Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-05-31

revenue reform was wrong. ard we should adj
vocafe absolute free trade" 1 m ght retort.
said the speaker. that If protection was
right, then absolute protection should
exist A Chinese wall should be built
around this country. Protection was carried
10 Its true emo IN China, which had \ protective
Chinese wall. The gentleman from Maine
made no reference TO the situation that now
confronts us-the necessity for the reduct-
ion OF the customs revenue.
Mr.. Carlisle then referred to the surplus.
every dollar OF which. he said. had been
wrung from the workingman. Gentlemen on
the other side regarded the surplus more as q
blessing than \ curse. There was no financial
condition dangerous TO legislative
integrity the present the
inevitable effect encourage reckless
waste. So long as surplus existed il was well
that il be applied TO the payment OF the public
debt. II was not right 10 collect great sums If
taxes for the payment OF the unmatured bonds
of the Government. Having quoted the figures
OF the late bond purchases, he said that great
sum had been paid by the laborer to the bond
holder in excess of the just interest due him.
This was done TO get rid OF the surplus AS the
situation was to-day there should be quar-
reling about insignificant details. II trouble
should come to the business interests of the
country, protection of the few to the detriment
OF the many would be 10 blame for it.
Protectionists, especially from New England,
had claimed that ruin would follow the Tariff
bill of 1916. He then quoted statistics TO show
that the reverse of this had occurred. He also
quoted figures TO show that in the years follow
ing this Tariff bill wages greatly increased.
The increase of the production of New En-
gland factories from 1876 to 1860 was unprece
dented- The manufactures OF New England IN
1850 exceeded those OF the entire Union in 1880.
1t was the manufacturing interests of New Ed
gland which had best reason to appeal for
further reduction OF the tariff. He predicted
that If this bill became a law and the effects
OF tariff reduction were fairly tested, the
New England Representatives would come
N-NI
duction in the interest OF all her people.
II they did not, other men would be sent in
their places. lApplause.l New England. under
a low tariff. had seen prosperity; she had seen
all her interests thrive, but she had not seen
vast fortunes accumulated in a few years.
Mr.. Carlisle read at length from tarirr-reform
speeches by Senators Wilson and Sumner in
1857. He quoted Senator Morrill, saying.
thirty years ago, that margin OF
twenty per cent OF protection was
all that was required. Resistance was offered
to-day 10 the reduction of duties aIording
three times the protection which he then
deemed necessary. Gentlemen on the other
side dwelt long and impressively upon the
commercial depression OF 1857. They said
less OF the depression under high
tariff. in 1873 Yet the Nation arose like an
awakened giant. and IN few months revived
from the distress OF 1867, but for five
long years strove to recover from the dis
tress Of 1873.
to the question of internal-revenue
reduction. While tariff receipts increased. IN
ternal-revenue receipts had been greatly dinnin-
ished OF late years. The internal-revenue
taxes were now restricted TO aBticles
which could be most justly taxed. Many per-
sons see reason why there should be any
duction of these taxes. The committee had de-
cided, however, TO defer to the division OF opin-
ion this subject and TO deal with taxes OF both
kinds. The arguments in favor OF making the
redu ction mainly on tariff rates were over
whelming. Yet, if he believed that this bill
would iniuriously affect any honest in.
dustry in this country, or bring distress
to any class of artisans, he would heSitate: he
would refuse to support the bill. But his
viction was strong ana clear that this bill was
not one to iniure, but one to stimulate, TO
benefit and to develop. [Applause.l The time
had come for 4 revision in the interest Of
justice, fairness and relief from excessive and
needless taxation. This the purpose and
the scope OF the bill.
Mr.. Carlisle read extracts from a speech If
Senator Sherman in 1871 or 1872, conceed-
ing, as he said, all that
urged against high protective tariff. and urg-
ing all that was now asked IN tariff revision
and reduction. The speeches were good read
i ng he rs sHid s they some
tor from OHIO, would only stand on such a
platform now he ought to secure presidential
nomination. In these speeches, as IN those pre-
Viously quoted from of Sumner and VIII
like good old Democratic doctrine. He did
not know where these principles were
more clearly stated than they were
stated by Senator Sherman in 1S7S
Labor, the speaker said. was paid out OF its
own product. The claim that a protective tariff
at the same time reduced costs OF products and
increased wages was utterly inconsistent and
unsound. 1t was manifest that the same
cause could not produce both enects-the fact
was that it produced neither. The increase in
the efficiency of labor was due to the increased
efficiency OF mechanical devices cooperating
with human labor. The laborer who studies the
operations OF high tariff can not fail to find
that the balance is against him The proteo
tionists promised a home market. Insufficient
for the consumption of all American produc-
ton. The population would have to be one hun
dred millions before we could consume
our own wheat. Our demand would have TO
be multiplied three times before the cotton
production could be consumed at home.
The promised home market could never be Sc
cured. The surplus must be sold at the prices
fixed in the foreign market. 1t was true that
the American product had some effect
in fixing the price in the for.
eign market, but the worlds supply and
the worlds demand fixed that price. The
product of pauper labor and labor OF every
lass and every cline entered into competition,
and must be met in selling in the foreign mar
ket The Am erican laborer and farmer know
that the markets OF all the world are necessary
for their products. They propose TO expand
and not restrict them. They know the policy
that brings prosperity and gives them the o7-
portunities to which superior skill entities them.
They will not be deceived by sophistry. They
want q market to buy and sell. and the right u
buy cheaply those with whom they must
compete in selling. and from whose compe-
tition no system OF protection could possibly
Irotect them
The speaker said that he would not be able
70 proceed further. There were subjects which
he had desired 10 discuss, but had net been
able. He thanked the House for its attention
Mr.. Carlisle was evidently suffering from
exhaustion and ceased speaking somWhat
abruptly. The close of his speech was the
signal for cheers, long-continued. and applause
shouts and clapping Of hand3 on the Demo-
crate side of the House. It 3:25 p.
when Mr.. Carlisle concluded. and at half
past three O'Clock, on motion OF Mr. Mills
a. d.ba