Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1833-02-27
CONGRESS.
IN SENATE, MosDAY, Feb. Is.

and ordered to a second reading
Mr. KING moved TO SUSPEND for two days the
order which excludes all persons from the hoor
The CHAIR stated that it would be impossible
to preserve order. If the rule should be suspend
ed He understood that when the gallery front
ing the Chair was erected, it was intended that
the frst seat should b. reserved for ladies; and
although il was now filled with persons who un'
doubtedy had right to occupy it, he was GER
tain that il would be only necessary to make the
suggestion, to induce every gentleman to retire
from that position for the purpose OF accommo-
dating female visiters. At the same time, he
svm6eI his entire willingness to conform to the
present motion, if such should be the unanimous
wish of the Senate.
No objection bling made, the order was sus'
pended.
NOTIFICATIONS OF THE TARIFF.
The bill to modify the act o! the 18th day of
July, 1884 aud all other acts imposing duties on
imports, was read a third time, and the question
being on its passage,
The yeas aud nays were ordered on this ques-
ton, on the call of Mr.. King
Mr.. WEBSTER then rose, and gave his senti-
ments 10 opposition to the bill. lie paid, in the
commencement, a tribute to the purity, zeal,
and ability Of the Senator from Kentucky, Tor
whom he had so long entertained high respect,
and to elevate whom TO situation where his ia
Tents might be still more beneficial to bis coun-
try, he had zealously labored. He also compi-
men,ed the talents and services of the Senator
from South Carolina. with whom he had so often
acted. and for whom he had always felt sincere
regard. lie briefly reviewed his own course,
when the former bills on the subjec, Of the tariff
were under consideration, and the conviction
which was forced on the East, and other portions
Of the country, that the protective system was to
he the settled policy Of the Government. New
England had resisted, IN the first instance, the
establishment of a high protective policy; but
when that VAS determined on, the Eastern States
turned all their natural advantages, and their
capital Of wealth and industry, into the new
channel thus marked out for them The bill OF
1926 was to carry out the promises made by the
bill of 1924. He disliked the bill of 1928, YET
had voted for il on account Of that feature in it
which gave the woo'lens the protection which the
Government had pledged itself to give by the
law of 1894 Fiat bill decided the policy Of
the country, unless it was to be kept in state
Of perpetual huctuation and uncertainty.
After passing the law of last session, Law
containing some features of concession and CON-
promise, when the country was not prepared for
any change, the present bill, protesting to be
bull of peace, of arrangement, and Of c0mpro-
mise, is brought forward by the distinguished Sc
nator from Kentucky. who Processes to have re.
nOonced none OF his fprmer opinions as to the con.
stitutionaty and cxptdiency of protection The
bill is also supported by gentleman whose OPT
nons are directly the reverse of those entertain
ed by the Senator from Kentucky, When it
was supported BY such opposite feelings, It was
important to look into the provisions OF the BILL
He stated the various considerations which ought
to weigh with those who, as friends of the pro.
tective system, voted for this bill.
He did not object to the prospective and bien-
NAL reductions made BY the bill up to 1871, but
he objected 20 the clauses which did, in effect.
prohibit the repeating action of any subsequent
Congress upon this bill, until 1912. He also OBJ
jected to the proyiso in the fifth section, which
was restriction on the power OF Congress. He
put it to the Senator from Tennessee, (Mr. Grun
dy) who had introduced the clause, to say If he
did not intend that il should show that Congress
was to be considered as bound by the bill, as far
as this Congress- could bind the future legislation
OF the country!
Tie protected articles may, by this bill, be
reduced below 90 per cent. ad raloren, but can.
nct be raised above 20 per cent.
He opposed the bill because it imposed a re-
striction on the future Legislation OF Congress.
He also opposed it because it seemed 10 yield the
constitutional power Of protection. Various ar
guments were advanced by him to show that the
Southern politicians would, if this bill we're pass
ed, tell every Of their constituents, that they
had gained some concession to the opinions OF
the South. He said that he approved the saga.
cious silence OF the Southern gentlemen. They
would not suffer themselves to be provoked by
friend or enemy to speak before the time should
come when they ought to speak. They were
masters Of the game, aud they knew it. He
commended their policy, but he wished them
to see that he understood it. In giving up speci.
fc duties, and substituting ad ualorem, the bill
had abandoned the policy Of all wise govern.
ments, and the policy Of our Governments, and
the policy always advocated by the Senator from
Kentucky. He viewed the bill as a surrender
OF all the Interests Of the smaller capitalists. and
concession IN iavos of overgrown monopoies
lie pointed out the effects of this surrender on
our own condition, and the handle which it would
give to >arlsts, and foreign writer's, and the po-
cts laureate OF all the mOnarch,es pf Europo 70 /