Speech #530144408

I am now coming to the point raised by the Senator from Massachu setts and suggested first by the Senator from New Hampshire that the object of this amendment is to try to do in fact what we have been professing to do in our speeches for a long time. We say we are trying to protect American labor. and yet we are constantly inviting competition upon our own soil with Ameri can labor. We are constantly inviting and constantly receiving a class of immigrants who come here and work. who procure the best wages that they can. no matter whether they are lower than or upon the same level with wages that have been established by American workmen. and whenever difficulty arises between our own citizens and the aliens upon the matter of wages. then comes in the doctrine which was taught by the junior Senator from Colorado rMr. WOLCOTT]. whose seat is in front of me. and I am rorry to know that it is vacant. and particularly by reason of the cause of its vacancy. the Senator being absent on account of ill health. The Senator from Colorado. in one of his eloquent outbursts. for which he is noted. said that it is time itshall be understood here and elsewhere thatevery man has the right to work in this country whenever andwherever he pleases if it takes the wholepower of the Government to protect him.