Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-12-11


the revenue, which he laid down at some length in
speech he made at the last session but be did not
pose to delay the House in repeating those remarks
He then stated how the surplus accrung-
not under the tariff of 1886 but under the treasury
circulars, and the passed two years ago. on some
night in March he believed in the hurry Of preparing
adjournment The bill came from the Senate and it was
now the real tariff law Of the land 1t precipi-
lately hurried through the House. because il was
sary to have some legislation then before the final adj
journment In order TO override the judicial decisions
which had oyerthrown the treasury circulars issued from
the Treasury Department upon the tariff of 1916. His
own idea was but he did not propose enlarge upon ii
in order to get rid of surplus revenue or avoid this
collection OF IT. hrs to enlarge the list Of free articles
and In the enlargement of that list to have especial
ference to the raw material which necessary for
which entered no the composition our manufactures
by which they would be placed upon q par with other
countries in the markets Of the world In common with
ne 70 oe the general experience of feeling
of the country ne felt the necessity ofcorrecng the tariff
OF 1885, Tor rather the tariff of 1885, reduce the
revenue. All will admit the necessity of that STEP
Other gentlemen had their views the mode and
manner OF reduction, which perhaps accorded with
differed from his; but it was of no use to
here what they were and until some bill came up for
discussion knew there interest in the House,
and painful interest out of it, which would bring up
the subject OF the abolition Of duty on railroad iron but
he would not take time to express his own views
and he hoped no general discussion would be gone into
before 1t was seen that some preliminary action could be
had
subject of revenue however majority or minority might be
disposed to avoid it for could think Of let
ting 60 on this accumuating surplus revenue The tariff
could longer be avoided evaded The question must
be met however it had been lodged heretofore No
gentleman either in the minority the majority, could
avoid action upon it, he said for it would to throw
it over until the next Congress- from this Decem
ber and in the meanwhile permit this surplus
roll up and roll These hordes Of gold accommodating
in the various subtreasures of the country would
trade and commerce throughout the whole country Sc
mischevously SO dsastrously eye that an imperative
overwhelming necessity rested upon Congress to upon
the matter now and now the day and the hour;
now in the early part of the Congressional session.
Mr. MILLSON desired to know if the gentleman from,
New York would have any objection to answering or
two inquiries?
Mr. BROOKS replied that he did not wish to enter into
discussion on the subject Of the tariff
Mr. MILLSON said that he desired to ask the gentle
question in good faith. He himself was exceeding
y DESTROYS that there should be reduction Of the
tariff of 1885, From the very moment Of the passage
that tariff to this time he had conceived that there should
be some material reduction. Ye before he could vote
for the motion Of the gentleman from New York he de-
sired to know if his object the his own and
what was the reduction he proposed Perhaps the gem
teman might be appointed the chairman of the commit
tee and he therefore desired to know what kind of
ducton he proposed to make-whether he desired the
reduction upon material alone, whether he pro-
posed reduction also upon manufactured articles gene
rally-he meant upon articles manufactured in this
country?
swer the inquiries Of the gentleman fully because he could
have hand in the appointment of the select committee
He (Mr. wished to say that he aware that cour-
esy would prompt that he should be placed the head
of the committee if his motion should prevail but he de-
sired to modify it to place it in the power Of the
committee to select its chairman because being
Of the party which was in the minority in the House.
thought it would be improper and indicate in him to
oresta that KIND of action which would make him chair
man of the committee.
Mr. MILLSON. i hope the gentleman does not under
stand me as ntmatng any objection to his being chair
man of the committee.
Mr.. BROOKS Not at all
The SPEAKER. The Chair decides that the question
as to the formation Of the committee will up after
the House has acted upon the motion of the gentleman
from New York He cannot therefore modify his propo
sition as he has suggested
Mr.. BROOKS resuming said that he now proposed to
reply to the gentleman from Virginia. bill which he
had before him looked in the main to the enlargement Of
the free list and the reduction of duty upon material
ces; but in examining this subject Of the tariff he would
If he had the list he had prepared before him. land h
had given attention to the subject show it was de
srable to have reduction of duty upon manufac
tured articles in order that there might be healthy
petition, by mportations from abroad with such article
rs under the tariff almost or quite prohibited
now The true rule was to collect a revenue as not Il
prohibit competition from abroad but to create healthy
competition at home against the imported article II,
would be DESTROYS Of reducing the avoid
oil danger Of raising than enough for economical
Il
! Mr.. HALL. The gentleman has stated the opinion OF
the country the tariff of 1916 Upon what grounds
does he assert the country generally desires change in
that tariff?
! Mr.. BROOKS. will answer the gentlemans inquiry
by asking him anoherIf he proposes to let twenty mil
lions of surplus lie in the Treasury, and yet
accumuating until the next session Of Congress, year
ahead?
Mr.. HALL. No, sir; do not.
Mr.. BROOKS. Then there must be action upon
the tariff now What that action is TO be, it is not in my
power to determine II rests with Democratic majority
In both Houses of Congress do not desire to discuss
the tariff now and debate does arise from my motion
1t win be forced upon me against my will All want to
do is to demonstrate that Congress should act now, in
order to avoid further surplus revenue
Mr.. HALL / understood the gentleman TO state what
the feeling of the country with regard changes
the tariff of 1886 and desired TO know his authority
for that statement The recent Presidential election
would show that the country was satisfied with
the tariff as il is.
Mr. BROOKS Oh, let us try to legisste for the good
Of the country free from the excitement of the Pres-
Dental election Let us attend to the business of the
people, and spare us, oh spare US, from politics
Mr. HALL. That is just what | want / wish the
tariff modified to meet the wishes Of the people, and
those of few manufacturers.
Mr. BROOKS. The genteman's party has a majority
Of sixty members in this House, and when the subject
comes before the House from committee of his own
partys selection it win be in their power to shape the
tariff in whatsoever form and they please am
a member Of party in an humble minority here, and
have no power Of dicaton. have only availed myself
Of the earliest opportunity to bring before the House the
fact that there nearly twenty millions Of surplus
in the Treasury, and to request effort on
the part Of Congress to avoid its accumulation
Mr. MILLSON suggested TO the gentleman that such
reduction Of the tariff might be made would greatly
increase the surplus
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