The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-04-26
THE SENATE.

Mr.. Voorhees, Induiges Once More I'm the
Greatest Effort of His Life"
WASHINGTON, April 25.-The House bill CIV
ing to the city of Grand FORKS. D. r.. the right
to build two free bridges across the Red river OF
the North. was passed. with an amendment
Mr. Mitchell offered resolution, which was
adopted. calling on the Secretary of the Treas
ury for copies of the reports of special agents
Beherer and Tingle as to alleged smuggling of
opium from British Columbia.
The motion to refer the Presidents message
was taken up, and Mr. Voorhees, proceeded to
address the Senate thereon. He said that an
extensive discussion Of the tariff in the Senate
and House left no doubt as to the attitude OF
the Republican party on the question, and it
had at last been forced to throw away masks
and false faces and to admit that taxation was
not to stop at the revenue line Of the govern
ment but was to be turned loose, without limit
and without shame. the labor of the people,
for the sole purpose of enriching favored
few--a syndicate of devourinR, insatiate
nonopolists. The Republican party leaders,
driven by madness to suicide and harikari, were
going before the American people opposing
every reduction of taxes except those paid by
tobacco and alcoholic spirits. He did not intend
that the issue should be lodged in the COM
ing political campaign, at least in Indiana TIE
position of the Republican party might be de-
scribed thus: First taxation not TO be limited
by the expenses of the government, with view
to the protection of manufacturing monopolists
second. all the protection given and all it's
profits to enure to the further enrichment OF
capitalists, but not dollar OF it TO the laboring
man and woman: third, that if any reduction oe
taxes was to take place, it must be alcoholic
liquor and tobacco, and not on the prime neces-
saries of life.
Passing to the charges that the Democrats in
Congress have been hostile to the Union soldiers
in the matter Of pensions, he contrasted the ac-
tion of both parties in that matter and claimed
that the Republicans had made mean and par
simoniouS record toward the soldiers. and that
rank and bitter injustice had been done them
by provisions of law under Republican sway,
while the Democrats in Congress and in the ex-
ecutive Offices had been liberal in the EXTREMIST
sense.
Referring to the attack made in the Senate
upon the memory of Mcclellan and Hancock, ha
said the presiding officer OF the Senate, holding
the highest official position now held by Re-
publican, had descended TO the floor and attacked
the memory of American heroes who were sleep
ing where flowers and tears were annually COM
minled on memorial day, resting from their glo-
rious lives in the quiet bivouac of the dead The
priatsly performed by one whose own conspic-
uous daring in arms had given him the generous
right of chivalrv to speak in their praise 1t was
burn could reach Mcclellan or Hancock with
assurances Of sheir country's devotion and love-
Can honor's voice provoke the silent dust.
Or dattery soothe the dull, cold ear Of deathl
No. but the voice of the Senator from Ken
tucky on that occasion had been an honor to
American manhood and to American soldiery.
There were suggestions, however, inspired by
the wanton and astounding assault OF the Sena-
tor from Kansas which would OF speedily pass
from the public mind. The Senator. reeog-
nized leader of his party. had stood in his place
IN the Senate and denounced two great Union
generals as traitors TO their country. allies or
the confederacy. and no word Of dissent or re-
buks had been uttered by q single associate IN
either house Democrats had waited ana some
had wondered. but the silent acQuiescence IN the
horrible charges remained unoroken
Mr. Voorhees, proceeded to draw vivid piet-
ures or events during the war, beginning with
the scenes In Washington on the night OF the
irst bat lls of Bull Run, when the wearied RaIlop
Of the courier could be beard no he came over
the Long bridge. and reaches the war Depart
In that hour OF national extremity MeClelian
had been called by despairing official authority
TO perform task greater far than was eyer per-