Bedford inquirer. [volume] (Bedford, Pa.) 1857-1884, 1860-08-17
SPEECH
IION. SINOA CiMERON.
ON THE TAETFF,
In the Senate Of tss q. States, June Is, 1860

Mr.. CAMERON. Mr.. President, coming
from State deeply interested iE the subject
under consideration, may be expected to dis.
cuss it somewhat at length. Nothing, however,
ean be further from my intention at this time.
Ny colleague has in his able aud lucid speech,
consuming more than two hours, entered so fully
auto the details of the measure, that nothing
might be able to add would sensibly affect the
result. Besides, upon a motion to postpone,
an argument from Que whose opinions upon this
subject are so we'll known would be superhuous
My views in regard to the great question of
protection have undergone no change from the
beginning. As it seemed to be the necessity
of the country then, SO it appears to my mind
now. With my colleague, however, it is other
wise, he contesses to change Of sentiment
touching he policy of Government toward the
industrial interests of which it is, or should be,
she jealous guardian, aud / hail the change as
au omen Of further changes for the better on
his side of the Senate Chamber. | regret that
50 few Of his political associates thought pro-
per to remain in their seats during his argu.
ment; for until | discovered but fve of those
Senator's 10 their places, Que of whom, if | mis-
take not, was asleep, | had confidently expect
ed sufficient aii through his influence to carly
the bill which has received the support of the
House and meets his cordial approval. Ii
changes are TO be made in favor OF the measure,
they must be looked for on that side OF the
Chamber, for ii may be considered a settled
question that Republican Senators only wait
opportunity to vote against postpouement for
the bill when 1t comes upon its final passage.
Mr.. HAMMOND. Ii the Senator will allow
me TO inturrnpt him, | would ike TO make a
count on bis side OF the House.
Mr.. CAMERON. That is not my business
Besides, the Senator from South Carolina will
allow NE to say, thas the other side is the one
Oh which The impression Is to be made. had
for long time believed and trusted that the
workIngiDen Of my State were 10 get some re-
lief during the administration of Mr. Buchah~
IN. Son of Pennsy lV4nia as be is, aud raised
TO the high, may say, proud, position he new
holds by the votes Of the laboring classes, It
was not too much TO expect of him that be
would have RdVantsged himself of that high
position to benefit the State which has honor
ed hun so much. La the various messages he
has sent to us, be has declared himself iU favor
OF that sort of protection which we desire In
Pennsylvania. But, sir, begin to fear that
we shall get nothing from him; and if my col
league should tail 10 secure the five or six ex-
pected votes from among his political associates,
shall despair of obtaining any measure of le-
lief for the industrial interests of the country
until the Senate and the Administration shall
cease to be controlled by the present Demo-
cratic party. Those five or six expected votes
would, If brought to the aid of this side of the
House, carry prosperity and happiness to the
three millions OF people ms cole ague and my
self represent. Nor will the regrets which
must follow ;he defeat OF the beneficial mea-
sure nnder consideration, be narrowly selfish
IN tneIr nature; because we hold to the doctrine
that Pennsylvania caunot be prospered excep;
her sister States In tie Union shall enjoy that
prosperity in common. We believe that the
advantage OF one part must rebound TO the ad-
vantage of every other pant. While you, gen.
tlemen OF the South, are protecting your pecu-
liar Institutions, you ought, at least, not to
forget that we of the North have peculiar
institution TO protect aud encoursge-our free
white labor. But will not pursue this sub
ject further, and would say nothing more we're
it not for the purpose have to correct some
errors III the statement of the distinguished
Senator from Virginia, the chairman of the Com
nittee on Finance
He began by telling US that no change was
necessary 10 the revenue system from the wants
Of the Government; that change had not been |
asked for ty the manufacturers, and that this
bill is defective 10 all its details He has for |
gotten that he has been at the head of The FL |
nance Committee of tho Senate during this Ad- I
mlnlstration, and for many years before Thai
Mr.. Buchanan came into power with a full Trea-
sury, with over $4,000, 900 in hand and but
a trihing debt. That the debt has been in-
creased by him over $40,000,000 That the
S40,000, 900 Of debt and the surplus of ST. /
100000 makes, together, S57 ,000, 900 squan- |
dered by the Administration, besides the income |
of tue present tariff, which the chairman of FL /
nance says is ample for the support of the Gsv. |
ernment. The chairman of Finance also paws
high compliment to the ability of the Secre- |
tary Of the Treasury. have not the same /
confidence 10 him. have no belief in bis 1T
ness for the place be now occupies. He is |
doubtless man of integrity, bur out of bis
sphere, He inaugearated his administration /
by binnder; by buying the public debt at
premium of about sixteen per cent. in the be-
lief that his income was inexhaustible, and
within the same year was compelled to ask for
IoaH to meet the ordinary wants of the Gov
einment His reports, so far as | remember,
nave been series or mistakes aud miscacu-
ialions. shall not enter upon details, but
oae striking tlunder may be cited as case in
point. In Que of his estimates, arguing against
Tue necessity of modification of the tariff, be
said be weud receive during the then current
yeaf yy,a SlZ,oU00OO from tho duty on sugar.
" " non the money was counted be found but
notwithstanding mistake of SIS 100000. L