The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1846-08-20
CON EssIoNAL.
SPEECH OF MR.. CHASE,
OF TENNEssEl

OF TENNEooEEt
IN the House Of Representatives, June 20, l946-on the
'.. tariff.
The House being in Committee of the Whole on the
state of the Union, and having under It's consider
alion bill producing the duties on imports and for
other purposes"-
Mr.. CHASE addressed the committee as fol-
lows;
Mr.. CHAIRMAN: Before proceed to an examine
ton of the bill now undeT consideration, hope
may be pardoned for abiding to the arguments adj
vanced during the progress Of the protective policy,
by It's advocates. 1t will be found, that as ctcum-
stances have changed, have the opinions Of the de-
tenders Of the restrictive system Yet, sir, IT is well
10 bear in mind that the reasons for this versatility
not quite obvious, the desire 10 fasten the
impression upon the public mind that THAR policy adj
vanees the welfare and happiness of ALL ..,....
Not the least jealous among this class OF politicians
is the gentleman from Massachusetts,, MIR. HUI.
SON His position, the great defender of the pro-
iecye policy upon this floor, entities his oplnions TO
consideration. say, sir, that however anxious 9th
gentlemen may be TO assume the leadership OF the
wing forces upon this question, IN my Judgment the
ability and research Of the gentleman from Massa-
chusetts entitle him to that position. The member
from Massachusetts, shakes his head 10 token OF dis
sent. Will he suffer me TO remark that great mod
ssiy Is often the accompaniment Of ability
Voices in various parts Of the hall, exclaiming,
"What will you do with SrEwARr'''l
ofa position where very fritz imagination has
placed him. "a ...
: Well, Mr.. Chairman, it has been an argument
very much relied upon by the wing party, thai
foreign tariffs being so high, we should in self
defence, establish countervaiiing duties. This
ever appeared a strange argument to me. | can
not YET conceive the policy or justice Of heapng
burdens upon the people Of this country because
foreigners are oppressed by their governments.
Yet SIR little weight this assertion ought to
have Il certainly has not been without its influence,
II is very natural where injuries inflicted upon
us, that feel irresistible desire to realiate,
gardless Of the consequences; and when the high
tax imposed by the powers of Europe upon our to-
bacco, cotton, wheat, pork, &c, was announced by
the wings, they artfully accompanied the statement
with recommendation to establish retaliatory du.
ties.
The gentleman from Massachusetts, [Mr. HUp.
sos,l in report made by him the 10Th of April,
lsi4 slludes to this subject with much ingenuity.
He remarked;
The committee nothing In the policy Of other
tons which would justify In adopting the delusiye heo
Of free trade The new tariff Of Great Britain which has
been hailed as the harbnger OF commercial millennium Is
highly restrictive in its character Some articles which
formerly prohibited she admits but duty so
nearly prohbory that they cannot DO imported except in
cases" But what is the free trade that Eng and
tenders to usl On what does she receive staples
Why, she imposes the following rate OF duties upon our
products: