Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1881-12-22
Senate.

WASHINGTON, Dec. 21.-The cnalr suDmit'
ted a communication from the secretary OF
war, transmitting the report of Capt. Harweli'
of the engineer corps, upon his examination
of the Little Red river, Arkansas, and proceed
ings of the board of trade of Chicago, favor
ing the Hennepin canal project Referred.
Cameron (Wis.), from the committee on
claims, reported favorably without amend
ment the bill to ascertain amounts due cltl-
zens for supplies furnished the Sioux or Dako-
ia Indians of Minnesota prior to the massacre
of 1862, and for payment thereof.
Harrison introduced bill for a public
building in Fort Wayne, Ind.
Reel, submitted resolution directing the
secretary of the treasury to furnish the senate,
as soon as possible, the present rates OF duties
imnosed by France and Germany on manufac-
lures of the United States when imported into
those countries, especially on the various man.
ufactures of wool, cotton, iron and leather,
and inform the senate at what rates like man.
ufactured articles are allowed to be imported
into those countries from Great Britain, II he
possesses such information. He said upon
making personal application for this infor-
nation this morning he had been informed at
the treasury department it could only be OBJ
tanned by a senate resolution. This rule, II
adhered TO generally, would be thought to
snbiect senators to some Inconvenience.
Platt suggested an extension of the inquiry
so as TO ascertain what articles OF American
manufacture were prohibited from introduc-
ton into said countries.
Hawley said that in looking over the discus
sion that preceded the tariff of 1882, he had
noticed a call made upon the theu secretary of
the treasury for general statement OF the
tariffs of all countries with which the United
States had any trade. He suggested that a
like call at this time would he productive OF
profitable material for discussion.
Sherman proposed a modification OF the
resolution so as to secure information in tabu-
lated form, and thus facilitate its preparation
Morrill, asked to have included in the exten-
sion suggested by Platt, "All other products
of the United States" He said the duties on
our wheat, flour, pork, lead, tobacco, and
various other articles, were very onerous, and
he would like to see the exact facts placed
before the senate.
Beck modified his resolution so as to incOr
porate all these suggestions, except that of
Hawley's, which after statement that it
would probably make necessary labor for sew
eral months, was withdrawn.
Debate ensued upon the amendment pro-
posed by Hoar. 1t was objected to by Beck,
as involving the long delay to include in it
detailed information of rates and wages paid
in the counties named to operatives engaged
in the same or similar manufacture.
Hoar said the whole question at issue in re-
gard to the tariff was whether the American
rate of wages could be maintained. In
the state which he happened to represent
operatives in mills are the rulers
in matters of governmental policy, aud for
one he intended, whatever else might happen,
that there shall be awarded to these operatives
such share of compensation for their labor as
will give them opportunity to put their chill
dren in schools, to have their wives decent,y
clad. and have their minds free to enjoy the
luxuries of social life. To DO that, the Amer
ican rate of wages must be maintained.
This could not be done in France, Germany,
or Great Britain. No discussion of the queS-
ton can be intelligent unless it is directed
to the point-can the American laboring man
maintain, as he has for the last twenty years,
under the protective policy which have pre-
vailed this standard OF compensation? He
(Hoar) had read with pleasure the Atlanta
speech of the senator from Indiana Voorhees,,
commencing the policy of building up the
manufactures and developing the industries of
the West and South. Let these manufactures
come in the Northwest, in the Southwest and
in the Southeast Let them compete with,
and in many instances drive out, the industries
for which the East has been celebrated and of
which, in this country, it has had almost a
that the Southern and Western laborer, who
accomplshes the work, shall be man whose
days wages are sufficient to enable him to en-.
joy the priceless luxuries of education and of
contentment in his old age, which should be
enjoyed by every American citizen.
Beck replied that as his resolution was
merely one of inquiry, he thought tariff
speech would not be pertinent at this time,
and therefore he would refrain from any other
reply to the senator (Hoar), except to say that
that senator would find, if he would carry
comparison far enough, that under our pro-
tective policy S. of wages does not procure fol-
the American operative as much of the neces-
saries of life as can be procured by the English
laborer for So.
Dawes-"Why does he not stay at home
then?"
Beck-"Because the institutions of this
country are more favorable to him and his
children than those of his own land, and be-
cause we give him for nothing 800 acres oil
the best land in the world, while England has
not foot to give" AS to the question o1
wages as between New England and the South
his answer was that the wages paid by the
South was no part of the business of the peo.
pie of Massachusetts,, but that with their dis.
advantages of inferior machinery and labor
and with absolute free trade between their in.
dustries, Georgia would continue to compete
successfully, as they are now doing, with
those of Massachusetts,.
Maxey asked Beck to broaden the resolution
further so as to cover the duties imposed upon
our trade by Mexico. He said these were in
many instances exorbitant, and as to some
articles almost prohibitory. We were now
building railroads into that country, and If we
would pursue such course and take such steps
as would ultimately bring about a reciprocity
treaty upon fair and. equitable terms to botf
countries, we will capture English trade and
make the Mexican country one grand theatel
of American prosperity. He moved al
amendment in accordance with his request.
This amendment was accepted by Beck, ani
Hoar having agreed to Withdraw his propo
sition temporarily, the resolution as modified
was adopted without dissent.
Hoar then renewed his proposition in thu
form of resolution, it was agreed to with
out vote.
The secretary of war was directed to fur
nish information relating to deepening tn.
channel at the mouth of the Atchalfa river.
The committee on public lands was directed
to make inquiry in relation to alleged defectiv,
titles in purchasers of public lands IL
Nebraska.
Morgan offered resolution requesting tn,
President, If in his opinien not incompatible
with public interest, to communicate to tn,
senate any correspondence with the Mexican
government relative to the claims specified il
the fifth section of the act of congress of June
1878, and whether payments have been mad
on said claims. Adopted.
Mitchell introduced hill RELATING fo tb