The Washington herald., 1914-02-05
BURNETT Bill
PASSES HOUSE
''cowardice" and lie" Is
Charged IN Heated Debate
Over immigration.
NEAR-FICHT Is AvERTED
illiteraey Test Stands in Measure.
Most Drastic in Years. Which Bars
Sufrasettes from U. S.

Most Drastic in Years. Which Bars
Sufrasettes from U. S.
BY vote Of 30 to 14o, the House yes.
terday passed the Burnett immigra tor
bill. regarded as the most drastic legisla.
tion OF the kind proposed in many years
me measure now goes to the Senate, and
doubtless win be passed by that body.
whether 1t win be approved by President
Wilson lie q matter of lively speculation
among both the opponents and propon-
enfs of the legislation. Members who
We're opposed to the bill made strenuous
efforts to amend It, but without avail.
The hight against the immigration bill
was led by Representative Goldfogle. of
New York. assisted by practically all
members from that State When the
oin was called up for final passage, Mr..
Goldfogle made a motion to recomriit
the bill. with instructions to the Commit
tee on immigration TO eliminate from the
measure certain features, among them
tne iliiteracy test. The motion to recon-
init IT was defeated by vote of al to Ias.
Iliterary Test sands.
The provision Of the bill that excited
most opposition was that providing for
the exclusion from the United States of
years
OF age VINO are unable to read their own
language or dialect This provision will
be attacked in the Senate
another important provision Of the bill
is that proposing the exclusion of MILL
tant sunragettes or other persons iden-
tined with organizations that seek to
AFFECT governmental reforms by violence.
Strict regulations are imposed with a
view to ecxluding persons supposed to
have criminal tendencies.
Another important change made In the
existing law is that penaIizing steam
ship companies for bringing in insane
aliens. and imposing fines for such Of
fenses ranging from 500 to 500 in each
case. 1t is proposed also to exclude
stowaways and deserving alien seamen.
The debate on the immigration bill yes
terday was a lively one. Representative
Burnett. of Alabama. who was in charge
of the bill. had grown restive over the
delay cccasioned by the discussion of
the Asiatic exclusion amendments. and
he insisted upon action before adjourn
ment yesterday. This prompted a num-
Der Of Republicans. among them Repre-
sentative Manahan. of Minnesota. to
charge Mr.. Burnett with resorting to un-
fair tactics.
Charge of Cowardfce.
II have been commenting" said Mr..
Manahan, upon the unfairness with
which this bill has been driven through
and upon the unfair statements of the
chairman. Mr.. Burnett. in view OF the
fear and cowardice which he has shown
i'm not daring to answer objections and
upon his methods in moving to close
debate
The charge of cowardice brought Mr.. |
Burnett to his feet at once. Mr. Chair |
man." he shouted. that's lie and the |
gentleman knows it,
Mr.. Covington, of Maryland. made the |
point of order that Mr.. Manahan was |
''notoriously proceeding out OF order"
Mr.. Hay, occupying the chair. called Mr.. |
Manahan to order. |
II withdraw the word -cowardice,'
said Mr. Manahan.
THE gentleman from Minnesota" in |
terjected Mr.. Covington. ought now to |
apologize to the gentleman from Ala |
bama-'
Mr.. Manahan rose to say something |
but was cut short by Chairman Hays |
savel brought down heavily to quell the |
excitement and confusion into which the |
House had been wrought by the Manahan
accusation and Mr.. Burnetts retort |
Before Mr.. Manahan is allowed to pro-
ceed.' exclaimed Representative Hefiin,
Of Alabama, 'he ought to be made to |
apologize to this House and to the gen.
tlemsn from Alabama for the words he
has used"
To this Mr.. Manshan replied: 'I have
nerer yet apologized for speaking the
truth"
Chairman Henry, Of the House Rules
Committee asked that Mr. Manahan's
words be taken Gown" whereupon Mr..
Mann, Of Illinois, the Republican floor
l~.der, suggested that Mr. Burnett's re-
marks likewise be recorded and urged all
gentlemen to keep cool"
Great Confusion ReiEns.
Chairman Hay told the House that Mr.
Henry's demand that the superheated
colloquy be recorded would mean that
the matter would have to be reported to /
the House for action. There was great
confusion.
When quiet had been restored, Mr..
Henry withdrew his demand that the
colloquy be taken down" for consider
alton by the House.
Before the Burnett bill is taken I'D in
she Senate, members of the Immigration
Committee in that body will seek to as
certain President Wilson'S attitude to-
ward the measure. Doubt Is expressed
hat the President would approve the bill
N its present form.