Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1837-02-14
Th e Il u L / IL.

The bill to reduce the revenue OF The unl-
ted States, reported from the Committee OF
Ways and Means, coming up in its order
Mr. CORWlN, Of Ohio, addressed the
House as follows;
Mn. SPEAKER feel deeply sensible that
I'm about 10 occupy the time Of tho House
UPON subject which cannot possibly be ma
lurcd into legislation during the brief period
that remains to us of the present session. 1t
i, the conviction that the bill before YOU ush- 1
cred into this House with haste bordering up
on rashncss, contains within its provisions
principles too nomentous and vitality affecting
a large portion Of the country 10 be acted up
on this session, that impels me 10 solicit the
attention Of the House 10 my reasons Tor sus-
taining the motion Of the gentleman from
Massachusetts (Mr. Lawrence) Tor tho indeii-
mite post ponenent of the bill. Sir, am not
sure that my thorough conviction ol tho neces-
slty Of tranquilizing the public agitation, which
the presence of this bill here will excite, by an
immediate rejection or postponement OF 1t,
would have overcome my habltual aversion 10
addressing the House, had not, in common
with my friends from Massachusetts and Penn
sylvania, felt that such course could alone
insure the minority Of the committee, with
whom the bill originated, against mlsunder-
standing, as well here as amongst those whom
and report on the table and print them prevail
cd, u paper most elaborate in It's structure,
and volumnous in its dimensions, would have
gone forth to the country, bearing upon its
face no intimation that the whole committee
did not concur in it. To prevent the POSSIBLE
iiy of such tnisconstructon, feel IL a duty to
those who have honorcd the with u seat here,
10 present my protest, against both the bill and
the report which accompanies 1t, at The ,arll-
est moment possible. This poor privilege,
si, We had been denied yesterday, by the
House, but for the timely substitution, by my
friend from Massachusetts, (Mr. Lawrence
of the mo'io for " indefinite poslponement,"
TOR that which mas made by the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Cambreeng.) The
utter motion, by the strict law of Parliament,
did not permit The minority of the committee
10 utter even syllable by way of dissent 10
the principles Of the bill or the report. Cour-
tesy, however, 1t seems, had uniformly concc-
ded 10 minority thus situated, what the rigid
rule denied but, III our case, the gentleman
from New York (Mr. Mann) pertinaciousy
insisted on the letter Of the law. Courtesy
became nconpencnt, and the !" iron rule" of
prescription was enforced. Permit me here,
MIR. Speaker, 10 offer my thanks 10 the gentle
man from Maryland mir. Thomas) for his
manly appeal 10 the House in our behalf
Such exhibitions Of moguanmity a,e rare in
these times, end ought not 10 pass unnoticed.
l did desire, sir, 10 see the bill disposed of
without entering into debate OH its merits,
but Us no explanation could be even limited at
without it, am rejoiced that The present mo.
ton was made, which opens the entire meas
ure proposed TO free and full discussion.
| soail have occasion 10 refer 10 the report,
as that is the exposition presented OF the prin.
ciples and policy on which the bill is based
In doing this, as have only heard it read, and
have not had the advantage OF perusul Of its
contents, cannot pretend TO quote its Ian
suage, nor can hope 10 be exact in giving
even its substance. | am happy 10 see the
honorable chairman Of the Ways and Means
(Mr. Cambrcleng) in his seat, VITO will SIT me
right should | at my time unwitlinely mistake
or misI eprere3cnt tie true import Of his pro-
/ duction. am very sure the gentleman will
discharge such duty 10 himself and ito Inc
with the utmost alacrity. As he, doubt not,
regards this, the youngest Of his financial
progeny, as possessing every combination
Of symmetry and grace, he will not ait by and
zee its beauty maued, without instant intripo-
silion in lis behalf.
The most obvious objection TO the ntrodrc.
ton OF this bill arises from n view OF lis intrin.
sic importance, and the difficult and delicate
osition which proposes radical change in The
existing tariff The whole Of The argument ii
The very volumnious report, which is nothing
but the bill on your table, with q few facts ant
lnlerences to prop and sustain il, mny be con
dcnsed into one or lwo sentences Of plain Enc
lish. 1t is stated land shall not now attelnp
TO controyer any TACT TO which shall have DC
casion 10 rcierl that the existing tariff extend
protection 10 labor employed in manufacture,
IN this country, the annual product Of which i
3 $500 OO0, 900. 1t is assumed land for the SAX
of the argument, shall admit ny that the pro
lection afforded by our existing tariff laws
3 necessary, and no more Than is necessary, T.
3 enable our own manufacturing estabIlshncn,
! TO exist in competition with foreign establish
=, ments employed in the same business. 4
sustain this proposition, the high price nj la
Dor and capital with Va, and the conparaliv
= cheapness Of both abroad are asserted
y The report luther asserts thai the duties col
: lected on imports by the rates established b
, the law OF March, 1888, commonly called III
= comprornise act, will, with the proceeds OF tn
sales OF public lands, bring into the Trcasur,
within the next eighteen months, more reveI
nc, by seven millions Of dollars, than III
wants Of the Go, eminent require, Here b.
gentlemen 10 observe that this last piOposijlo
Is nothing more nor less than a combination
II Two conjccturcs. The first OF these is, III;
Y the inportalous from abroad To this countrl
l. during the next rive years, will rcuch a give
= amount Whether This conjecture shall lie VI
y rlicd must depend upon the numbcress col
d tngent events, the turn OF which no human st
IL saciiy can forcsec, arising out OF the preseI
unsettled condition of trade, labor, aud Gu
IL rency in Great Britoin the change that ma
T., be brought abont in Tho markets Of Englan
&C by the termination OF intestine wars now r;
ging in Spain and PortugOl and, lastly, ii
d very capabhy Of this county 10 consume an
r pay for foreign importatlons must depend upu
If reducing TO order and stability tho currency
this country which, under the improving an
y pagacous guidance Of this administration, h'