Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-05-10
Mr.. WISES SPEECH.
TsE RICHMOND RxpRrsRNrArryr ON
TEE TARIrF.
Congratulated BY Democrats and Republi.
esns-Tbs Internal Revenue
The Mills Bill,
bon our Reealsr oorrn.nonA.n,

WASHINGTON, Nav 9--Mr Wise made IA.
tsrid speech IN the House to-day Before
BE- began Mr.. Houok, of Tennessee. had
pretty well emptied the House. but when
Mr. Wise rose, about O'Clock. the members
began dropping in, and before he had ia,rlv
launched into his speech he was surrounded
hs his Democratic colleagues, who testified
their appreciation Of his strong points Inv
Their frequent applause, while the Re.
Vuhbcans gave him close attention. The
msilcr OF his speech was well .prenared
aud iorcibly expressed, and bis delivery was
strong and effective. Whcn his time had
expired Mr.. Milliken, Republican, moved
f'r an extension. but Mir. Kennedy, also
Republican, who was 10 follow him. oh.
ioicd. As Mr.. Wise sat down he was sur.
rounded 10y the Democrats, who 1Ocked IN
congratulate him on his splendid effort,
several Republicans also left their seats 10
express their admiration for the manner Of
tac ,pccch, though they could not agree with
Us doctrines.
MI Wise in his opening remarks gave
short TfS1qae OF the present condition OF
The national finances, from which 1t M.
pears that at the end OF the present cur
rem. fiscal year there will remain In the
Treasury surplus Of $3.50, 900, 900, which,
With future accumulaiions. IL applied to the
reduction OF the debt aud the payment an.
Gu3lly Of the interest thereon, will be sufi.
c.cut for the eXtiuguishment Of all the out
sf8udng ~ cent. bonds at the date Of their
maturity IN 1891, and stu leave surplus of
over Sb0,0O00O0.
Tho circulation Of the country Is being
rrcdicssy Withdrawn from the channels Of
iIllc and from productive enterprises,
threatening financial disturbance and IN.
wiling schemes Of public plumber. From
tal, The necessity FOR some change IN our
financial system is apparent. The people
demand relief, aud our lingering will be
pursued with a whip OF scorpions.
he said that the reduction Of revenue and
taN3uon could be accomplished either by the
abolition Of the inlernaLreyenue system or
he changes IN the tariff, and spoke OF these
iw0 methods in turn, referring 10 the pend
ing hiil as a compromise between conflicting
opinions.
Upon the subject OF the internal revenue
Zee said:
The system OF direct taxation, known as
Che 'lutcrual revenue was resOrted TO when
trc country was in the throes OF gigantic
civil war. The first act by which Internal
flNr, were imposed was not passed until
lft,sn months after its outbreak, and even
then the fear WAS entertained that their i'm
position would interfere with its vigorous
prosecution. Excise laws are not compati-
rle with the temper OF our people,
and have never failed to arouse opposition.
] am not prepared 10 say that the present
system Of internal taxes msy be entirely dis
u,oscd with 40 this time, but am unalterably
opposed 70 ITS retention a. a permanent fea-
tire Of our financial system. Whatever
adherence OF opinion may exist a. 10
whether this system can be abolished
s. this time there is no doubt that
tHr tobacco tax may be dispensed
with. The aggregate amount collected from
TINT source during the last fiscal year was
H.oOp,O0O in round numbers. BY it, abO-
li,on We know that the reduction Of revenue
and taxation will be accomplished to that
extent. In no other way can We be so GER
tain as o. the result OF our action. Large
imq1rtauons might and probably would be
invited ~ lowering the rates OF duties upon
certain articles, and thereby the volume Of
revenue would be increased. BY eNorbitant
duties imporlati0ns might be prevented;
uuf 20 /. 10 be considered that no relief from
taxation would then be afforded TO the people.
Il am opposed to the retention Of any
portion 81 the tobacco tax, and Will move an
mcndment 10 the Mills bill 10 that particu.
lar. Tobacco Is an agricultural product and
The chief money crop OF Virginia, and there
+, no more justification for taxing it than
any other procuct OF the soil"
lie cited tables compiled by the Commits
sioner OF Internal Revenue, showing thst
nearly $3.50, 100000 Of internal-reyeuue
taxes have been collected in Virginia since
abe close Of the war, and claimed that this
heavy burden had not rested upon the con-
sumcrs alone.
lie then turned to the discussion OF the
tarJ and said:
.sThe Democratic party is under the obli-
alton OF u solemn pledge that the necessary
cductlOn IN taxation shall be effected with
cut deriving American labor OF the ability
to compete successfully with foreign labor,
sad without imposing lower rates OF duty
than will be ample 10 cover any
Increased cost Of production which may
exist in consequence OF the higher
rate Of wages prevailing IN this country.
The wage-earners OF the country should be
the special objects OF our care and conside-
ration. and they shall be deprived of none
OF the advantages which they enjoy by any
action al mine. | shall strenuOusly resist
every such change in our fiscal system
as will IN ny opinion entail upon
them the loss Of employment or d.
mmisb the rewards Of their industry.
But | cannot give my consent 10 the
r,ropo.,tiOu that the wages Of labor are regu-
lated by or are dependent upon the eN-
i.tcnce Of protective duties. They are
higher i'm this than in other countries am
ready TO concede; but our WOrkmen are
indebted for this advantage TO other than the
tqrin-chieiy 70 the abundance OF cheap and
fertile lands. In the language Oi another
wages IN the States are determined, not IN
the factory, but on the farm by the
fxuonditure OF very small sum OF
money mau can obtain sufficient quantity
~ rich and productive land, upon which,
with moderate effort, he can dwell with his
family in plenty and peace. The rewards
~ .tcadv and frugal industry will be suiii-
rlent 10 supply all the necessaries OF lie
ana many OF is luXuries. Besides, every
Nan feels q peculiar pride IN The tooughl
that he owns the soil upon which ne dweis.
The citizen and immigrant can only be lured
from this tempting prospect by tue Dat OF
very remuneratiye wages.
.iBut while cannot give my consent 10
she oxtrayagant claims Of the advocates OF a
.y.tsm by which monopoly, and not hDor'
l.. been iostered and protected, am not
Tree Trader a. | understand the meaning OF
those words.
From the foundation OF the Government
take, collected at the custOm-house have been
tae ch!ei source OF Federal revenue anu
~Icb they must continue 10 be. am IN
f.,or Of placing the heaviest burdens upon
tlc shoulders OF the strong, and requiring
lie icwt i sacrifices from the weak
while firmly rooted In the belief that the
r,wer 10 9evy and collect taxes, duties, i'm
.1rts. and exciSes' was given 10 enable the
Government TO raise the amount OF reNe'
rar required Tor the OpltcS sPeSF
ti in the Constitution, l am I'M
wiling to GO % the extent OF saying thai
in 30, exercise We may not aud should not
discriminate in favor OF American Interests
While in favor Of a reduction OF taxes, be-
loving 81 10 be demanded by the conserya-
tive continent Of the country and conducive
20 ,ie general welfare, It is nv belief that
t0at should be accomplished In such form as
no, TO iniure any domestic industries, Du'
rather 70 promote their healthy GROWTH
81 am satisfied that any sudden WIN
Cr1Wal Of the advantages which have Deen
enjoyed 10y certain manufacturers woula oe
attended by ruin and disaster, ana tnat toc
coa.equence would be felt not only by those
immediately interested, but by those en-
eyed 10 other pursuits" am
SIR. Wise said that in his opinion the MUS
300 w9s a moderate measure, and that Ia Hs
r.....r.ll.r IT, Inrnrnilrnn ON WAVE an0