, 1888-01-05
AT WORK AGAIN.
The Senate Discusses the Pres,
ident's Message.
Voorhees, in Defense of Tariff
Reform.
A Revolt Between White and
Colored Cavalry.
DISCUSSING the Message.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.-Senator Sher-
man began his speech on the presidents
message at / o o'clock. The president of
the United States" he said, departing
from the practice of his illustrious prede-
cessors, dropped from the recent annual
message all reference to the foreign rela-
tons of the country and interesting ques-
lions of national a%ffairs,ieven emitting the
usual recognition of the supreme ruler OF
the universe, postponing all things, celes-
tial and terrestrial, until the surplus reye-
nue. be got rid of. The existence of the
surplus revenue had been of constant oc-
currence before and since the close of the
war. Instead of its being a danger, it is
IN indication ola continuous increase
ofthe domestic productions of the country
and its foreign and domestic
and of a steady improvement in Its finan-
cial conditions. Larger SURPRISES had
frequently been dealt with wisely by Re-
publican administrations by q reduction
or repeal of taxes. These simple m
dies had been applied IN the administra-
ton of each of MIR. Cleveland's predeces-
sors since the close of the wal without a
cry of alarm beng raised.
THE Democrats had now had control
of the house since the success of the Mis-.
sissippl plan, except for two years, and
had not proposed a reduction of taxes.
Why had not the president followed the
example of his predecessors by using the
powers conferred upon the secretary of
the treasury and applying the surplus to a
ministration had changed the form of the
debt statement so as to conceal nearly
thirty millions OF money as unavailable
aSaafG II tho nraSIInnf raparJaI rhtS
growing surplus as dangerous why had he
not brought influence to bear upon con-
gress to provide for n reduction of taxa
ton ~
Proceeding to details Sherman said that
in over one-third of all articles of foreign
production consumed in this country there
was absolute free trade. They were
mainly such articles as could not be pro-
duced here and did not come in compe-
tition with domestic industry. With that
kind of free trade he was heartily in sym
patty.
Senator Voorhees, denounced the state
ments of Sherman, Teller and other Re
publicans as insincere and misleading, and
asserted that by way of preparation for
the coming presidential election Repub-
lican legislators were endeayoring to put
the president and the Democratic party
in an attitude Of hostility to American
manufacturing interests. Under the lead
ership of Cleveland the Democratic party
demanded such revision of tariff reduc-
ton, revenue and surplus and such ad-
ministration of the powers of the govern
ment as was most beneficial to all inter-
ests. The frosts of November would
blight the Republican misrepresentation
and rebuke Republican senators who
characterized as 'humbug' the fearless
and statesmanlike message of the presi-
dent.
The subject of taxation was as old as
the government itself, and yet it was as
full of interest to-day to the laboring
masses. Contraction of the volume of
currency had always been a policy marked
by disaster and suffering, but when that
abominable policy was further aided by
snatching the money of the people from
their hands al the rate of ten millions a
month every honest man had to revolt
against such wanton robbery. And yet
the senator from Colorado had sneered at
the idea of the surplus being of any con-
sequence; and the senator from Ohio de-
clared that 1t was fortunate for the coun-
try that there was a surplus of fifty-fve
millions in the treasury. 1t would be for
that senator, if he should become the Re-
publican candidate for the presidency, to
explain why it was fortunate that the
peoples money was gathered into the
treasury in excess of all wants OF the
government.
There was among Republican politi-
clans a determined and brazen campaign
Of %mendacity on this subject. The prcsi-
dent had not departed from the dcclara-
ton of the Democratic platform on the
subject Of taxation. That declaration had
been bold, explicit and p%cremptory. In
cidental protection to home manufacturers
had always been the policy of the Demo-
cratic party. He rejoiccd in every ele-
ment of American success. He was
proud Of the inventive genius of the
country and its vast establishments where
skilled labor abounded. He looked with
delight on the cotton mills, blast furnaces
and rolling mills of the South, as well as
those of the North.
Proceeding to discuss the message of
the president, he said: Since the match
less and immortal inaugural of Jefferson
In 1901, no communication had ever
cmanated from n chief magistrate, more
able, elevated in craftsmanship or more
conducive to the general welfare and good
government than the message under CON
sideration. those who cavilled with
Cleveland and denounced his views were
such as had predetermined to quarrel
and would not approve of the declaration
of independence if it came from his
hands.
The Republican leaders had not only
done nothing themselves to remedy their
confessed wrong-doing, but had hindercd
the efforts of everybody else. They were
incensed against the president because he
had disturbed their policy of inaction.
Their anger was kindled because their
dllatory tactics would avail them nc
longer.
At the close of Voorhees, speech Teller
replied briefly. The pending resolution
TO refer the presidents message was not
acted upon Inc senate then went into
secret session and when the doors were
opened adjourned.