Weekly expositor. (Brockway Centre, Mich.) 1882-1894, 1884-05-15
The House Crowded, and Much
Excitement Prevails Dur.
inc Consideration.
The Morrison Bill De.
Branch OF COngress
Forty-one Democrats Vote to
Strike out the Enacting
Clause
THE TARIFF BILL.

VA tuO AAOuoC VA
tatives on the 9th inst as on that day
u vote was to be taken on the motion
to strike out the enacting clause of the
Morrison tariff bill. A great crowd as
sembled early in the day, and through
out the entire session the scene was one
of great excitement.
All other business was laid aside, and
in committee of the whole, the bill was
discussed.
Mr.. Brown, Republican, of Pennsyl-
vania, spoke in support of the protect
i've system of taxation.
Mr.. Townshend, Democrat, of ILL
nois, quoted from various platforms of
the Democratic national conventions to
show that that party had always been
in favor of tariff reform and had always
declared for revenue tariff. Some
gentleman repudiated the term "pro-
lection" and took refuge behind the
term discrimination. If discrimina-
ton were boiled down it would be
found to be the quintessence of pro-
lection. II it was not the proper time
to begin the work of tariff reduction,
when a presidential election was COM
ing on and people could record their
votes the question was when would the
proper time come.
Mr.. Randall Democrat of Pennsyl-
vania took the floor in opposition to the
BILL opening his speech with quota
ton from Lord Chatham, to the effect
that capital was timid and that my
legislation to destroy confidence in it
was not only blunder but crime.
He denounced constant tinkering with
the tariff. Such a course ne declared
murderous and suicidal. He proceeded
to review the more recent action of
congress on the tariff. He said that
after the last change time enough had
not elapsed to ascertain its results or for
the various industries TO accommodate
themselves 10 it before new measure
was proposed, which, although impos-
sible TO pass AT the present session with
republican Senate and republican
executive. had caused much injury by
It's consideration. He criticised the hori-
zontal feature of the bill. and declared
that its introduction was for tho pur-
pose OF producing agitation for the
sake of agitation. temperance people
had insisted upon tax on whisky. and
in this had been aided and encouraged
by free traders. This tax amounted To
not a cent 81 glass. and the fact that
uver-production had forced producers 10
come here aud ask relief. was COM
plete argument that cheap whisky en-
couraged people 10 drink. Ii the set
tied policy of the government MAS
abandoned. and our ports were opened
to the products of ill-paid labor of other
countries, panic. disaster and ruin would
follow. Would it not be wiser to post
pone this matter till the sober second
thought of the people came after the
presidential electionp Gentlemen had
said they would carry every southern
state. Where would they find a north
ern state? Would deprivation of labor
be likely to lead the laborer to vote the
Democratic ticket, while the Republ
can organs, with too plausible tale,
reminded him that the Democrats had
thrown him out of worke He quoted
several state Democratic platforms 10
sustain the statement that the elections
of 1882 were carried on tho identical
protection issue. He preferred some
thing that had been tried and found safe
and practical to this bill, which was
impracticable. The first act of Jetfer-
sons administration was to remove the
internal taxes made necessary by the
war which preceded. He read in Black
stone that he who holds to excise taxes
can orly he justified as war measures.
If the internal revenue system were
abolished to-day there would be no sur
plus TO scare them. and the govern
ment would be more wisely and better
administered He had no hesitation in
choosing for himself and for his people
between this first step toward free trade
and tariff with incidental protection,
As to American labor, he declared him
self in favor of the latter, in the pres
enco of open or concealed enemies.
The protective system has been the
policy of the nation from its foundation.
1t has made us prosperous and happy
country. II the settled policy of the
government is abandoned and our ports
opened to the products of the ill paid
labor Of other countries, panic, disaster
and ruin follow.
Mr.. Blackburn of Kentucky did not
regret the wide range the discussion
ha4 taken. The bill simply proposed
reduction of tariff dues, yet every
action on the tariff from the foundation
of the government had passed in pan
orapic review. Mr.. Blackburn then
proceeded TO consider the bill. He said
the reduction was no more than the
industries of the country would war.
rant. He denied Mr.. RandalPs asser-
ton that this was step to ward free
trade. They were willing to give ev-
cry dollar TO the treasury that was
needed even TO repleton. Beyond that
the collectors hand becomes the rob.
ber's hand. Protection was barrier
TO trade. Commerce could only be
carried on by the exchange Of commod-
tiles. IL was not fair to carry your
products abroad and refuse 10 receive
their products because the home manu-
facturers must be protected. On such
basis there could be no commerce.
lie concluded with an earnest appeal
to the members not to vote TO strike out
the enacting clause, asserting that the
man who voted to strike il out admit
ted to the country that he was afraid to
meet the issue. He appealed TO his
colleagues to keep their promises to the
people. He felt assured 1t would never
be said that con gress refused to oonsid-
or bill that proposed to reduce q con
fesse1ly excessive taxation.
Mr.. Kasson of Iowa, said the oppo-
nents of the bill did not object to re-
vision of the tariff, but they did object
to n sweeping reduction without regard
to the necessities or the condition Of
different industries Tbev wanted the