Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-03-23
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Daily Kennebec Journal.
FOrty-Scc0nd Congress Second Session.
WAsHISGToN, 90.
SENATE.

WAsHISGToN, 90.
SENATE.
The Vice President laid before the Senate
memorial signed by over 400 Utah women,
strongly deprecating the admission of that
territory into the Union as a State.
Bills reported; By Mr.. Pomeroy from the
committee on lands, to secure homesteads to
actual settlers on the public domain, repeal
ing the presumption laws and providing for
homestead settlements only to incorporate
the Great Salt Lake and Colorado River Rail-
road Company, with a grant Of right of
way. BY Mr.. Boreman from committee on
claims, providing for the payment to loyal
citizens OF London county, Va, for property
taken by the military authorities of the United
States. BY Mr.. Caldwell from committee on
private land claims, extending for three
years the act for a final adjustment of land
claims in Louisiana, Florida and Missouri.
Mr.. Morrill, of VT, introduced a bill re-
pealing the acts granting lands and certain
privileges in the Indian Territory to railroad
companies.
The tariff bill was then taken up for discus
sion.
Mr.. Corbett criticised the bill as making
too great reduction Of duties and tending to
produce stagnation in trade, and argued that
as the premium on gold went down the nee
essty for high productive duties increased
Mr.. Morton said that while prohibitory
tariff was an absolute idea free trade was out
OF the question, and that the doctrine gener-
ally accepted by the American people at this
time seemed to be a tariff for revenue, so
adjusted as to discriminate in favor of Amer
lean industry. Upon this tariff question po-
litical parties were divided, and the position
Of the democrats seemed to be that they were
opposed to a reduction ON articles in which
their particular States were interested, and in
favor of & liberal reduction upon all other
articles.
ilr. Hamilton said that the democrats were
in favor Of reducing tie duties upon all ar
ticles.
Mr.. Morton read from the democratic plat
form Of 1865 on the question of tariff, and
said he understood there was to be new
party formed in the political morgue, which
has been opened in Cincinnati, Ohio, for the
reception Of bodies which bodies he thought
would not be recognized after the meeting by
their best friends. The movement had started
on free trade basis, but it was feared that
It would not work well, SO it has decided that
it shall be neutral on the tariff question.
The tariff, he said was a question of labor
and wages more than anything else. Wages
American wages, and in Germany and Bel
gum they were one-third as much as in the
United States, and with such disparity in
wages II was idle to suppose our industry
could thrive without protection. 1t was said
abroad that American manufacturers were
making enormous profits. He believed this
erroneous, as to the average profit Of manu-
featuring in Rhode Island within the last five
years.
Mr. Anthony thought that it could not be
more than per cent.
Mr.. Morton asked Mr.. Morrill, of Vermont
his opinion on the subject.
Mr.. Morrill, said that during the war some
Of the New England manufacturers made
value Of the raw material, they had on
hand at the beginning of the war. but their
profits on an average did not exceed per
cent.
Mr.. Morton asked Mr.. Scott to state the
average profits of the iron manufacturers of
Pennsylvania.
Mr.. Scott could not state the average
throughout the State but said that in his re-
gion, the Juniata iron region, very few of
those who had established manufactures had
been able to maintain themselves through the
period Of depression that came upon the
trade.
hT. morton tNen Salu 1urtneT tnat Wnlle ne
was in favor of d tariff which would protect
American industry. He did not favor a pro-
hibitory tariff but one which would produce
a 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 reducing the duty on
salt and on teXite fabrics.
Mr.. Morrill, thought we could not afford to
make tea and coffee free yet, but favored
reduction of the duty.
The question was taken up.
Mr.. SCOTS amendment putting tea on the
free list was agreed to-35 to 10.
Mr.. Morrill, moved to strike out the sec
ond section of the bill reducing the duties 10
per cent on cottons, woolens, silks, iron,
steel and other metals, earthern ware, glass
ware, leather, rubber, oil clothes, &c.
At :lG O'Clock the Senate without voting
on the pending question adjourned to Mon
day.