The Middleburgh post. [volume] (Middleburgh, Snyder Co., Pa.) 1883-1916, 1898-01-20
THE LODGE BILLPASSED.
New immigration Measure Goes
Through the Senate.
MR.. w0LOOTT ON BIMETALLIsM.
The senator Explains the Failure TO
Secure an International Agreement.
He Says Secretary Gage Does Not
Represent the Presidents Views.

Secure an Internal ional Agreement.
He Says Secretary Gage Does Not
Represent the Presidents Views.
Washington, Jan. 1S.-Features OF
yesterdays proceedings in the senate
were the speech delivered by Senator
Wolcott, of Colorado, chairman of the
bimetallic commission. upon the nego-
tiations of the commission with Eu-
ropean countries relative to interna-
tional bimetallism. and the passage Of
the Lodge bill restricting immigration
into the United States. The proceedings
were the most interesting and import
ant that have characterized any single
days work OF the senate during the
present session, and the galleries were
crowded at an early hour.
Senator Hanna appeared at the open
ing of the session. Mr.. Foraker, the
senior senator from Ohio, presented Mr.
Hanna's credentials for the remainder
of Mr.. Shermans term. which will ex-
pire on March 4, 1899. and asked that
the oath of office be administered to
him. Mr. Foraker escorted his colleague
to the desk. where Vice President lio-
bart administered the oath.
At the conclusion of the morning
session Mr.. Wolcott began his ad-
dress. He was in fine voice and com
manded the earnest attention of his
auditors. His address consumed an
hour and fifteen minutes, and during
that time not a senator or representa-
tive-and many of the latter were pres
ent-left the chamber. Senator VOL
colt explained the failure of the
commission to secure an interna-
tional agreement by saying that its
efforts were undermined by the reports
received in England from this country.
He declared that he felt sure of Presi-
dent Mckiley's sincerity in the desire
for an International agreement and
that Secretary Cages statements were
at variance with those of the president
He vigorously scored the Gage currency
bill. and declared that 1T will reach
limbo before it reaches the senate"
Referring directly to Secretary Gage
he said:
THE selection of the members OF his
official household is the presidents own
affair, and so long as he stands upon
the question Of bimetallsm where he
has ever stood. there is no serious
ground for apprehension. But even in
the inconceivable event that the chief
magistrate Of this people should in the
exercise of his Judgment determine to
countenance the final fastenings upon
this country Of the burdens of the gold
standard, trust we may still find war
rant for faith and hope in the pledges
OF the party and the wisdom of its
counsels. We will cross our bridges
when we come to them. The time when
this country will submit to the final
imposition of gold monometalism Is far
away"
The immigration bill was then taken
up and discussed until 3 o'clock. An
amendment offered by Mr.. Spooner, of
Wisconsin, providing that the ability
on the part of the immigrant either to
read or write should be accepted as n
sufficient test of his literacy, was adop-
ted by vote of IL to 90. Another
amendment by Mr. Spooner providing
that the members of the family ac-
companying an immigrant rejected un-
der the conditions Of the bill should
he returned to the country whence they
came by the steamship companies was
also adopted. Other efforts were made
to amend the measure, but failed. The
bill was then passed by vote OF %
to 2S.
The bill as passed provides that al
immigrants physically capable and
over l6 years of age, shall be able to
read or write the English language or
some other language, but person not
able to read or write who is over 80
years of age, and is the parent or
grandparcnt. may accompany the i'm
migrant, or the parent or grandparent
may be sent for and come to Join the
family of the qualified immigrsnU; and
wife or minor child not able to write
may accompany or be sent for and
come to join the husband or parent who
is qualified. The act does not apply
to persons coming to the United States
from the Island of cuba during the
continuance of present disorders there
who have heretofore been inhabitants
of that island.