Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1902-05-22
IN THE HOUSE.
immigration Bill Taken Up-Three
Contested Seats Settled.

Washington, May N.-The House be
gan consideration of the immigration
bill. today. Tho principal speech was
made by Shattuc Of Ohio. chairman of
the committee on immigration. He was
especially severe in his condemnation
of the manner in which immigrants are
introduced through Canada and by
Canadian railway and steamship COM
paEies.
Underwood, Ala. gave notice of an
anne ndment to provide an educational
test and much Of the discussion during
the day was upon this subject.
The House. earlier in the day. settled
three contested elections in favor ofsit-
ting members and passed number of
bills of minor Importance.
The House received official notifica-
ton of the exercises attending the I'M
Rocnamhcau in Washington on Satur-
day next.
ON motion of Payne y. Y. the House
voted to adjourn over Friday 70 Mon
day III order to take part in the eXer-
ciSeS.
\ bill WAS passed providing that the
statutes Of limitation Of the several
states shall apply as a defence to ac-
tons brought in any courts for the re-
covcry of lands patented under the
treaty of May 10. 1854. between the
United States of America and Shawnee
tribe Of Indians
Hy unanimous vote the House seated
Charles l.. Thomas from the Sd North
Carolina district, whose seat was con-
tested by John +. Fowler.
The contest Of eX-Representative
John ]. Lentz against Tompkins, from
the 18th Ohio district also was taken
up. Olmsted, Pa, explained the con-
Trajectory character of the testimony
and the reckless charges of fraud in
dulged in. The resolution confirming
Tompkins right to the seat was agreed
to after brief statement by Robinson,
Ind, saying that the minority concur
red in the. report.
Similar action was taken confirming
Rhea, Va. to the right of the seat for
the 9th Virginia district, the contest
ant. Jdmes A. Walker. having died.
The immigration bill then was taken
up under special rule giving it the
right of way The measure is entitled
ito regulate the coming of alien imm-
grants into the United States
1t was reported by Chairman Shattuc
from the committee on immigration,
after extended hearings and considera-
ton. Shattuc opened the debate with
a speech deliberately presenting the va
rious immigration problems and eX-
planning the corrective purposes of this
bill He spoke Of the great number of
immigrants coming in by way Of Ca
NADIA and said: The immigration laws
of this country are tlagrantly violated.
The Canadian steamship agencies in
Europe do not hesitate to advertise
openly and guarantee to their passen
gers. che good. bad and Indifferent
ones, that they shall be safely deliv-
cred into the United States and no
questions asked If they will only take
passage via Canada.
Il have their bills so advertising"
When Shattuc concluded he was
questioned by number of members
To Watson's inquiry as to why an edui
cutional test was not provided, Shattuc
urged that this had better come in as
an Independent measure.
Bartholdt, Mo, asked how Anarchists
would be detected as Sucn.
"Just aS you seek to detect a bad wo-
manly asking questions answered
Shattuc.
Bartholdt thought this very vague
provision and one which would permit
the exclusion Of anyone by a letter to the
immigration office alleging that he was
an Anarchist.
Underwood CAiaD gave notice of an
amendment embOdying an educational
test for immigrants, and spoke of the
growing need of stringent restrictions
against immigration as q measure Of self
preservation for American citizenship and
republican institutions.
i<lencrg CTeX} opposed the educatiOna!
test as one likely to bar immigrants ac-
Customed to manual labor. which was one
| of the most desirable classes for the de
| veIopment of the country.
| Crossword Ohio) opposed the education
| al test. He said the crimes committed
| against the governments of the world
| for the past century by reason of remov-
| ing the rulers Of these governments were
| committed by educated men. The assas-
| sins Of Garfield and Mckinley were both
men who could we'll pass the educational
| test.
The House, at o'clock. adjourned.