Speech #540146189

If we are to benefit the labor of this countryand when I say that and use that phrase. I mean if we are to benefit the country. for the labor of the country is the countrythen we must. if we are to make an investigation to inform ourselves as to any proposition that is before us in the nature of legislation. make a specific inquiry in the domain of our legislative powers. and not make this futile endeavor to cover the whole domain of human interests as this amendment does. Listen. sir. to what is to be committed to this commission: It shall be the duty of this commission to investigate questions pertaloing to immigration. to laborWhich includes almost every interest that concerns this Republicto agriculture. to manufacturing. and to business. There you have taken in the great circle of human activity. the larger part of which. under our scheme of government. is within the legislative control of the States. and you have left out the only two subjects that are legitimately and properly within the domain of Congressional legislationthe tariff and the currency. You have excluded the very matters about which we have a right to legislate. and you will have told this commission. if you enact the bill into a law. to investigate every other subject under heaven except those that come within the purview of our constitutional legislative power.