Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-02-27
TARIFF TITANS.
Sketches of the Men Who Know tie
Most About the Tariff.

Most About the Tariff.
WASHINGTON, February 26.-The four
men in Congress who have attracted the
greatest amount of attention since the tariff
debate began are Carlisle, of Kentucky,
and Haskell, of Kansas, in the House; and
Beck, of Kentucky, and Aldrich, of Rhode
Island, in the Senate. These four men
have studied all the ins and outs and vari-
Gus phases of the tariff in its relations and
bearings on all the articles of the tariff list.
The amount of information they have dis
PLAYED is marvellous. There are plenty OF
Congressman who are able to talk learnedly
and eloquently about the principles OF
protection and free trade, but there are
very few of them who can tell how tenth
or hundredth of a cent additional duty
will affect sugar, pottery, wooden goods,
metals of various kinds and all other arti-
cles which are dutiable. To determine
questions like this requires the closest kind
Of study and pretty fair knowledge OF al
most every kind of business in the cOun-
try. If the sources of information were al
ways reliable the work would be lessened,
but in almost every instance manufacture
er or dealer will be led, in
Self Interest,
TO give facts and figures which are favora-
bic to his side of the case, and to withhold
that which leads to conclusions against
him. In the House
Mr. Carlisle
has, since the debate began, fought and ar
gued for reductions, while on the Republi-
can side Mr. Haskell has defended the bill
or asked for additional duties. Mr. Haskell
has the advantage, of course, of having the
majority at his back, but his arguments,
his eloquence and his majority have fire..
quently failed to save him from defeat. OF
course, both Mr.. Carlisle and Mr.. Haskell
have had great and valuable assistance aud
there have been occasions when greater
knowledge of particular subjects was dis
played than they possessed.
Mr.. Haskell
is not the real manager OF the tariff bill,
but has been forced INTO that position by
reason Of the age and physical weakness OF
Mr.. Kelley, the chairman of the Ways and
Means Commi ttee. Mr.. Carlisle, however,
is the real leader of the opposition to the
policy OF protection. He is q man Of mark
ed ability, clear judgment and untiring
industry.
In the Senate
Mr. Beck
has continued his assaults on the high pro-
tective duties of the bill with marvellous
persistenCy. His talk, since the tariff
bill was taken up. would probably
ill several gOod-siZed volumes. He
doesn't Lave great deal 10 say
about the general principles of protection
and free trade, but as the list of articles
come up, one after another, he moves for
lower rates and is prepared to give reasons
Why the rates should be lower. He is now
over SO years of age, and is is source Of
wonder how he has endured without show
ing any signs of WEAKNESS, the heavy
work which he has imposed on himself
since the tariff discussion began. His
room, at his residence, is q perfect work
shop. and there in the mornings before the
Senate meets and in the evenings when
there is no session, he can be foun1 hunt-
ing out fresh facts and figures.
Mr.. AIdrich
a much younger man than Mr.. Beck. He
is only ~. He bears the relation in this
tariff discussion to Mr.. Morrill, the chair
man of the finance committee, which Mr..
Haskell bears to Mr.. Kelly in the House.
Mr. Morrill, is well informed on all tariff
matters, but his age is to great to permit
him to engage in long continuous debate.
On Mr.. Aldrich's shoulders therefore falls
tie greater psrt of the work of defending
the committees bill, and it must
be admitted that he performs
his work admirably. His chief
strength is in the accuracy of his informa.
ton. He has come to be regarded as an
authority by both sides of the Senate
Chamber, end the redoubtable Beck takes
frequent occasion to compliment his hand
some opponent for the correctness of his
information and the clear and terse way he
has in stating his facts. There are q good
many other Senators who have taken q
prominent and distinguished part in the
tariff debate, notably Mr.. Vance and Mr..
Sherman, but none of them have stood 50
Or ominently forward throughout the dis
cussion as Mr.. Beck and Mr., Aldrich.