The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1872-05-13
THE INTERNAL TAXEs-SHALL THEY
BE PERPETUATED Or ABOLISHED

Mr.. Kelley said:
The gentleman from Illinois (Mr. Burch-
ard) when discussing the general subject
rather than the provisions Of the bill be-
fore the Committee of the Whole, spoke
not only for those who agree with him in
opinion, but undertook to speak for those
who entertain opposite views, and said
that
1.-THE theory of protection asserts that
prohibition is the road to national wealth.
1t dscourages foreign trade, although
profitable, shuts our market against COM
modities cheaply produced abroad, and
aims to stimulate their home production
even at enhanced cost. 1t concerns itself
for few favored producers, and ignores
the rights and claims Of consumers F; it
would force the establishment of manufac-
tories, though unremunerative, and sup
port them by public contribution"
"The extreme protectionist's ideal
is constrained Investigation of industry,
commercial independence, japanese isola-
tion.H
Sir, from my boyhood up, being Penn
sylvanian, have been familiar with pro-
tectionists and their arguments for the
last twelve or thirteen years have studied
their writings with assiduity. While a
member of the Committee Of Ways and
Means have met hundreds if not thou
sands, of the earnest protectionists of the
country in this city and elsewhere on BUSH
ness connected with customs duties. And
say without fear of contradiction that |
have never found one among them all who
entertained any such opinions as those as
cribed to them by the gentleman from nli-
nois, [Mr. Burchard.l And therefore, on
their behalf, dsclaim his Interpretation
either of their views or motives.
By the way, | may remark in passing
that shall not do as the majority have
done when kicking their bantling attempt
to interpret the motives of gentlemen. |
give them credit for as much honesty of
purpose as | myself possess. | believe,
however, that they are so infatuated with
abstract theories that they cannot
take proper note and account of current
facts, and therefore speak in utter disre-
gard of the general results of the last ten
years, of the present condition of the in
dustries of the country and of the proper
tomato distribution of the rewards of in
dustry between capital and labor.
The protectionists of the United States
behold in our country world gifted with |
all soils, all climates, all mineral resources,
and with the powers of wind, water and |
fuel on grander scale than the nations of |
Europe combined. They believe in devel-
opng these resources and making wind, |
water, fire and all the powers of nature |
disclosed to us by science, contribute to
the welfare of man. They believe in
so applying science and the mechanic
arts that the exhausting drudgery of Ia
Dor may be lifted from the shoulders of |
the toiling masses and put upon organized
iron and steel moved by steam and guided
by man or woman.
Sir, if gentlemen will visit the machine
shops in my district 0he leading district in
the country in machine shops they will see
that the heaviest work done in many of
them could by the aid of the machinery
with which they are furnished be done by
youth and women. The pulley,
the wheel, the lever, the screw, and the
lift the burden from the mus
cles Of man, and, obedient to his will,
achieve their astonishing results.
Yes, Sir, the protectonists would devel-
op our natural resources. They would
also develop and stimulate commerce.
How? BY removing all commercial re-
strictions that intervene between us and the
non-manufacturing people of the tropics,
the ancient East, and the islands of the
sea. The gentleman from New York (NIr.
Brooks spoke Of the time when our flag
was to be seen in the distant
straits of Malacca. Ay, sir, that
was when tin and tea and coffee
were free. To woo back that commerce
the minority Of the committee, as protec-
tionists, propose to put tin again on the
free list with the productions Of the lands
which yield us tea and coftee-and those
Of the people who dwell among the spice
gloves of the world or find shade beneath
trees that drop their medicinal gums.
These people produce what we need for
rood, for medicine, and in the arts we
produce what they need and we would
'emove all restriction from commerce be-
.ween them and our countrymen.
We would also remove all restrictions
IN trade and commerce between American
;itizens. We wish to emancipate our do
nestle commerce. To-day the trade of
,ur country is so embarrassed that in large
ines of industry and commerce no man
Knows that the revenue detective may not
1t any moment come upon his premises
md degrade him by arrest and ultimate
conviction. We are collecting this year
ioHi our own plouuCtlO.lS anu COIDiueTCe |
between our own people, by stamp and 9TH
IT internal taxes, from one hundred and
hirty-five to one hundred and forty mill
ion dollars, thus embarrassing at every
,oint the production of wares, fabrics, ag-
icultural staples, and restraining commerce
between American citizens in their own
and. Pursuing freedom of trade, the par
y | represent, the protectonists, would
lasten the day when the odious stamp tax
hall be repealed, and when no government
detective shall enter the home or the bust
less place of an American citizen on legal
rrand. ... .....
How would we raise sufficient revenue?
Sir, beyond the ocean, lying on the same
'arallels that mark the northern portion
VI our country, are manufacturing nations
Great Britain, France, Belgium, Ger
many, and Russia, which latter country is ]
low, under the protective system, engaging
argely in competition in foreign markets
With Great Britain and France. They pro- j
luce what we do--iron, steel, and other
Iseful metals. They spin and weave cot
on, wool, silk, and other fibers. They {
manufacture chemicals. They compete !
With us in all lines of industry /
iere, sir, is the field from which the pro- /
ectionist would raise the revenue of the
government. The laborer of those nations I
paid sometimes one-eighth the wages of !
m rioon ,,-o,,l,,,,a,, co,,o