Omaha daily bee., 1888-01-05

all industries impartially, and that was to |
give TO all forms of American labor which |
have to compete with foreign labor that fair |
and reasonable advantage and protection |
which would give the American producer a |
home market for home products. The object |
OF the tariff laws was TO encourage home
in competition with foreign
rivals, as well as to secure revenue, and,
therefore, these laws should be as permanent
as possible consistent with the needs OF the
government American citizens were en-
couraged to invest their money in expen-
sive machinery and buildings, but they had
no special privileges, no monopoly. All
the world might, in this country, enter
into competition with them. The president,
however, seemed to think that they were
public enemies. To chase away successful
manufacturers by change of duties was to
legislate for the foreigner and against the
American citizens. The most important ben
efits conferred by the tariff laws was that
they not only diversified American indus
tries, but secured to the laborer employed in
the manufactures higher wages and better
surroundings and advantages than were en-
ioyed by laborers IN similar employment any
where III the world. The treatment of this
question by the president was delusion and
snare. Continuing, Sherman said he was
willing (as the president enioined), to take
broad and national contemplation of the sub
ject, with practical disregard of such local
and selfish claims as were unreasonable and
regardless of the entire country But he
could not do that and at the same time follow
the recommendations of the president. He
could not strike at the industrial interests
built up by the tariff laws. He could not
deepen and intensity the struggle now going
on between employers and employed by in
viting the increasing of compe,,
tition, gripping manufacturers and
reducing wages. He greatly preferred a
policy that would encourage home industry,
diversity home industry, discourage importa-
tions, add to the external and internal COM
merce, open new mines, increase raw mate
rals, light new furnaces, establish new roll
ing mills, factories and workshops, and
develope the wonderful natural resources of
the country He preferred that policy which
looked to the interests of the American peo-
pie rather than to those of foreign nations.
He preferred policy of reducing prices by
home competition rather than by foreign
competition, of cheapenmg raw materials by
increased production, by the Improvement of
rivers and harbors and by railroad competi-
ton In other words, he preferred the de-
velopment, increase and growth of the pro-
ductions of the country without regard to the
policy or theories or interests of other ma
tons. Whatever might be said of other ma
tons, protection to home industries (as en-
bodied in the tariff laws), was the best for
this country, and he, for one, proposed to
maintain it, even against the advice of the
president.
The remainder Of Senator Sherman's
speech was devoted to a careful and elaborate
explanation of our tariff laws and our
finances. In conclusion he said "The presi-
dent (any president) in his elevated seclusion,
approached only by flatterers and Office
seekers, should regard the interests and
honor of his country, its development and
prosperity, and the employment and happi-
ness of his countlymen as higher far than
the interests of foreigners or the develop
ment of their products"
Mr.. Sherman concluded his remarks at 2
o'clock, and Senator voorhees, took the floor
and began speech in defense of the mes
sage. He said contraction of the volume of
currency had always been policy marked by
disaster and suffering and accursed by every
friend of the general welfare of the country
But when that abominable policy was still
further aided and executed by snatching (as
it wcre) the money of the people from their
very hands at the rate of SlOOOO,000 u month
without necessity, excuse or pallation, every
honest mind had to revolt against such
wanton robbery. And yet, the day before
recess, the senator from Colorado CTeler),
had sneered at the idea of the surplus being
of any consequence and the senator from
Ohio (Sherman), had also declared mot by
cable from Paris but on the floor of the SEN
ate), that it was fortunate for the country
| that there was surplus Of S55, 600 in the
| treasury. 1t would benefit the senator if he
| should become the republican candidate for
the presidency next. summer to explain to the
| people why it was fortunate that their money
l. was gathered into the treasury in excess of all
| the uses, prescriptions and wants
| of the government instead of remaining in
! the pockets of the people There was in the
| republican press and among republican po-
| liticians determined, persistent and brazen
| campaign of mendacity on this subject, and
| it would continue in the councils and field
work of the republican party, day by day
| morning, noon and night until the frosts OF
next November come to wither and blast
| alike their falsehoods and their hopes. He
| denied that the president had departed one
| jot or tithe from the declaration of the last
democratic platform on the subject of taxa
| ton. Incidental protection to home manu-
| facturers always has been the policy of the
| democratic party. 1t was recognized in the
last democratic national platform. He re
joiced in every element of American success
| He was proud of the inventive genius OF
the country and of its vast establishments
| where skilled labor abounded. He would
| encourage them in their gigantic career OF
| development and usefulness, and he held that
| the policy of the democratic party had beer
ity and progress. That was the
only safe policy for American manufacturers
themselves. If it were once clearly under
| stood that manufacturers as a class amended
| that they be enriched by means of fraudu
lent taxes; that they accept the guidance OF
| the leaders af the republican party and joir
| in the praise, then indeed perils would envi
| ron the manufacturing interests of the coun
try such as were never known before. If tn.
| democratic party, with its record of more
| than fifty years in the administration of the
| government and it's frank and constant dccla
ration Of principles, was to be charged with
| the folly OF free trade every time an attempt
was made to modify the tariff, the people
| would very soon and very clearly find out
that such assaults were only made to divert
| public attention from the evil designs an(
schemes of plunder of which they
| We're the victims. Proceeding TO
| discuss the message of the president, he sale
it was pleasure to him to declare that thi.
remarkable state paper was true to the prin
ciples and teachings of the democratic party
| from its foundation by jefferson eghty-seveI
years ago to the present day. and that the
thanks of the laboring and business classe.
of the country were due to the executive fol-
his stand on that vital issue, and for present
ing it to his countrymen in such shape ant
light that it never would disappear until tn,
wrongs therein presented We're exposed anl
redressed, and until the outrages of overtax
alton ceased. Since the matchless and i'm
mortal inaugural of JEFFERSON on the 4th o
March, 1901, no communication had eve
emanated from a chief magistrate of thi
government more able, more elevated il
craftsmanship, more humane and benevolen
in its purpose or more conducive to thu
general welfare and good government thar
the message under consideration. Coming
down to the practical question of taxation
he was aware that there was many objections
to internal taxes, but on grounds far differen
/ from u desire to perpetuate enormous an,
unjust tariff taxes on the necessaries of life