tc fail
TO realize the dignity and Importance of
American citizenship. and he was reminded
that during the war Massachusetts sent
emissaries to the south and filled her
quota OF troops with colored men who
could not read or write.
Mr.. Carter tMont.) also opposed Tho re
port. He hoped the bill would be recon-
mitted In order that he might move an
amendment providing that the restrictions
shall not apply to a resident citizen of any
country on this hemisphere.
lie SAID the border restrictions were
worse than any civilized country today
I'M inc United states had assumed to speak
Tor the people of this hemisphere. and TO
proclaim policies for the Americas. North
and South. And yet this pessmistic and
drastic restriction against those to the
horth and south or us was proposed. 1t
would. Mr.. Carter declared, lead to retalia-
tion by every government on this hem
isphere. thus arraying the United States
against its neighbors.
|. Against Restriction.
Mr.. Caffery Ua) spoke against the gen.
eral principle of restricting immigration
In this connection he read a letter from the
foVeiist "Ouida' as to Italian Immigrants
TIE senator said the Italians coming from
the agricultural sections were industrious
citizens, while the Scilians were less desir
able. ...c
Mr.. Chandler interjected the statement
that Louisiana had furnished Italian riots.
a number of Italians had been killed. and
the United States had been compelled to
Indemnity.
Mr. Caffery responded that these riotous
outbreaks gave no basis for Judging a peo-
pie as whole or Of the sentiment in which
they were held.
THE HOUSE.
The House todayimgreed to the confer
ence report on abe BILL to fix the times and
places for hoidiHg, eaart in Utah. -
Mr. Blue Rap) opposed conference
report. by which the House was to recede
frcm It's amendment to bill Increasing.