The times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1897-1901, 1900-05-22
PASSED BY THE HOUSE.
The EIght-Hour and Prison Labor
Bills Go Through.

Bills Go Through.
The bill limiting to eight hours day
work upon contracts for Government work
was passed by the House yesterday. 1t was
called up by Mr. Gardner, under a sus-
pension of the rules Mr. Gardner advo-
Gated the bill, saying the law on the sub
ject now on the statute books was prac-
tically nullified by defective phraseoiogy.
Mr. Bailey of Texas said there was no
man in the House more DESTROYS Of i'm
proving the condition of labor, but he was
unalterably opposed to the bill which made
it unlawful for an American citizen to con-
tract for his services for more than eight
hours a day if he so desired it. He had
been one of the twentyseven men who
had voted against the law which the pend
ing bill sought TO amend, and he had been
in the past few months called to account
for that vote by circular widely circu-
lated through the State of Texas. But he
reiterated his opposition to the pending
BILL with the emphatic declaration that he
would never agree that an American citi-
zen was incompetent to make a contract
for his service to work more than eight
hours a day if he so desired. He might
work his horse any number Of hours
day, but in regard to his own work he was
restrained by law. While he realized the
futility of resisting what was supposed to
be q popular demand for the legislation he
wanted to enter his protest against the
enactment OF law which destroyed the
liberty of personal contract. That were
paternalism run mad. He wondered how
well some of the members supporting the
measure could serve their constituents If
limited to eight hours per day. How could
the farmer or the cotton planter pay his
taxes and earn a livelihood if limited TO
eight hours OF labor day? 1t had never
in the history Of the world been crime
for a man 10 contract for his services as
he pleased until made SO by the folly of
an American Congress.
Mr.. Bailey asked why the bill specifical-
~ excepted the railroads from the opera
lions of the law, but his time expired be-
fore reply could be obtained.
The bill was advocated by Messrs. Gros-
venor. Bell. Jet, Newlands, and Gaines.
On division the vote was Isl yeas, II
nays, and Mr.. Bailey made the point of no
quorum. The Speaker counted 211 mem
bers present, and declared the bill passed.
Mr.. Gardner then called up the bill
giving the States Jurisdiction over goods
made by prison labor.
Mr.. Bailey wanted to know why the
committee had not included a provision
MAXIM, goods manufactured by trusts also
subject to the laws CT the States. The
State represented in part by the gentle
man who stood sponsor for the bill was,
L re than any other, the home of trusts.
and trust made goods were inflcting more
injury upon the people than goods made
by convicts. Why. he asked. had not an
antitrust provision been Incorporated in
the bill?
Mr. Gardner said the Committee on La
Dor had no Jurisdiction in the matter. ii
properly belonged TO the Judiciary Com
mittee
Mr. Williams of Mississippi said the i'm
preston that the committee was more anX-
ious to protect the trusts could be removed
by an amendment TO the bill making goods
manufactured by trusts subject to State
law.
Mr. Gardner. however. declined to accept
the amendment.
Mr.. Lentz thought there should be some
antitrust legislation at this session even
il the House remained in session until
August /.
Mr.. Cummings supported the bill. say
ing that the New York militia was clothed
In Uniforms made in prison in neigh
boring State and that they never put them
on without cursing.
The bill was passed.
The conference report on the Agricul-
tural Appropriation bill was adopted. as
was also the conference report on the For
Appropriation bill, and these bills |
now go to the President.
The conference report on the Arm; APP |
bill was presented. but obiec- !