National Republican., 1883-03-05

but only under the most solemn protest If
the republicans of the house had had the cour-
age, the pluck, the manhood to have taken
S25OO0,000 of sugar and $l0,OOO,OOO of steel
rails at the last session, they would not be
here to-day witnessing the incoming Of
democratic administration of this house.
Mr.. Smith confessed his inability to under
stand thoroughly the tariff question, but he
was inclined TO think that General Hancock
had spoken wisely when he said that the
tariff bill was a local issue. While the bill
did not meet his expectations, while he would
rather it took $1i0,00O000 rather than
S70,000,000 off the taxes, still he would vote
for it on the principle that half loaf is
better than no bread"
Mr.. Murch briefly explained the objection
which he had to the bill and which would
make him vote against it, 1t protected the
iron and glass interests, but not the interests
in which his state was concerned.
Mr.. Bayne expressed his entire approval
with the first portion Of the bill-that re-
ducing internal revenue taxes. But the sec
tions of the bill relating to tariff matters con-
tained some very grievous defects. Tho
present law was better than the one now pro-
posed. Under the present law the importation
was vast and extended; under the new law
importations would be still greater, and instead
of accomplishing the end proposed by the
legislation IL would increase the revenue. The
consequences would be twofold--they would
be to dcplete the country of precious metals
and to reduce the wages of laborers because
the manufactures of the country would be
diminished.
Mr.. Peelle, while expressing his disapproval
of certain portions of the bill, stated that he
would support IL as q response to the demands
of the people for tariff revision and for the
reduction of internal taxation.
Mr.. Morse read kilograms, received by him
urging the passage of the tariff bill, from Jo-
uinh rhoi nft ip
state central committee of Massachusetts
Charles f. Raymond, Thomas Dorr, George
Ripley, William A. Towers, Jacob Edwards,
Asa p. Potter, and Eustis G. Fitz
Mr.. Fisher said that he was placed between
the devil and the deep sea. On the one hand
was this bill with its many bad features, and
on the other hand was the senate BILL which
was infinitely worse, and the prospect of u
democratic congress composed largely OF men
whe were free traders and revenue men. He
would have to swallow this nasty dose as
philosophically as he could.
MIR. Anderson characterized as an infamous
outrage this proposition to take S350O0,000 Off
luxuries and only 81 100000 off sugar But
he would vote for it, because IL reduced taxa
tion $75, 5,000,000 but he would do so with the
distinct understanding that in the next con-
| gress he would endcavor to get down pig iron
| and knock the iObbery which was in the
tariff bill out of it. He only took the present
bill because tho present law was worse. In
| other words, he wanted to see the people pro-
tected some, as well as the manufacturers and
he supposed that he would have to swallow
| this infamous and noXious Dose
| Mr.. Cox, of New York, opposed tho confer
ence report which even the gentleman from
| Kansas (Mr Anderson) confessed to be an in
famous juggle, but juggle which that gentle
man would vote for. Congress had failed at
| the last session. 1t failed now. 1t would
/ be lgunyn hprpnfthr ug thn prpnt American
congressional failure This bill was bad for
multifariOusness and for other things.
| Laughter 1t was bad for the sheep raiscrs
of Ohio. Job was a perfect and upright man,
who feared God and had 1000 sheep. He
knew what was in this bill. There was
"lamb" in it, but "little Mary" was left
out, and there was no innocence" in
ii. He could not vote for it. His side
of tho house would not vote for it..
| They were receiving swarms Of kilograms
from farmers all over the country urging them
to vote for no tariff bill that did not relieve
the farmers. The people knew all about this
little job. Those who would vote for it would
| have TO go to tho people, His friend from
! Boston (NIr. MOrse) said that he was going to
I the people; but when had that gentleman
| turned republican and protectionist? Laugh
| teri He could not, in minute or two, state
all the nox iousness that was in the bill. But
the people knew it; and the speakers gavel,
as it is going to fall, recognized it. Laugh
| ter.
Mr.. Morrison opposed the report. He had
no time to characterize the discreditable
methods by which the bill had been brought
here. If this bill passed, as 1t would, it would
leave the tariff 40 per cent higher than it was
before the war rates were added.
Mr. Tucker said that for the first time in
the history of the country tariff bill was pro-
posed without any consideration by the repre-
| gan nj n nppnln house had sp
q constitutional question gentlemen on the
other sde) to interpose against the power of
the senate to originate tariff bill, The house
confcrecs had snapped (he meant no disre-
spect) the constitution for high tariff. lAp-
plause and laughter.l AS he understood, the
conferees had said, 1--WE will not raise the
constitution question until we consider the
tariff, and if we get n bill to suit us we will
swap the constitution for it,. If we do not we
will draw up the constitution MS u shield TO
prevent the people getting any reduction of
taxation" He wanted II tariff which was a
low tariff and had resisted to the utmost the
passage of the high tariff bill.
Mr. Mutcher expressed his willingness TO
swap the constitution for the safety and in
terests of the people; and congress was justi-
fled in doing anything which would relieve
| them from taxation. He admonished his
party friends that they would make mistake
If they voted against the proposed reduction
OF taHaIon.
Mr. Kasson closed the debate. He depre-
Gated the action of the opponents of the bill
in trying to pick out flaws here and there.
He could enter into the work of picking
flaws, If he thought that was the proper thing
to do. And he could do it in any tariff bill
that could be framed after two years discus
sion. The object Of the present bill, on the
part Of the majority, was to revise the tariff
without inflicting any serious injury to the
industries of the country, and to reduce in
ternal taxation He had seen men OH the
other side who protested against protection
come over and join hands with gentlemen on
the republican side,a ,andsay to them, 1T does not
protect you enough" 1t was a misrepresenta-
tion to say that the reduction on wOolens was
not as great as on wool. Blankets and similar
goods were reduced 80 per cent, and the in
terests of both the woolgrowers and manu-
facturers were recognized For himself, he
had rather explain why he voted for the bill
| by the simple declaration that it reduced tax
alton $70,000,00O then to have to answer ques-
tions why he voted against IL by going into
details about the rule adopted, and by the dec
laration that it did not go far enough. He
would take the bill, and take II heartily.
The conference report was then adopted
yeas 1872 nays 1l6. The announcement was
greeted with applause. The following is the
! detailed vote:
YEAS.
Aldrich Haskell, Ray,
Anderson, lla2elton, Reed,
| Barr Heilmun, RCh,
! BefOrd, Henderson, ltchardson(N. "
Botzhoover, Hepburn, Richie,
| Bingham, Hill Robson,
| Blsbee, lllscock, Robinson, Mass