Speech #610088473

I doubt whether any bill proposed in Congress where the constitutional question can arise has ever been more carefully considered than has the pending measure now before the House. In my judgment. every provision in that bill is constitutional. In my opinion. we have the power under the commerce clause of the Constitution to provide. as is provided in the first sections of the bill. and we have the power under the International agreement. and under the regulation of immigration. to pass the last section of the bill. and having that power. Congress would be derelict in its duty if it did not exercise it. because all of the horrors which have ever been urged. either truthfully or .fancifully. against the blackslave traffic pale into insignificance as compared with the horrors of the socalled "whiteslave traffic." I hope that the amendments which I have proposed. to make the bill a little better. may be agreed to. and that the amendL ment offered by the gentleman from Georgia to take the heart out of the bill will not be agreed to.