The Conservative. (M'connelsville, Ohio) 1866-1871, 1869-03-12
polithal.g
UncIenn WORK m Congress.

The passage ofthe cDpper-tarif bill, in
the hrst place, was n gross wrong; and the
facts proving the bill 70 be iniquitous and
against the interests of the people, we're in
the possession ofevery congressman voting
for IL.
Every Senator and member voting for IL
knew that If it should become a law ID would
diminish the revenue, because IL prohibit
ed the 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 q 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 10
bankrupt a part Of one class of men for the
benefit Of the remainder of that class, but
for its benefit voted also hal 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 n newspaper ofany par
ty TO defend IL. The expression of public
opinion against il has been general and se-
we're. II was simply impossible that con-
gress could have been ignorant of these
facts when il first passed the bill.
The indecent haste with which the bill
was passed over the Presidents veto il but
additional proof that congress intended TO
trample upon what is plainly right, and ig-
more propriety, IN dealing with the veto of
SO important n measure, and TO defy public
opinion in order to pass the bill.
The facts stated prove the measure to
have been a conspiracy TO rob part of class
OF men for the advantage Of others of that
class, and, for their advantage also, to de-
prive the treasury of revenue and lay a
heavy tax upon the people. The facts
stated prove that every man in congress
knew OF the time of the passage Of the bill
that such was its character.
The bill was passed by bribery. Some Of
the men voting for II were paid money for
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
tisnn considerations. The Michigan dele
CATION was bribed by local interests. The
men representing 'the descendants Of the
Pilgrims were bnbed by a promise that, If
they should vote Cor the bill, the robbery
Of the people for the benefit of New Eng
land manufacturers should continue 10 be
lawful.
Republican newspapers are now anathe.
matizing congress for its corruption in pas
sing the bill. Let them be consistent, and
anathematize il for its corruption in ali
things. The majority in the next congress
will be the same as in this. II WILDE com be-
posed of men who have proved themselves
to be n venal gang Of mscals, aud have, in
fact, been denounced AZ such by the press
of their own party. How can we look to
them for reform.