Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1872-03-23

were in favor of reducing the duties upon all
articles.
Mr.. Morton read from the democratic plat
form of 1868 on the reduction of the tariff and
said he understood there was TO be new party
formed in that political mOrgue which had been
opened in Cincinnati for the reception of bodies.
Which bodies he thought would not be recog-
nized after the meeting by their best friend
That movement had started on a free trade ba-
sis, but it was feared that it would not work
well; so it was decided that,it should be neutral
on the tariff question. The tariff, he said, was
a question OF labor and wages more than any
thing else. Wages in England were about sew
en-twefths of American wages; and in Ger
many and Belgium they were only One-third as
much as in the United States; and with such
disparity in wages, it was idle to suppose our
industries could thrive without protection.
There was an impression abroad that American
manufacturers were making enormous profits.
He believed this erroneous, and asked Mr.. An
thony to state his opinion as to the average
proht OF manufacturing in Rhode Island during
the last five years.
Mr.. Anthony thought it could not be more
than per cent.
MIR. Morton asked MIR. Morrill, of Vermont his
opinion on the subject
MIR. Moirill SAID that during the war some of
the New England manufacturers made large
profits chiefly by the great rise in the value of
the raw material they had on hand at the be-
ginning OF the war; but their profits on an av-
erage dld not exceed per cent,
Mr.. Morton asked Mr.. Scott to state the av-
erage profits of the iron manufacturers of Penn
sylvania.
Mr., Scott could not state the average through
out the state, but said in his re9ion-Juniata
iron regiOn-very few OF those who had estab-
lished manufactures had been able to maintain
themselves through the period of depression
that came upon the trade. Mr.. Morton said
further, that while he was in favor of a tariff
which would protect American industry, he did
not favor 4 prohibitOry tariff; but one which
would produce healthy competition between
American and foreign producers. The tariff
could never be regarded as settled 1t must be
adjusted from time TO time. Passing to details,
he said he was in favor of placing tea, coffee
and coal on the free list, and inducing the dutv
on salt and on textile fabrics
Mr. Morrill, of Vermont thought we could not
afford TO make tea and coffee free yet, but la.
vored a reduction of the duty.
The question was taken on Mr.. SCOTS amend
ment putting tea and coffee on the free list, and
it was agreed to-
YEAs-Alcon, Anthony, Foreman. Caldwell.
Cameron, Chandler, Clayton, Cooper, Corbett,
Davis of West Virginia, Elmunds, Ferry of Allchi-
gan, FrelinghuySen, Gilbert, GOldthwaite Hill
Hitchcock, Howe Kellogg, Kelley, Morton Nor
wood Nye Osborn, Pomeroy, Pratt Ramsay, Rice,
Robertson, Sawyer, Scott, Stewart Vickers, West,
NAYs-Ames, Blair, Conkling, Fenton. Hamil-
ton of Maryland, Hamlin, Johnston, Morrill, of
Vermont, Schurz, Sherman, Sumner, Trumbull,
Wrght-l3.
Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont moved to strike out
the second section OF the bill reducing the duties
ten per cent. on cottOnS, woolenS, silks, iron
steel, and other metals, earthenware and glass
ware leather, rubber, oilcoth, &c.
Mr.. Sherman favored the motion, AMI said il
Mr. Morrill, had not anticipated him he would
have moved on behalf of the committee to strike
out the second section, and also to retain the
duty on rice and other articles. He argued thai
| the question of repeating the duties on tea and
| coffee was now settled, and advised The bust
ness men of the country to make their arrange
ments accordingly. But putting these articles
on the free list would strike off over thirfy-ont
millions of revenue, and no further material re
| ductiOn of the tariff could be made unless we
stop all payments on the principal of the ma
| tional debt.
Mr.. Trumbull argued that the second section
ought to be retained because the articles EN-
braced in it were largely used by the masses
and, in fact, necessaries of life.
AT 515 the senate, without voting on the pend
ing motion, adjourned to Monday.
HOUSE.
The house proceedings to-day were very dull
The morning hour was consumed in reports OF
private bills; and a number reported by the navy
| commissioner were passed.
MIR. Bingham, from the judiciary committee
| reported bill in relation to removal of actions
| from state courts in certain cases, and il was
| passed. The object Of the bill is to prevent the
| recurrence of such annoying suits as that whicl
| was brought against Secretary Boutwell, in New
| York recently.
AT two O'Clock the house proceeded to consid
| err The bills reported from the committee on til,
| District Of Columbia.