The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1880-03-12
sHARoN.s SPEECH.

Washington, u.-FolloRing is a
full report of Senator sharon's re-
marks IN the Senate to-day:
Mr. Presidential presen. petition
OF two citizens OF Nevada, praying for
a reduction Of the duty on certain
kinda of paper and chemicals used
in printing. The petitioners are
editors OF q jogrnal published at
Eureka. Is to their circulation, it
probably does no. reach more than
the hundrenth part OF the popuist On
OF the state that [ have the honor, IN
part, to represent; but l Wish, how
ever, to make enc remark liz regard
to the petition. I am inclined TO
think that since the war q great
many beneficial notifications of tbs
tariff might have been made. The
effect OF the duty on the articles
named in the petition, with labor
and capital combined, has ad-
vanced the price OF paper be-
yond reasonable and a fair
profit, and also the price Of
many other things. The desire must
be general for cheap production, as
all people are more or less consumers.
1t is said that there is war between
capital and labor; that cannot be the
case in any just sense. because it can
nCt be wisely said that labor is at war
with that which it most needs, and
capital is very certain 10 fly from
danger. The truth is simply this,
capital and labor united are at war
with production to enhance prices for
the purpose Of fleeing the masses.
Labor unIillingly assumes a war on
capital and cunningly hides its pur-
pose, namely. war on production,
having the same result; namely, an
increase of price, which in the end
comes from the consumer. Oar
sympGthies must necessarily be
with the massee, as they con-
stitute the great whole, and all
correct and jus; legislation must
look at the greatest benefit 10 the
greatest number. Recollect that
these powerful interests, which are
protected by tariff. are ever present
here. They are sometimes aggressive
and not always sorupulous. The
people are suffering, patient and en-
during, aud never move until forced
by some grea. army. They have,
by frequent petitions of similar plr-
port, appealed to our sense OF fairness
and justness. l move the petition be
referred to the committee on finance.
The motion was agreed to and Mr..
Sharon continued
Mr.. President Before / take my
seat l wish to allude briefly to an.
otaer matter simply personal to my
self, and to the Senate. When [ was
elected to seat in this body l sup
posed that all around me was
financially smooth and clear.
Just after my election 1 found
that an associate and friend
had involved myself to the extent of
millions OF dollars. It was a ques-
tion with me whether | should then
continue in the Senate or resign;
confidently expected TO arrange my
affairs Immediately and be COLI
tinuously present. 5u: that pleasure
All duty was denied me. I would
have been proud to have participated
more in your deliberations. l know
there has been private and public
comment upon my absence; nothiGg
but the vital necessities OF tue occasion
and the large complications in which
l was involved, could have kept me
away. l know as well IS any senator
in this body my duty, and its
privilege; l know my duty to my
state, my country, and nothing but
these great difficulties could keep me
from performing tina: duty. l wish 10
say one word more. These
complications may again call
me away for three or four
weeks aud 1 ask the kind
indulgence OF the Senate on account
If my absence. l have said ell the
lime that, should my constituents de-
nand my resignation, it ia in their
hands.
Senator Sharon says be intends to
tart homeWard next Saturday even
ng and he will return 10 Washington
y the middle of April.