The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1880-10-01

On April !, 1870, the following debate took
place in the House Of Representatives be-
tween General Garfield and Hon. w. d.
Kelley of Philadelphia:
"Mr. Garfield AS an abstract theory of
political economy free trade has many ad-
vocates aud much can be said In its favor
nor will it be denied that the scholarship OF
large majority OF the great thi mixers of the
present day are leading in the direction Of
what Is called free trade.
See appendix to Congressional Globe End
session, 4lst Congress, p. 26S.
REpUDIATED BY CoNGREssMEN FROM PENN
sYLvANIA.
In 1877 when General Garfield was the
nominee of the Republican caucus for Spea-
ker of the House of Representatives, con
siderable portion oftho Republican members
of the Pennsylvania delegation refused to
support him on the ground that his position
on the tariff question was inimical to the in
terests of Pennsylvania. Prominent among
them were Messrs. Errett aud Baync, of Pitts
burgh, and Mr.. Kiiuger, of the Dauphip
district. The last named in explanation of
his refusal to support Garfield for the speak
ership addressed the following letter to the
Philadelphia Times, which was duly pub
lisei in that journal
10 the Editor of the PhIadelphia Times:
In reply to the inquiry, will soy that in
| the vote for Speaker, we chose the lesser of
the two evils. We could not elect the Speak
er, and the only significance our action had
was its indication of expression of confidence
in the nominee on the great aud vital ques-
| ton of protection to our industries and en-
ploymeut for our laborers. In my judg-
ment all questions are subordinate to this
When, therefore, the caucus determined 10
compliment Mr. Garfield in this way had
to choose between sanctioning by my vote
such an action or to express my dissent by
with holding it. Mr.. Gar6eld's record on this
question is well known TO the country, and
some of 1t has come under my own obserya-
tion. could not therefore, pass it by rs in
significant or unimportant. Without mean
ing any dsrespect to him | am conf elied
|
not actually hostile, to the opiniors we hold
in Pennsylvania. have never found him to
stand squarey for protection. He would
not be accepted by the Republicans of my
district as an exponent of their views. and
could not compliment him with their vote
for the speakership without manifest iucon-
sstency and doing violence to all my conyc-
tons of duty and principle. NJ itieud u!
American system of revenue and finance has
ever leen complilnented with honorary men-
ohjec, of these leagues is well known to be
the strengthening IF British influence in for
eign countries They aim to secure markets
bsre for British manufactures, ard to that
end are hostile TO our home industries. In
c,mmon with William G. Bryant, Samuel
S. c and d. A. Wells, notorious free tra-
ders, Mr. Garfield stands in connection with
such league. So long as he et.ins such
connections and does not disavow its perm ic.
ious heresics, do not see how to acquit him
of holding the opinions of British co-.ab ,r-
ers. Ii needed some resolution to eXI ress
our dissent from the conclusions reached b
the caucus. The Republican organization
should bc maintained by the par,y's repre-
sentstives, especially at this juncture, when
We are threatened with disintegration in
high quarters But unless we can a. the
same time maintain the principles which
gave value and vitality to the organization,
party ties will weaken and our early dissolu.
ton is certain. So chose the lesser of the
two evils in Withholding the vote of the
Fourteenth district from nominee who
fails to be in accord with its people on the
greatest question before the country.
J. w. KILLINGER
| WASHINGTON, October II, 1877.
Notwithstanding these facts General Gar
field, when confronted by certain protection
ists in his own State last winter, when he
was candidate before the Ohio Legislature
for United States Senator, denied that he was
in favor of free trade and claimed to be as
good a protectionist as any body. During
the last session of Congress, as a member OF
the ommiitee Of ways and means, he acted
with the obstructonists in that committee
aud assisted in thwarting the efforts Of those
who strove for the repeat ofthe odious duties
on wood pulp, printing paper and salt His
record is that OF free trader when the inter-
ests of Pennsylvania were concerned in pro-
lection and of a protectionst when the in
terests of the whole people demanded that
prohibitory duties should be reduced or re-
pesled Well might Thsddeus Stevens ad-
dress to him the question already quoted,
"Why not come out honestly?" &c.