National Republican., 1884-03-21

failed, and must continue totally inadequate to
AFFORD relief ron unnecessary taxation and sur
plus revenue, ~ as the tariff commission re.
ported, im member9 became convinced carly IN
their deliberations" that "a substantial reduction
OF tariff duties" was last year demanded, not by
mere indisorminate popular clamor, but by tho
best conservative opinion of the country" the
best conservative opinion of the country was not
recognized by the minority when 1t framed us re-
port against the morrison bill.
The conservative opinion OF the country de-
manded that reduction should be made in the
present tarh. Gentlemen might sny that the
democratic party was divided on this question.
He admitted that there were some divisions, but
he trusted that they would bo reconciled, and he
beheVed That the party would be harmonious on
the tariff question. He explained that his motion
TO adjourn which was interjected to keep out the
wool" bill was not an act Of cowardice, but was
made 10 preventa dIeilo between two Ohio states
men as to what duty should be imposed lie
wished that thore might be debate on the general
subject OF the tariff rather than OH isolated cases.
In conclusion, he said "Let us wipe out from
our statutes the horrible fiction under which you
legnllEo the robbery of moro than 9DM per cent OF
the American people for the enrichment aud ag,
grandizement OF the other x per cent, and then
am with you for the eyying Of any constitutional
tax by customs or internal revenue, or both or
either, that will fail equally on the people In pro-
portion 10 their ability to pay it. The old direct
!ax levied III proportion to population, unjust as
IL would now be, would bo far less un ust than any
protective tariff you could invent. want
neither one nor the other, and want no tax on
the neoessares of life while luxury or large In
come remains untRXed. Let us ascertain, on
Just economical SCALE the proper amount Of rev.
cnuo required to respectfully maintain the general
government. Let us then raise, by customs or ex-
else, or any other constitutional method you
please, tho necessary sum, sinking all partisanship
IN discussion, abandoning forever the heretical,
slaVlsh doctrine OF protection OF wnEes by act oil
congress- and seeking ever to give repose and COM
fort to the weary tOi.ers III productive industry,
nn no az alone create our wealth. Py IMPOSING the PVT m
legislative ingenuity, upon the wealthy classes,
who are most able TO bear it."
Mr.. Cox had not time to deliver the whose OF
his speech, and obtained leave TO have much Of 1t
printed in the Record. In one portion he touches
upon the approaching campaign in the following
words; 81 believe that If the political party TO
which l belong-the pnrty which, with all is
frailties aud shortcomings and bncksidings, is
still the party of the man US distinguished
from the party of woaith-wcre to 20 before the
country III the next presidential canvass on the
issue of free trade tariff prOectiOn 1t would in
all probability be defeated at the polls for there
is no class of voters whose minds are more tainted
with the tariff horesles Of protection than the
laboring classes who arc most injured by them
But on this issue give me defeat, again and again.
rather than victory gained against the toll,
blood, sweat, and comfort of my icllow-men.
would rather be OH the side OF right than have
such victory"
Mr. Broadhead brought the debate back to the
bill under discussion with short speech in sup
port OF the bill, which he favored on business
| principles. There was now In the treasury with
drawn from circulation, surplus of Sl6O.OOOOOO.
and he did not think that the currency should be
contracted by the addition to that surplus OF the
revenue which would be derived from 10, 900
gallons of whisky. The bill was just, fair, aud
| great distress
Mr.. Belford favored the bill because 1t would
prevent $4,000, 900 from going to.swcll the surplus
| which was kept in the treasury out OF the hands
| Of the laUoring men.
| Mr.. Herbert said that he wished the bill to be
| defeated by square vote, so that the men who
were interested in the manufacture OF whisky
| should Mt lust come to understand that they must
| abide by the law-that they could expect 10 fur
her special legislation for their benefit. II stormy
| days had come, they had invited It; If they were
| IN peril, they were responsible just as all other
business men were responsible.
Pending action the committee rose.
As to-day is private bill day, and It will equlre
| twothird vote to take up the bonded extension
bill it is not probable that Its consideration will
| be resumed before saturday.
The speaker laid before the house q communi-
| cation from the secretary Of war transmitting an
estimate of $4,000 for the pedestal OF the statue OF
Gen. Garfield to be erected in Warrington by the
Army of the Cumberland, Referred.
The house then. at 5:15, adjourned.