The Cambria freeman. [volume] (Ebensburg, Pa.) 1867-1938, 1871-03-18
The DsIfy on Coal.

Wien the bill to repeal the duty on coal
was before the House of Representatives last
week, our Congressman, Mr.. SPEER, made
the following brief. but forci5!e, speech
against the proposition. If other members
of Congress would initiate Mr.. SPEER's eX-
ample, and speak briefly and to the ques-
tion at issue, as he did, the Sessions OF that
body would not be prolonged to such an lu-
terrninable length, and the tax payers OF the
country would be saved many thousands OF
dollars. We are not quite sure that Mr..
SPEER took the correct view OF the subject,
but that is a question which we do not no"
propose to discuss. Mr.. SPEER is doubtless
honest in his action in reference to this mat
ter. as he is on all other important public
questions, and we therefore cheerfully lay
his views before our readers, for their con-
sderation:
Mr.. SPEER. of Pennsylvania. Mr.. Chair
man, have the honor to represent on this hoor
a district very largely interested in he coal
trade and, sir, in Pennsylvania the Repuoii-
can party calls itself the protective tarih party
Hence ! was somewhat surprised TO witness the
scene presented upon this floor Yesterday, when
a Republican from the State OF Maine INTRO
duced she bill now before the House to assal
this great industry of Pennsylvania aud |
was panied to see following in the lead of that
Republican, Democratic members of this House
from the western States. The existing tarlH
on cual is imposed only upon bI'umnous coal !;
and of that kind OF coal l venture to say there
is very little, if any, bought or soid III the
western States. What these gentlemen from
.lrETVs n =
subject, except to strike down their friends ami
the interests of their friends upon this floor
am at = loss TO perceive.
But sir know well what tie shrCwd gentle
men from New England propose 10 gain by the
repeal OF the duty upon coal. The coal OF
Uya Scotia is mined by New England capt
tai; and this bill simply means the striking
down of Pennsylvania capital and Pennsvlva
nia interests ami the baidiug up of New Eng
land capital and New England Interests and
in that unhuy ,ifurt. ! regret to say my poItl
cal friends of The West seem only too an1 Gus
10 join.
Now, Mr.. Chairman, ] protest against this
manner of legislation. Here is one OF the
great vital, and controlling interests of the
country yet. without discussion, without de
liberation, without any notice to the country,
after over one hundred million dollars OF capi-
tai ard perhaps thirty or forty thousand men
are engaged in this business, that capital Is IN
this hasty manner to be struck Gown, those
men are TO be TUNED out OF employment.
What will be the result pom the success
ful c2rryng on Of the coal business in my
State depends not only the prosperity OF thirty
or forty thousand miners bat upon the pros
perity of those miners depends the prosperity
OF the merchant. the farmer, and the mec hanlc.
Hence, assailing this interest, as you propose
to do bv the pasSa e of this bill, you assail not
only the capital but the industry, the labor OF
Pennsylvania. NHginia, West Virginia, and
Mary land. IN the interest and in the uam OF
the people of nay State | protest against this
measure and | say to my political friends
mere that if they want to lose to the DemOcrA-
cy of The nation the State Of Penns ylvania all
thsy have to do is to join hands with the
.ilrewder Republican free traders fron, New
England and strike down this great interest il
uuT STATE.