The Russellville Democrat. [volume] (Russellville, Ark.) 1875-1898, 1888-05-24
THE TARIFF DEBATE.
The Discussion of the Mills Bill
Drawing to Close.
synopscs of Speeches Delivered in the
House of Representatives by
Messrs. Randall, Mckinley
and breckenridge.

and Breckenridge.
At ff:05 .. ~ AZ. Randall tPa) was reeog-
nized fne floor was filled with members
and the galleries crowded with spectators,
many of the diplomatic corps being in their
gallery Mr. Randall opened by reading
a portion Of the Presidents message
and drawing therefrom the inference
that the President was avcrse - any reduction
Of internal taxation and desired the whole G.
duction OF taxes to fall on the tariff. He diff
fered from the President on these points, and
advocated the total repeal OF all internal
taxes Republican applausel, except the reten-
tion OF tax OF fifty cents gallon on whisky
not used in the arts. and the collection OF this
Tax he would transfer to the customs officers.
He would also revise the tariff as promised by
the Democratic platform OF 1884 He discussed
in detail the principles of the bill introducedby
himself on these lines.
Mr. Randalrs voice became so inaudible that
members shouted "louder." Promptly at the
expiration of his hours time twelve o'cloclS)
the Speakers gavel fell. Mr.. Randall's disap-
pointment was plain.
There we're cries of go on" "Go on.
Mr.. Mills walked down the aisle and shouted
"Iobjectn Groans and cries OF "Oh, oh, don't,
don't" came from both sides Of the House, and
members fioclscd around the chairman OF the
ways and means committee and begged him TO
Withdraw MS ODleclOHS ana permit Mf. KAN
dali to proceed but Mr. Mills was inexorable.
Finally, Mr.. Randall asked as personal favor
that he be given a few minutes more.
mo, I viii not withdraw my objection" said
Mr.. Mills. u must-lraw the line and draw it
mere"
At this there were removed groans, Kisses and
exclamatons OF "oh, OH.
In the midst OF the confusion, Mr.. Mckinley,
who follows Mr.. Randall, arose and said he
would give the gentleman from Pennsylvania
fifteen minutes OF his (McKinley's) time This
was received by tremendous applause,
Mr. Breckinridge (Sy) who follows Mr.. Nc
Kinley then proposed to give an equal amount
OF time from his hour, and Mr.. Randall re-
sumed his speech
He quoted from Edward Atkinson to show
that since the close OF the war, and even since
the so-called panic OF 1873, there had been
greater progress in the common welfare among
the people Of the United States than ever be-
fore The statements OF Mr.. Atkinson, Mr..
Randall thought, seemed to settle the question
MS TO whether we should adhere 10 the benevo-
lent policy OF protecting home manufactures.
1t demonstrated unmistakably the truth that
TO increase wages products must be increased,
for in the end, wages were but the laborer's
share of the products. While a dollar might
buy more in another country than here, days
labor here would obtain more Of the comforts
of life than anywhere else. Under free trade
this advantage TO labor disappeared. 1t was
impossible 1t should be otherwise. II the tariff
itself did not give higher wages to the laborer,
it did preserve from foreign competition the
industries from which the laborer received
his wages,
Referring to fundamental proposition
which had been advanced in this tariff discus
sion-that the duties were always added TO the
price to the consumer, Mr.. Randall said that
on articles not produced in this country this
doubtless was true as general rule, and meas
fta1a tn NJ IN
country, but not in sufficient quantities to sup
ply the home market. But on all commodities
produced in sufficient quantities to supply the
home market u different principle controlled.
In these things competition determined the
price. and the foreign producers came into
this market, where prices were liked,
and the duties were what he paid
for the privilege OF coming into the
market. Another erroneous proposition
that had been put forward was that duties on
articles produced in this country were a tax or
bounty, which the consumer paid to the manu-
facturer by which the manufacturer derived
large profits. Monopolies, Mr.. Randall said.
existed without the tariff. The Standard Oil
Trust and other trusts were not produced by it.
He was for protection OF labor in all States.
Referring to the late Secretary Mornings re-
ports on economic questions, he said that they
were marves OF honest, conscientious and eff
ective labor He quoted extensively from
them. He then took up the criticisms that
had been made on the metal schedules of his
own bill, and quoted figures sustaining his po-
sition.
In criticizng the Mills bill, he said that
large number of articles were placed on the
free-list, supposedly as free raw material,
which were really manufactured articles.
These were lumber, glue oils, clay, china, etc.
The bill placed on the free-list as so-called raw
materials various articles which IL would be
impossible to manufacture in this country ex-
cept by reducing American labor TO worse
condition than that Of the laborer OF Europe.
He asserted that instead OF reducing customs
revenue fifty-four millions, the effect would be
TO largely increase the revenue, while it would
destroy an incalculable amount OF
material wealth. He stated that the
bill would give free tin plates TO the
Standard Oil Company. and would impose
duty OF one hundred per cent. on rice. Itwould
make free the animals imported by the gentle
men OF the turf, and free statuary to the mill
ionaire. He said that he did not think the
adoption OF the committees bill would make
sure Democratic control OF the Federal Gov
eminent. He wou not be coerced by party
caucus The period OF the political caucus had
departed, never TO return, and yet the party
should confer and have unity, If possible.
In conclusion, Mr.. Randall spoke OF indus
trial development in the Southern States.
new era of industrial enterprise, he said, had
already dawned upon the South. No section OF
the country possesses greater natural advan-
tages than the South, with her genial climate;
her limitless raw materials: her mines OF coal
and iron, with abundant labor ready 10 develop
them. Considering what has been there
achieved in n single decade, what may not
century bring forth, under a system calculated
TO favor the highest industrial development
"When read the history OF my country, and
consider the past and present, and reflect on
what is before us, can not believe that the
idea which went down In the eonvulsion or 1851
will ever again dominate the destinies OF the
Republic
He aualyzed the metal schedule Of the Mills
bill, and declared II would bring about meal
culable injury TO the industries OF America.
He could find nothing in the bill which gave
return for free wool. He found many inequali-
ties in il, and discovered few features intended
TO relieve the poor or the laboring man. AS he
dwelt on these features Of the bill, his voice
grew louder, and he became almost eloquent.
He referred TO the declarations of his colleague
(Air Seott), who sat near, as supercilious, and
said he would consign them TO the obscurity
they should be cast into. He pleaded with
his Democratic friends not TO undo the good
which has been done the manufacturing in
dustries by the protective tariff, and read
from Jefferson, Monroe and other Democratic
forefathers 10 prove that protection
fundamental Democratic principle. He closed
with tribute TO the results and principles OF
protection, and asked that they be maintained
and maintained through the Efforts OF the
party that instituted them.
Messrs. Foran (O,) Dem, Wise, tVa) Dem,
and Kelley (Pa.) Rep, were first TO ex-
tend congratulations TO Mr.. Randall at the
conclusion OF his speech. Unanimous consent
was granted that the time 10 be given Messrs.
Mckinley and Breckenridge be extended with
out limit
Mr.. Mckinley began speaking at 1870 p. n.
large body Of members carried their chairs
from their desks and seated themselves about
the gentleman from Ohio, who began
by saying that his objection 10
the reductions proposed by the Mills
bill, was not TO the reductions themselves, but
10 the manner OF making them. The Repub-
Leans ia the House, he said, had for years
been ready TO reduce the income but they IN
sisted that the internal taxes should be first