Speech #480061351

But I ran over these bills. one bill introduced by the Senator from Mississippi. which may have previously escaped my attention. because it was entitled "to protect American laborers." and I supposed that was a tariff bill. as all tariff bills generally bear that title. " to protect American laborers." and of course I did not suppose it necessary to run through the mazes of the bill to see all that it contained. But I find on examining it still further that it is not exactly that. but there is a very remarkable provision in it before it gets through. It is "a bill to protect American laborers." and I presume is the bill the Senators refer to when they say they have a bill here to stop foreign immigration under labor contracts. That is the point I was making. because I intimated to gentlemen that they could find today. almost under the shadow of this Capitol. foreign laborers under contract from European countries brought here to drive out American labor. But here is section 7 of the bill "to protect American laborers:" That if any person or corporation shall complain to the President of the United States that he or it is engaged in or is about to start a business requiring skilled labor of a particular kind. and that a sufficient quantity of such skilled labor can not be obtained in the United States. the President may. on being satisfied of the truth thereof. issue a license to such person or corporation to bring in. unaffected by this act. such skilled labor. specifying in such licensethe kind of skilled labor and the number of artisans permitted to be brought into the United States.