Democratic enquirer. [volume] (M'arthur, Vinton County, Ohio) 1867-1873, 1869-03-17
Dolitifal
UncIean Work in Congress.

The passage of the copper-tariff bill. in
the first place, was gross wrong; and the
facts proving the bill TO be iniquitous and
against the interests of the people, were in
the possession ofeyery congressman voting
for It. M
Every Senator and member voting for it
knew that lift should become lawit would
diminish the revenue because it prohibit
ed tho importation of Chilean copper.
This copper is used to aid in smelling in
all of the copper mines of the country, ex-
cept those of Lake Superior. Every man
voting for the bill knew its effect would be
TO diminish the production of copper, by
closing mines in Maryland Nevada, North
Carolina, California. and other states, for
the purpose of giving the mines of Lake
Superior monopoly ofthe business. Every
man voting for the bill knew that he was
voting to bankrupt the owners Of mines in
the states named, to add to the wealth Of
owners of mines on Lake Superior n
profitable business under our tariff laws, as
they stood before the bill passed. Every
man voting for the bill voted not only to
bankrupt part of one class of men for the
btnefit of the remainder of that class, but
for its benefit voted also that every person
in the United States buying copper in any
form should pay therefor what the owners
of mines on Lake Superior might choose to
demand.
When Mr. Chandler first introduced the
bill in the Senate, Senator Ferry exposed
its iniquity. Outside Of Michigan there
has not been found newspaper ofany par
by to defend it. The expression Of public
opinion against it has been general and Sc
we're. 1t was simply impossible that con-
gress could have been ignorant of these
facts when it first passed the bill.
The indecent haste with which, the bill
was passed over the Presidents veto is but
additional proof that congress intended to
trample upon what is plainly right, andig-
more propriety, IN dealing with the veto of
so important measure, and to defy public
opinion in order to pass the bill.
The facts stated prove the measure to
have been a conspiracy to robpart of a class
of men for the advantage of others of that
Glass; and, for their advantage also, to de-
prive the treasury of revenue and lay a
heavy tax upon the people. The facts
stated prove thet every man in congress
knew at the time of the passage of the bill
that such was it's character.
The bill was passed by bribery. Some Of
the men voting for it were paid money fol-
their votes. Some of them were bribed by
promises of assistance in the passage OF
corrupt measures in which they were inter-
ested Some of them were bribed by par.
tisan considerations The Michigan dele
CATION w9s bribed by local interests. The
men representing "the descendants of the
Pilgrims were bribed by promise that, il
they should vote for the BILL the robbery
of the people for the benefit of New Eng.
land manufacturers should continue to be
lawful.
Republican newspapers are now anathe
matizing congress for its corruption in pas
sing the bill. Let them be consistent and
anathematizc it for its corruption in all
things The majority in the next congress
will be the same as in this. 1t will be com
posed of men who have proved themselves
to be u venal gang of rascals, and have il
fact. been denounced as such by the press
of their own party How can we look tc
them for reform.