Year: 1871

ploy clerk; ana tney shall report the re-
suit of the investigation to the President, to


be BY him transmitted to Congress.


Mr.. Hoar moved to make the bill the


special order for Wednesday, 10th January,
and from day to day until disposed Of
Mr. Garfield objected to the continuing OF
the special order, but was willing TO have
one day assigned TO it. N FFaHsi
Mr.. Hoar modified bis motion accord
ingly.
The Speaker said the proposition was


that the bhl should be made special order
to the exclusion of all other orders for We'd


nesday, Jan. 10.


Mr.. Wood object to that


Mr.. Kerr-So do /.


Mr.. Hoar--Very well, then, / move to


put the bill upon its passage now.


The bill having been read by the Clerk,
Mr.. Kerr moved to lay it ON the table.
The Speaker stated that the gentleman
from Massachusetts, (Mr. Hoarl had the
floor.
Mr.. Hoar then proceeded to explain and
advocate the bill. He was quite sure that
the measure when understood would re-


ceive the almost unanimous appreciation of
both Houses. It was well known that from


all parts of the country and the civilized


world there went up cry of discomfort
from the laboring classes. In this country


the laboring classes were the State itself
Congress ought not to be afraid of the light.
Let the sick be brought into sunlight and


they would get WELL he did rot place the
bill on the judgment or recommendation
of the comm .ttee alone. The slight ex-


penditure proposed was due to the Judge


ment of the laboring men themselves. The
labor party of his own State last summer


had recommended the passage Of this very


bill and had, although politically opposed to
the Republican, expressed its qualification


and respect for that party in consequence of
its giving attention 10 this matter.


The Grand International Association
of WOrkingmen,


an organization which perVaded Europe,


and which was making its voice heard and
its power felt everywhere, had also asked of
Congress this special measure. He was not
competent to express an opinion on the in


teresting story told of the Commune of


events which took place in Paris last sum-


mer. The other side of the story had not
been heard, but one thing was known, that


there was a cause in existence and


an object in view which had led


those working people in Paris, young


men and young women in the


morning of life, not merely from the igno-


rant or oppressed classes, but from classes


of culture, of family ties, in some cases of


wealth, to 90 down to their deaths calmly,
yea, cheerfully as ever bridegroom went to
his marriage feast, and be did not believe
that the cause which had inspired such he


roism was a cause which was not entitled
| to the respect of Americans everywhere.
| The International Association of European
| and American Workingmen had title to


respect for having established a relationship


and recognized the kindred among men of
all nations.


Mr.. Dawes expressed surprise that Kerr
| and Woods should have raised objections


to the bill, and that they had not had their
attention to the fact that no subject was
| looming up in the near future that de-


manded more careful legislation than the
reconciliation of labor and capital. He
| hoped his friend from Indiana (Kerr) would
| withdraw the motion to lay the bill on the
| table, and either consent to having single


day sci apart for its consideration, or else
| permit its passage at this time.


| Mr.. Kelly of (Penn.) thought Congress


should authorize the appointment Of the
! proposed Commissioners. This Govern


ment could not afford to permit the labor
ing people of any portion of the country to
| fall into the condition of the laboring pee


pie of England, France, Austria or Belgi-


um. Congress should look to it that they


whose skill and toll open the mines and


coal banks and convert the ores into metals
and into all forms of utility and beauty,
those who shear sheep and wash wool and
| spin and weave it, those who convert the
apparently arid field into cotton and all its


useful and beautiful fabrics, shall not live
in ignorance nor die in want. Their toll


and the resources Of capital were quite


enough to bvnish poverty from the land ex-
| cept ys results of intemperance.


The Morning hour having expired the
bill went over.


Mr.. Halsey, from the Committee on Pub


lie Buildings, reported bill appropriating


two million dollars to build public build
ings in Chicago. Referred to the Commit
tee on Appropriations.


The House then commenced to discuss
the apportionment bill, but after long


discussion in Committee Of the Whole, Of


no public interest or importance, the COM


mittee rose without taking action on It.
IMr. Randall, from the Committee on
Rules, reported a new rule that the Speaker
appoint one territorial delegate ON the Com


mittee on Territories, and the delegate from


the District of Columbia on the Committee


for the District of Columbia. Such dele


gates, however, shall not have the right OF


voting in the committees, The rule was
agreed to.


The House adjourned.