Speech #540146150

Mr. President. I am exceedingly anxious that this commission. consisting of nine persons. shall be appointed. and that that commission shall deliberately consider all questions submitted to them. and I trust that some parliamentary method may be found by which nine persons. who shall fairly represent the different industries and employments. to be appointed by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate. shall be appointed. and that that commission shall investigate questions pertaining to immigration. to labor. to agriculture. to manufacturing. and. to business. and report to Congress and to suggest such legislation as they may deem best upon all those subjects. Surely. no commission can be charged with a more important duty. If that commission should undertake to dispose of the questions that pertain to immigration. they will be called upon to and will investigate intelligently questions pertaining to immigration. They will report to this body. and will collect facts. as I suppose. which will illustrate the infinite folly. the childishness. and the injustice of that measure. which has met the condemnation of the President of the United States upon principles so broad and well settled. so much in harmony with justice and right. that the Senator. the author of the measure. or who is responsible for the measure. sought to commit it to the Committee on Immigration rather than meet a vote of this body. I repeat that they will inquire whether labor would be benefited by what we term. ludicrously enough. protection. I trust that they will inquire whether labor would be benefited by the unlimited coinage of silver at the ratio of 16 to 1. 1 trust they will inquire whether it is necessary that the American people shall adopt the coinage of Japan or Mexico or China. whether that is best for the labor interests of the country. and I trust. in their general consideration of business. they will determine that the only safety for American business is a rigid and firm adherence to the existing standard of values. and that free trade. subject to the mere duties which are essential for the necessities of the Government. is the policy of the United States.