The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-02-01
BEvER1DaE ON CHILD LABOR.
The Senator from Indiana is in the
y Midst of an Extended Argument
81 Against Child Labor.

: Washington, January 2S.-Senator
Beveridge occupied the attention of
the senate throughout the day, with
a continuation Of his argument in be-.
half Of his child labor bill. He had
but reached the legal and constitu-
tionals phases Of the question after
speaking for more than four hours,
and arrangement. was made whereby
he will continue tomorrow.
In taking the position that as to
power, Congress could exercise any
restraint it saw fit on Interstate
commerce, Mr.. Beveridge met fusil-
lade Of questions by his colleagues,
and his progress in argument was
slow. While lie said the power to
regulate was absolute, he maintained
that the question Of policy would al
ways restrain and hurtful regulations.
Mr.: .Beveridge stated that three
fourths of the cotton factories Of the
South were opposing the bill, that the
railroads of the south were opposing
it and that tile coal mine operators of
the south were opposing it. He pres
ented All illustrative map, showing
the location Of the opposing indus
tries, and said that in anticipation Of
this weighty opposition he should de-
vote the mapor portion of his speech
setting forth evidence of the deplor-
able conditions he had pictured. This
evidence he said, was all sworn to
and in the form of affidavits. When
MIR. Beveridge made the statement
that the recently enacted child labor
law of Georgia was ga dead letter."
Mr.. Bacon took issue with him.
Mr.. Beveridge asserted there had
been filed 5000 applications for per-
mits for child labor under the law.
."How many of them have been
granted" asked Mr. Bacon.
"All of them.''
Mr.. Bacon then explained that the
law prohibited children under IL
years of age. from working after Jan
uary 1, 1907.
"Yes,' responded Mr.. Bevcridge,
"but there is not an Inspector in the
state, and no means Of enforcing
that provision. What good is meas
ure of that kindq"
The Situation of South Carolina.
Senator Tillman acknowledged the
very great evil Of child labor in his
state, and asked Mr.. Beveridge to
submit all the evidence possible that
it might be used in crusade for
state legislation. Adding to the diff
tfculty in his state, he said, was the
Northern millionaire who came down
there, invested his money in cotton
mills, and then influenced the legis-
lature against child labor laws.
"The Senator is to certain eX-
tent, right,' interrupted Senator Gal
inger. "Thcre is Northern money in
South Carolina and God help South
Narolina if there wasn't Northern
money there"
"Rather than have Northern mon
ey there exercising its lobbying i'll
fluence,' reported Mr.. Tillman, 81
would to God the senator and all
others would keep Northern money
out of my state"
Mr.. Tillman added that he fully
appreciated the conditions in his
state and would go as far as anyone
to correct them. lie believed the ques-
ton was one of state control rather
than Federal legislation.
Senator Beveridge's position is
that the power of congress to enact
legislation is ample, but when asked
by Mr.. Rayner of this power could be
exercised to absolutely prohibit COM
merce between the states, he replied
that the question was an impossible
one.
"If you would ask me if congress
could prevent entrance into Inter-
State commerce Of pail Of milk
MIXED from cow by young lady
18 years Of age, I would say yes"
"Could you put the young lady in
Jail for not being Is years Of ageq'
asked Mr.. Carmack.