Worcester morning daily spy. (Worcester, Mass.) 1888-1898, 1898-01-18
TIE LODGE BILL.
The Measure Restricting Immi-
grafton Passes the Senate.
Senator Wolcott Speaks Before the SEN
ate on the 6imetalIlc Commission
Mcclellan Criticises the Army.


relative to international bimetalism,
and the passage of the Lodge bill re-
stricting immigration into the United
States.
Among the spectators in the diplo-
matte gallery were the Austrian min
lister, the French consul general, the la
dies of the British embassy and Mrs.
Wolcott, wife Of the Colorado senator.
Quite unexpectedly, Senator Hanna
appeared at the opening of today's ses-
sion. Mr.. Foraker presented Mr.. Han
mas credentials for the remainder OF
Mr.. Shermans term, which will expire
March 4, 1899. Mr.. Foraker escorted his
colleague to the desk, where -Presi-
dent Hobart administered the oath OF
Office to Mr.. Hanna.
At the conclusion Of the morning bust
ness, Mr.. Wolcott began his address.
He was in fine voice and commanded
earnest attention. The address con-
summed an hour and is minutes, and
during that time not a senator left the
chamber
Senator Wolcott spoke Of the hearty
support given the commission by Presl-
dent Mckinley. He said that the COM
mission received most cordial treatment
abroad.
Any view that prevailed that the
commission had been snubbed or slight
ed, Mr. Wolcott affirmed, was due to
hostile utterances by the English press,
1t was perfectly realized from the be-
ginning, Mr.. Wolcott said, that BIZ
metalGism for England was out Of the
question India was the vital point OF
all the negotiations with England, and
all other proposals were insignificant in
comparison with that respecting the re-
opening Of the mints of India to the I'M
limited coinage OF silver, and the repeal
of the order permitting gold to be paid
for government dues and TO be eX-
changed for government rupees
Mr.. WoIcott argued to show that the
reopening of the India minis would be
to the advantage of that country, de-
claring the recent famine there was one
of money, rather than of food. For all
these evils we offered what we believe
to be a remedy" said the senator
Our offer was refused and the refusal
must be considered as final until the
failure of the experiment upon which
the Indian government has entered
shall be demonstrated.
Mr.. Wolcott summarized the present
system by saying that it is apparent
that, fer the time being, it is useless
to count on any cooperation from
Great Britain for bimetallic agreement
and while France actively desires to see
silver restored TO its old position as 6
standard Of value equally with gold, she
insists that the problem is one which
demands the cooperation Of the leading
commercial nations of the world.
I Questions of possible future negotia
tons between France and The
United States and other coun
tries MIR Wolcott continued
"and the question Of change Of
l1eId IN, han
ance. While we hope for continued
joint action, France owes no further
duty to us. She stood shoulder to Shout
der with us in our attempt to secure
from England even the concessions she
voluntarily offered a few months ago" ;.
Mr. Wolcott announced his intention
to retire from the commission. He said:
st is my sincere conviction than an
international bimetallic agreement is
still feasible, by the terms of which GER
tain countries will join Us and open
their mints to the unlimited coinage of
silver, and others will contribute to the
plan an enlarged use of that metal as
money, and 1 say this the more freely
because l shall give way upon the COM
mission to somebody more fitted for
such negotiations and better able to
give them his constant time
Mr.. Wolcott criticised Secretary
Cages bill, which, he said, was not in
accordance with President Mckinley s
ideas 'It will reach limbo he said
''long before 1t reaches the senate"
He proposes to capitalize the premium
on our bonds, sold recently, and to
make them, with others to be issued, a
security definitely payable in gold. He
forgets that only a few months ago
when the country was in dire distress
we were compelled to pay So, 1000 900 for
the privilege OF keeping the word gold
out of some of these very bonds. He
ought not to forget for the bank of
which he was president got, it was said
some of the bonds and received some of
the proceeds Of that deplorable transac-
ton But I do not intend to discuss
the bill which the presidents message
specifically does not endorse; and it is
premature to criticise the secretary
republicandsm, for his advent into the
party and the cabinet were practically
| contemporaneous We must accept the
situation.
In my opinion, the great majority of
the members Of the republican party
are bimetallists, and the fact that they
are misrepresented by cabinet officer
is not pleasing, but it is eTrdurable. The
selection of the members Of his official
household is the presidents own affair;
and, SO long as he stands upon the
question of bimetallism where he has
ever stood, there is no serious ground
for apprehension"
At the conclusion of the speech. Mr..
Wolcott was surrounded by his republi-
can colleagues, who offered congratula-
lions.
The immigration bill was taken IN
and discussed until o'clock An
amendment offered by Mr.. Spooner of
Wisconsin, providing that the ability
on the part of the immigrant either Ia
read or to write, should be accepted as
a sufficient test of his literary qualifica-
ton, was adopted by a vote Of AZ to
90
Another amendment by Mr.. spooner,
providing that the members of the
family accompanying an emigrant re-
Jected under the conditions Of the bill.
should be returned to the country
whence they came, by the steamship
companies, also was adopted. Other eff
forts were made to amend the meas
ure, but failed.
The bill was passed by vote of As to
90.
The bill as passed provides that all
incoming immigrants physically capa-
BILE and over 16 years of age, shall be
abletto read or write the English lam
guage or some other language; but that
a person not able to read or write who
is over so years old, and is parent or
grandparent of qualified immigrant
over q years old, and capable OF sup
porting such a parent or grandparent,
may accompany the immigrant, or the
parent or grandparent may be sent for
and come to join the family of the child
or grandchild over 81 years of age quail
flied under the law, and wife or minor
child not able to write may accompa ay
or be sent for, and come to join s~e
husband or parent who is qualified.
The act does not apply to persons