The Republican journal. [volume] (Belfast, Me.) 1829-current, 1884-06-05
A Name Man on the Tariff,

The Congressional Record of May 20th con
tains the speech of Hon S. l.. Milliken deliver
in the House of Representatives April 30t
After some introductory remarks Mr.. Miike
said:
Mr.. Chairman: | shall not attempt at thi
| period of the discussion to enter upon an ey
| animation of the tariff in all its details. To d
so would be to repeat an oer-told story. Al
| ready we have been treated to plethora of de
bate upon the important items which make III
the schedule of duties upon imports; but ther
are some salient points which desire briefly L
| consider. and some statements have been mad
and conclusions drawn by the gentleman VIII,
has Just taken his seat Mr.. CulberSon. of Tex
| as and by others to which | wish to reply
That done, will not further engage the tim
of the House and delay IFS final vote upon thi
question which the country much desires t.
see settled. | feel that the agitation of thi
subject is to be deplored. The bill is not onl,
bad in character but inopportune in its intro
ductlon. SO long as it is pending the busines
of the country knows that it treads upon un
certain ground, and it will advance tmidlv
| shrnklngly. and hesitatingy instead of goins
| forward with firm and healthy step.
| Capital is proverbially coward. Above al
| things 1t Is anxious to be assured against un
known perilS. This bill threatens so many in
dustries in which capital is invested, menacin.
at the same time the re wards of labor. that tn,
| SooHSi We ut>post Vi IL the Delltr. l DeIcNe
Will the people be satisfied. Indeed. | an
sure that If the country is Solictous for ont
thing more than another relative to this Con
| gress it is that we should stop talking. 20 t
work, do the duties that are before Us. adjourn
and give the people Il rest.
| so believing, | mean not to make myself re
sponsible for extending to August Il session
which should have done more and better thar
we are likely to do and should have ended il
April.
| L observe that some gentlemen who favor the
| passage of this bill seek to place the issue be.
| tween curtaing the tariff on the one side an,
aboshing the interual-revenuc tax on The
| other This is shrewd deception. 1t is ;
| Widespread net thrown out to catch votes fol
| free trade But the net is none too well con
| ccaied. though the deception receives help from
a few protcction>ts who are weak enough tc
| tear that system 50 sound is that OF protec.
ton of American industries and American Ia
Dor against the aggressive encroachmentS OF
British interests in this country may pos>ib y
be unable 10 stand upon its own merits. ana
they would therefore make the system a rev.
enue necessity by throwing away more than
a hundred millions of dollars which the GOV
ernment receives As taxes on whisky and to-
bacco.
But this is not necessary. and will not be
Gone. Protection requires no such sacrifice.
1t can stand IN It's own strength The issue l.
not between duties upon imports and Internal
revenue. 1t is between protection and free
trade. All the efforts of the Democracy TO dis
gul>e this fact and sail under a false ilag, as it
,'is cohliHuaiiN heen endeaNofing TO DO ior the
IaSt lWehty-hNe years, vii! not avail it, The
people are studying THIS SUBJECT As they once
studied the character of slavery, and a> upon
that question now upon this they Will arrive
at correct conclusion. Ingenious phrases
will not deceive them. They will not be mis- led
oy cuhnihSly constructed platforms, which
SpecliraIIy state nothing, and may be CON
strutu 10 answer the demands OF the different
ponular sentiments OF dlIfrrent locttl les.
The Democratic shbboeth is tariff reform,
bul every Democratlc orator who rises in his
piact Ill lhlS House and takes "tarltl reform
ior his text makes speech for free trade.
Every proposition he lays down, every argu-
iheht ne makes every conclusion he arrives al.
i proposition upon winch 10 rest the theory
OF Tree trade, an argument urging the virtues Of
Tree trade. Il conclusion that free trade Shouid
oc pfactlcalIv adopted by the nation.
larlh reform Is used Is every other express
ION OF The Democracy upon that subject has
hitherto been employed. 1t has bceH re>orttd
to as cloak to cover its ultcror purpose of
1ree trade. The Democratic party has never
Hel uaTeu 10 phrase distinct, unequlNoraI
proposition upon the tarif question. 1t has
acted toward the people like an intriguing dip
lomat who believes with lallCyraud that Tan
SuaSe was made to conceal rather than to tN-
press the real meaning and intention Of the
speaker. ailu not like brave party c0n>, ,'iou>
OF the honesty OF lis motives and confident of
tle so'lndntes ~ It's principles.
VITA the approaching national election ever
present in its mind. it continually cndcuVor, to
ambush its position. Hence "tarif reform. "
"tarll for revenue only" and tariff for rev.
enue are the devices upon lis banners to-day.
But should such an Improbable event occur aS
It's success IN the approaching Presidential con-
test those misleading tlaSS OF misleading party
VIII pe puIieo down. the 1rce-trade ilagS VIII he
raised, ana American producers OF All kinds.
farmers, manufacturers, and laborers. Will be
treated 10 their hearts content to British mono
PoiE III tus country ana BRUSH pauptrs wages
palu 10 American Workmcn. SO much at least
mas been established by the debate
MOI only nave gentlemen preached trec-trade
sermons ~ ofien aS they have taken tariff re-
torn Tor their text. but we have been assured
~ lhe distinguished chairman OF the Ways and
etnn il, ,,,tt;n,r I,,,.,, ',,t,,,,; u.l,
~ na.t ,to,' III ~ " '' t't
that mo t;,.1 , !, w. ~. H. \; .it' ' "u.
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