y that we would not discriminate
against them in our legislation, but that we would permit these
laborers to remain in the position of persons 'of the most favored
nation.' . . . Here is a treaty by which China, the most populous
nation in the world, agreed that the United States may exclude the
class of people of China that we do not want here, making a
discrimination against them among all nations of the world. But
it is done upon certain terms and conditions, that in respect to
those who are here now they shall be treated as all other peoples
are treated; that no discrimination shall be made against them;
that no prejudicial mark shall be put upon them. By the terms of
this bill I think the treaty is violated, and I, for one, do not
propose to vote for the conference report on that ground."

After a lengthy debate in the Senate the report of the conference
committee was agreed to, and the bill became a law.

An interesting debate occurred during this session in respect to
the effect of the tariff laws upon wages and prices. No tariff
bill was then pending, but a sub-committee of the committee on
finance had been engaged for the past year in investigating this
subject, and had accumulated a mass of testimony in regard to it.
Senator Eugene Hale, on the 27th of June, offered the following
resolution, which gave rise to the debate:

"Whereas, At no time has so large a proportion of the American
people been employed at so high wages, and purchasing the necessities
and comforts of life at so low prices, as in the year 1892; and

"Whereas, The balance of the trade with foreign countries has never
been so large in favor of the United States as in the last year; and

"Whereas, Those conditions exist and are largely due to the Republican
policy of 'protection:' Therefore,

"_Resolved_, That the committee on finance be, and is hereby,
directed to inquire into the effect of a policy of 'tariff for
revenue only' upon the labor and the industries of the United
States, and to report upon the same to the Senate."

The next day Mr. Hale made a brief speech upon the resolution, and
was followed by Senator Vest, who quoted many documents, which were
printed in the "Record," in support of his views. Several other
Senators participated in the debate which continued from day to day.

The full report of the committee referred to, embracing three
volumes of over six hundred pages each, was submitted to the Senate
on the 19th