National Republican., 1883-01-26

to the American congress- The tariff COM
mission had been unable TO perfect its work.
The time given 1t was insufficient for the
work, and tho commission deserved neither
the blame that had been heaped upon it ON
tho one hand nor the laudation which its
work had received on the other. Considering
the brief time given IL, the want Of experience
in such labor of many of its members, the
commission had performed what he regarded
as a wonderful work, and, so far as its labors
went, he accepted almost all its suggestions.
But when the committee came TO examinethe
schedules presented by the commissionit found
that, though some of them relatively few APP
peared to have been deliberately considered,
most of them seemed to be the report Of sub
committees TO which particular subjects wero
referred, and whose reports had never
been revised by tho full commission.
Thus it had occurred that articles appeared
twice in tho same schedule with different
rates of duty attached thereto. The commit
tee on ways aud means had found itself very
seriously reflected upon as making inroads
upon the commissions free list, while in truth
end in fact IL had made large additions to IL.
Fault had been found with the committee for
striking from the free list cabinets, antiqui-
ties, &C. He could not deny that the COM
mittee had struck these articles from tho FREQ
list, but it had done so because IL could not
see why they should be twice on that list on
the same page. Notwithstanding this evil
dence of haste, the commission had per-
formed work for which he was
grateful and for which ho believed
that the country would be grateful.
He should not attempt to discuss the details
of the bill. He was very anxious that the
bill should have full and fair consideration,
and yet that it should be promptly disposed
of He had no desire to waste time in debate,
but hoped that the committee would make
the general discussion very brief The busi-
ness of the country was almost at stand
still. Men were neither willing TO manu-
facture nor import. The whole country was
suffering, and productive industries were
palsied by uncertainty. While expressing
tho hope that gentlemen on tho democratic
side would agree to a brief debate, he begged
his republican friends to be faithful to their
country and their constituents in this
emergency and to be in their seats whenever
tho house might be asked to go into commit
tee of the whole on this bill. They owed II
TO the country, to tho toiling millions who
labored, to the men of enterprise whose capi-
tai was not commensurate with their under
takings, and who would be embarrassed by
long delay and the stagnation of business
they owed IL to the fair fame Of tho forty
seventh congress to act with promptness and
expedition on q matter which SO vitality af-
fected the interest Of the country.
Mr.. Carlisle, of Kentucky, suggested that
the failure Of the gentleman TO state his opin-
ion as to tho reduction of the rates of duty
and of the revenue by the pending measure.
Mr.. Kelley said that he had cut his speech
short because he understood that q message
from she senate was being transmitted to the
house relative to the late Hon. b. II. Hill.
He would take the floor at some future time,
If necessary, to respond to questions. The
experts reported that the net decrease of
revenue from the adoption Of this bill would
be 800, ,S55, 700. His own impression was that
the reduction would be much greater.
The committee then rose, and public busi-
ness being postponed, the house proceeded to
consider the senate resolutions upon
THE DEATH OF SENATOR h. II. HILL.
Mr.. Hammond, of Georgia, was the first
speaker. He gave detailed and interesting
history of the early life and education, and
the political career of the dead statesman.
His reputation in congress had been well es-
tablished his conduct here, his speeches and
votes had passed into history. They were too
recent to need comment now The pride of
his state was seconded by the country which
cheerfully counted him among the great men
of tho age. His long suffering had mellowed
admiration into love- and through long line
of sympathizing fellow-citizens, representa-
tives and senators had borne him to his grave.
Mr.. Spear, of Georgia, bore testimony to tho
great and good qualities of the dead senator.
Never had public esteem and prive affection
been more signally manifested than at his OBJ
sequies; but neither public esteem nor private
affection could do that for his memory which
he had done himself He had been man of
unimpeachable integrity, ever cvincing by
precept and example his regard for morality
and religion. He had loved his country-his
whole country its constitution, its laws, its
liberty. lIe had been n man to whom his
whole country was ever more than part.
Georgia had hardly another-he might say
not another-such life to lose.
Mr. Tucker, of Virginia, speaking for his
state, begged to lay the tribute of her respect
ON tho grave of Benjamin III. Hill. The grave
had closed over his career, which, though it
was not prolonged to old age, was one of the
most brilliant and memorable in our peoples
history.
Mr., House, of Tennessee said that the fact
was everywhere realized that n man of great
intellectual power had fallen, and that va
cancy had been made in the national councils
which could not be readily filed. Passing on
to consideration of Mr.. HIPS congressional
career, Mr.. House gave q history of the cele-
bratod amnesty debate in the forty-fourth
congress, which had been participated in by
Benjamin III. Hill, James A. Garfield, and
James G. Blaine. If 1fanybody had been called
upon TO point out two men on that floor whose
robust health and vigorous manhood gave the
greatest promise of long life the selection
could not have fallen on two members more
appropriately than on Hill and Garfield.
How soon were those two men doomed
to leave this world under circumstances
of lingering and protracted suffering that
stirred the sympathy of all. Upon the latter
hOnors had been showered with proiusion,
which left his ambition but little to desire.
While the laurels on his brow were yet wet
with morning dew the bullet of beastly and
vulgar assassin laid him low. The national
heart stood still with horror. The democrat
forgot that he was republican president, and
the southern man that he belonged to the
north. He met his fate with great fortitude
and lofty courage which silenccd all criticism,
while il intensified the universal horror with
which the assassin's crime was regarded Mr..
Hill had been called to the senate and soon
took u front place as q statesman of great at
tanments aud ability; but when ho felt q
long career of honor and usefulness opening
before him the adIhonition of death had come,
not, indeed, in the guise of an assassin's bull
lot, but in form no less certain. He made a
brief fight for his life, but all his efforts
proved unavailing and at last he went home
to die. How little we know OF what the
| future has in store for us.
Mr.. KassOn, of Iowa, made q brief and
touching speech eulogistiC of the qualities of
Senator Hill, whom ho compared to Oliver
Cromwell He had combined great selfpoise and
apparent consciousness of power with u certain
solemn adamantine honesty of purpose which
rendered the movement of his intellect one OF
extraordinary power. No better tribute could
be paid to his memory than for members To
practice in their relations with each other