Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1888-01-05
THE NATIONS SCAPITAL.
Senator John Sherman FierCely
Attacks the Presidents Tar
if Policy.
Voorhees, Attempts a Defense Of His
Chief.
Maine Senators and Representatives
Prominent in the Business of
the Day.
SENATE.

WASHINGTON, Jan. 4.
Among the papers presented to the Senate
was letter from Allen ( Co., publishers.
Augusta, Me, showing the necessity of the
issue of fractional currency. Mr.. Frye stated
as a fact astounding to him that this firm often
received 5 900 day in fractions of dollars.
Senator FRYE presented the resolutions of
the American fishery union opposing any
commission to define the rights Of fishermen
and any new treaty that shall dictate national
! legislation or destroy the small remnant of
protection our fishermen now have, and fav-
oring the maintenance of their rights under
existing treaties and legislation.
Senator Frye presented in the Senate today
Il petition in behalf of the 20 900 Good Tenn
/ plars of Maine for the appointment of an I'M
partial national commission of inquiry 10 re-
port upon the alcohol traffic.
Also, by Mr.. Halea petition against any
change in fishery treaties and in favor Of
rights of American fishermen under existing
treaties and legislation.
Among the bills introduced and referred
were the following:
| BY Mr. Blair, to encourage the holding OF
a national industrial exposition of arts, me-
chanics and productions of the colored race
throughout the United States in Atlanta, Ga,
in 1888 and 1889.
By Mr.. Brown-A resolution declaring that
internal revenue taxation was only an emer-
gency measure and praying for its discon-
tinuance.
The Senate then took up a resolution for
the distribution of the Presidents annual
message and was addressed by Senator Sher-
man.
The President of the United States, he
said, departing from the practices of all pre-
decessors had dropped from the recent an
nual message all reference to the foreign
relations of the country and to interesting
questions in national affairs, even omlttIng
the usual recognition of the Supreme Ruler
of the Universe, and postponing all things
celestial and terrestrial until the surplus rev
enue be got rid of. 1t was an extraordinary
message. The existence of a surplus reve-
nue. instead of being danger was an indica-
ton of continuous increase OF the domestic
productions of the country, its foreign and
domestic commerce and of steady improve
ment in its financial condition In 1906
President jefferson, who had the good for
tune of surplus revenue expressed the be-
lief that the patriotism of the people would
prefer continuance of the imposts and the
application of the money to the great pur-
poses of the public education. roads, rivers
and canals General jackson recommended
the distribution of the surplus among the
States Larger surpluses have frequently
been dealt with wisely by Republican adj
minstrations. These simple remedies Mr.
Sherman said had been applied i'll the admin
istration of each of Mr.. Cleyelands prede-
cessors since the close of the war, without
other matters being neglected or the cry OF
alarm being raised. Why had not the Presi-
dent followed the example of his predeces-
sors by using the powers imposed upon the
secretaryFof the treasury and applying the
surplus to reduction of the public debt.
/ Instead of that and though the outstanding
bonds were redeemable at pleasure the ad-
ministration had changed the form of the
debt statement SO as to conceal nearly thirty
millions as unavailable assets which swelled
the surplus until friend and foe alike cried
out against it. If the President regarded Il
growing surplus as a danger, why had he not
brought influence to bear upon Congress to
provide for Il reduction of taxation, and why
had not Congress applied the remedy! If it
! had been a desire to reduce the taxes with
out reducing American production, the
task was easy, but the enormous powers OF
the Speaker of the House were used to pre-
vent it and in this the Speaker had the
hearty sympathy and support of the Pres-
dent and secretary of the treasury. The
President had on what he (Sherman) regard
ed as "a frivolous reason. refused to sign the
river and halbor bill, which would have APP
propriated more than ten millions for neces-
sary public works and by veto of the de-
pendent pension bill withheld from Union
soldiers appropriations made for their relief.
After going into details of the whole ques-
ton Mr. Sherman said he was willing to cor
rect the irregularities of the tariff and re-
duce the surplus but not by the vicious pro-
cess of horizontal reduction but ty such
methods as would relieve tax payers without
/ iniuring the laborer or the great industries Ct
/ the country.
Sherman CONCLUDED his speech at , o'clock.
Blair asked that the educational bill be
laid aside to allow Voorhees, to reply to
/ Sherman. but intimated he was unwilling to
yield further.
Voorhees, took the floor for a speech in
defence of the Presidents message and III
commendation of the administration. He
denounced the statements of Sherman. Tel
Ter, and other republicans in criticism OF
the message as insincere and misleading
asserted by the way of preparation for the
coming Presidential election. He de-
cared that Republican Legislators and
journals were endeavOring by gross
Misrepresentation to put the President
and the democratic party in an attitude OF
hostility to American manufacturers. Moth
ing is more unjust or unfair. Under the
leaders hip of Cleveland the democratic party
demanded such a revision of the tariff, suci
a reduction of the revenue, such reduction
of the powers of the government, as are mos
beneficial to all interests and most fully il
harmony with the general welfare. The
a IL Ii.
sion and analysis The frosts of November
would blight the republican misrepresenta
tons and rebuke the republican senators
who characterized as a humbug the fearless
sound, statesmanlike message of the Presi
dent Voorhees, proceeded to defend in de
tail the Presidents theories on tariff revision
At the close of Voorhees, speech Sherman
moved that the message be referred to th'
finance committee. Action was withheld t,
give Teller a chance to make some remarks
Teller spoke briefly in reply to Voorhee
criticisms on his (Teller's) former state
ments. He denied the people were suffering
under the burdens of taxation or crying fo
relief.
Pending the resolution to refer the Presi
dents message to the finance committee il wa
not acted upon.
The chairman laid before the Senate tn
Blair educational bill.
The Senate at $50 went into secret ses
sion.
; Nominations of the interstate commerc
commission were ,ferred to the new Inter
state Commerce committee
At $50 the doors were opened and tn
Senate adjourned.
HOUSE.
MANY bills and resolutions were introduce
and referred.
| Among others one by Wheeler to remov
the tax from tobacco and spirits made fror