Rutland herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1823-1847, 1844-03-28
MIR PHELPS SPEECH,

IN THE SENATE, FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10, 1874
The Senate resumed the consideration of the
following report of the committee Of Finance.
JAN o, 1874 MI Ev ans from tbs Committee on FL
nance repored the following resolutions:
RESOLVED, That the bill! entitled "A bill to revive
the act of the end ofMarch 1885, usually called the
compromise act, and TO modify the existing duties
upon foreign imports, in conformity with its provs-
IONS" is bill tor raising revenue within the
meaning of The ,h section of the first article of the
constitution, and cannot therefore originate in the
Senate: therefore.
Resoired, That it be indefinitely postponed.
Mr PHELPS said he could not concur with the
honorable Chairman of the Committee ofFinance,
that this was fIutless discussion. He was well
aware that nothing could be said that would carry
conviction to the mind of any gentlemen here, in
opposition TO the opinion which he might have for
med on this subject and that nothing could be said
that would influence the course OF this body on this
great question of national policy. Blu, there were
.other reasons for the discussion of this subject
which gave il value and importance, whatever might
be the decision Of the Senate. An appeal was made
by 1t 10 the judgement of the great Of the Amer
icsn people, However incongruos il may appear to
some gentle men that we, who are accustomed to
ceve instruction from the people, should in our III IN
aemp, to afford instr ucion TO them, he yet consid-
cred the people had right TO now our opinions on
subjects of such gener al interest this All agreed
to the importance of this question as connected
with national policy. The Senator from South Car
rolina conended that the protective policy was ru-
nous to the interests OF the country, and he (Mr.
Phelps) regarded it as lie only means by which
the interests cfihe country could be promoted; but
they both entertained the same opinion TO the i'm
poriance of the subject.
Having been member ofthe Senate which pas
sed tho tariff OF 1872 and having given it his support
he could not but feel some interest in Is
now mai The act was in successful operation. The
Senator from South Carolina proposed to repudale
the whoie system Of protection. lie (Mr Pr was
not prepared TO take that ground, and he trusted
that Inc people OF Tie country would feel that their
great national Interests depended on close adber.
enoe 10 this policy What were the objections 10
i'll The Senator from South Carolina haJ dsno,o ~
ced il foul aud faiihless violation of The
mise act. lie has not understood The esn,lso'ap -
intending 10 impeach the motives nf H. ,.t1
had passed the tariff act OF ls42; bn, ,shan ~
strong language was used by the Senator he M,
understood by it meIely, an expression Of The s,o
confidence felt by the Senator in the correc,ness e
his own opinions on the subject.
But the charge was 10 60 before the Country -
We are arragned before tie country on the chsroe
OF a foul and fa,hess violation of solemn PLEDGE
With what provisions OF the compromise act did ,hs
act of lsi3 conflict What the provisions n
the compromise act. lathe 6rs, place /, providel
70. The hons valuation Of goals Imported. Tia