Speech #480078685

Mr. Speaker. for two reasons. The first is that you shall protect American labor from the pauper labor that is imported fioin Europe by your wealthy capitalists. They ask that. Why? They are entitled to it. It is your duty to protect your own. and you must realize that this importation only occurs at one time. and that when labor here is struggling against capital for its just rights. when manhood says. "We have submitted all we can etothe exactionsof unjustcapitalists. Itis when laborjustlysays that under the policy of this country for something like twenty years mnanufacturers have been peculiarly protected by a system of revenue laws which have been enacted first as a war measure and afterward maintained under the idea that it was for the benefit of American labor. not to benefit solely the manufacturers. but to protect American labor against the pauper labor of Europe. These laborers say. "We. as the laborers of the country. ask you to give us a fair share of that protection which was enacted for our benefit." They ask that it shall not be considered the only principle involved in business enterprises employing labor to see how low they can make their expenses and how great they can increase their dividends. Whenever labor. driven to the last edge. is compelled to stand up for its rights. then your capitalists send abroad and bring over this pauper labor to work at the rate of 75 to 80 cents a day. not to permanently employ them. not to have them merge in our grand army of workmen and they and their families enjoy the benefits and blessings of our Government. but only for a temporary emergency. to be used in crushing our workmen in any effort they may make to improve their condition and that of their loved ones. And then. after that is accomplished. these poor. misguided. wronged. deceived. and robbed forced emigrants.are turned out upon the wayside to starve. The testimony taken by our Committee on Labor and submitted to this- House shows the necessity of the passageof a radical measure like the pending bill. and can but awaken the deepest indignation against this wrong. against those whose only crime is to be poor. by a pampered association of capitalists who have been fostered and encouraged with the vain hope on our part that it would benefit our American workmen. And I will add that the most deadly blow ever struck at the roots of protection was done by the importation of this alien labor to take the place of our artisans when contending against what they deemed the unjust demands of capital. It has done more to open the eyes of workmen than all the sophistries of freetraders. They have naturally asked. what is the difference between importing the finished product or the alien laborer? The second reason. Mr.